I have obtained 3 spheres for my car (legally! ) They are made by XL which is part of Remy International.

One is the main accumulator. The other two are centre spheres.

The accumulator is obvious but out of the other two I don't know which is front or back!

I thought I would be getting Amtex but these turned up instead. They are new and boxed.

Part nos are:

Accumulator: FPSXSP201

The others: XSP265 and XSP266

I can ask at the supplier but that might take a few days and I want to get them on this week.
Has anyone heard of this make? I haven't but they have been spec'd for my car.

Hi Demag.

Nothing to do with your sphere query, but I seem to remember you asking about my bio diesel supplier a while back. If of any interest (and you don't already know them) came across one that might be handier for you. Think they are called 'Ecofuels' --- they're on the Webnor Ind. Est, Ettingshall Rd, next door to Industrial Brakes. I think the ticket said 72p litre. Having used it for a while now, only real difference between bio and non-bio I've found, is the need for more frequent filter changes.

Mike.

Well this aint scientific but the front centre HA sphere usually has a volume of 500cc whereas the rear has a volume of 400cc. So the 'longer' one on the front and the normal sized one on the back.

That said Citroen messed around with volume and pressures over the years so they could be nearly the same size. Some are 450cc for the front.

Steve.

They actually told me which was the front when I asked, but they both look the same size.

I'll see if there's any more info on them later.

I've just received a full set of speres from Martin of Pleiades and the front accumulatoe is bigger.
I have seven on my car and I know the main four for the struts but where exactly do the others go? I see one between my engine and radiator but which one is that?
The rear accumulator is to be found behind my exhaust heat shield but the rest I am not sure of. Help!!!

Thew one between the engine and the radiator is the Main Accumulator (400 cc 62 bar pressure). The front centre accumulator is behind the engine - underneath - and is 500 cc with 40 bar pressure(Estate) or 400 cc, 50 bar (saloon).

Thanks Techmanagain, mine is marked main/brake accumulator, is that the one you mean?

Yes, the one marked "main-brake" accumulator should go between engine/rad, it screws on what is called the "pressure regulator". This sphere is your main accumulator, i.e. it is blown to about 170bar by the pressure regulator and acts as a reserve of pressure available at any moment for anywhere in the system (suspension, brakes, steering). Technamagain probably thinks of ht rear when he says 500cc/40bar estate or 400cc/50 for the saloon. The front hydractive spheres (that's the correct term) are either 450cc or 500cc, and 70 or 75bars depending on the year version.

George

Thanks George, now how do I remove it easily, it's in a very awkward position and I haven't found a strap wrench for it yet.

Where do'es the front Accumulator go? I have not looked for it specifically yet but often enough as I've been underneath the XM I have never even noticed one.
Bob.

Have you depressurised the system first???? If not, this is why it's tight. Don't attempt to unscrew a sphere with pressure in, it will spill LHM all over you!

If the sphere is seriously stuck, you could use a hammer and chiesel.

The front hydractive sphere (or "middle sphere") is roughly in the area under the gear knob, you should be able to easily see it from underneath.

The accumulator sphere is at front, between the radiator and the engine.

G

Ah yes! sorted it now.

The one that they told me is the front is in fact the rear!! It's actually marked 400/55 and looks very very slightly smaller than the other one.

Thanks Steve. I'd have never guessed.

So much for motor factors.

Thanks jorgy9,
I have'nt tried to remove any of them yet, trying to glean as much info about it all before I start. I have a good chain wrench and big stiltson but they wont fit the Main accumulator,
I have found a strong belt and a tool that can take a long 1/2 inch drive so will try that, and a hammer and chisel!
Regards. Bob.

Hi Bob,

You are welcome to borrow my sphere removal tool if you wish. However, it may not help for the main accumulator because there's not enough room to swing the handle without removing the radiator. Let me know if you want to borrow it. I don't get back into the country until the weekend so it would be Sunday at the earliest.

Cheers

noz

Well I had a right old day yeserday.
I couldn't get the car to the Indie so used a garage not too far from work. After he'd had the car an hour or so he rang me. He said the two centre spheres were different to the ones he'd taken off and what should he do? My logic was that the old ones may be totally shot so I told him to change them.

From what I can gather the stupid prats at the motor factors had supplied front and rear wheel spheres as they had restrictors in. I never realised that centre spheres look like the main accumulator sphere with a big hole in the middle.

When I checked on the GSF sphere list last night I saw the last part of the spec is missing for the centre spheres. All that's there is the size and pressure, no orifice size as for wheel spheres.

Anyway the old main accumulator was totally gone and full of lhm so at least that's ok now. However the old centre spheres look to be still intact and the diaphragms are still pressurised. One I can just move with a small screwdriver but I cant budge the other.

Does anyone know if I can get them recharged in the Midlands area at all? It would be a shame to waste them. I managed to find a Citroen p/no on one of them but I couldn't match it up with anything on the GSF list. Is there a more comprehensive list available?

Thanks.

Dave,

I don't know about the Midlands - but Martin @ Pleiades will supply you with exchange spheres for £16 each plus a £10 exchange surcharge. You'll get exactly the right spheres for your car at exactly the right pressure and the diaphragms will have been inspected. If yours are OK - you'll get your £10 per sphere surcharge back and he'll check and re-use them. His number is: 01487-831239. I think his stuff goes out next day delivery and you get a 2 year guarantee.

Maybe not quite what you're looking for - but worth considering?

Roy