Just considering buying an XM that apparently needs front sphere replacement, and wondering how big a job this is, but I can't seem to find any description anywhere of how to do it. Any pointers?

I don't know where you are but I drove from Scotland to Manchester to Westroen Spheres, replaced all 8 spheres in 90 minutes, cost £215 with a 3 year guarantee.
Worth the trip and worth every penny, car now drives like a dream

I second that, for a very small extra cost they fit them and guarantee them, we must encourage these sorts of business.

Front spheres are a doddle though but it is probably more than just them as they are the easiest. It is better to at least do the accumulator sphere as well but that can be a bit challenging to sy the least. I personally would get all 8 at least tested or for ease and confidence go for Westroen then you know that they are all good.

John

But it's such an easy job to do yourself

Its not that bad, if you have a ramp and an assortment of chain wrenches...and a hammer and chisel

In my twenty and some years of owning and driving hydraulic Cits I've never needed any other tool than a simple chain wrench to replace speres

To answer your question, the first thing to do is to de-pressurise the hydraulic system. With the engine running, select the lowest setting with the lever by the driver's seat and wait until the suspension has completely collapsed. Turn engine off and locate the accumulator and pressure controller under the bonnet. There is a bolt at the front that releases the stored pressure, undo it by no more than half a turn (there is a ball underneath that will be displaced if you undo it by much more. Wait until the hissing stops, then attack each sphere in turn with a chain wrench or similar. when the sphere is off, make sure the square section seal has come out with the sphere. Take the new seal, lubricate it with LHM fluid and fit it in the recess in the top of the leg, then screw the sphere home HAND TIGHT ONLY!

Don't forget to do up the pressure release bolt when you've finished.

Easy!

Derek

I will go along with Derek except that I have never found it necessary to release the accumulator pressure screw, setting the suspension to its lowest has always completely depressurised the spheres with the exception of the centre ones. With these it is necessary to slacken them a few turns, they will be fairly tight, and then wait for the fluid to run out, you will then be able to unscrew them by hand. The only way you can depressurise the centre spheres is by having defective diodes in the electrovalves - guess how I know.

When refitting them, smear some grease around the thread and only screw them in hand tight.

Peter.N.

with the exception of the rear wheel spheres - which should be cracked loose 1/4-1/2 turn under full pressure to prevent the strut from turning or you may shear the pipe.... unless you're lucky and they just spin off by hand when you've depressurised the system (worth a try first, perhaps).

Oh, and something about the anti-sink needing the pipe disconnecting first...?
dunno on this one as I've never had one.

Depressurise by leaving engine running in neutral, handbrake on, steering straight ahead, foot off the brake pedal, set suspension to low and run engine for 1 min without turning steering, openning doors, then switch off.

Funny though, went to swap the accumulator sphere on the '89 V6 the other day, figured it'd be tight since it was on the spare regulator when I swapped that on the car some months back after sitting in the garage for over a year, so bought a new chain wrench, looped over the sphere, applied force and felt like the chain slipped. Tried again, same - so reached down and found the sphere was turning easily

regards
Dave

Yes, but Jules asked for advice on changing the front spheres only, which I took to mean the front leg spheres. Of course if he includes the accumulator and front hydractive sphere then he will need to slide under the car - usual warning about having it on ramps or supports - but the spheres themselves are straightforward.

Derek

Hi All,
Had all 8 Spheres replaced by those excellent men at Westroen and the Lhm tank removed and the filters cleaned (which were filthy) all for £255 now suspends like it should, the Accumalator and the anti-sink spheres were a bit problamatic, Excellent job well done and not forgetting the 3 years warranty.

Regards,
Norman

How can they do all that for that price

Thanks for all the advice.

I'd seen Westroen's web site when I was searching for info on this, good to know they're as helpful as they seemed. I might take the car to them and get the whole lot done, although it is only the front wheel spheres that really need doing... knowing my luck I'd do those and a few weeks later the others would start causing trouble.