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can anyone tell me what the middle sphers do. and how i would know if there is a problem with them.i can here a tic tic as the self leveler seems to be working overtime .thanks
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The front middle one is an accumulater sphere.
This sphere is a reserve incase there is any failings in the system, there will be anough preasure in this to bring your car to a stop when you press the brake.
The tic tic you here will be because the sphere is flat and the noise is the car trying to put presure in but can't.
You need to replace the sphere as soon as you can to bring things back to normal and have the knowledge that there is preasure there should some thing go wrong.
The rear sphere is an anti sink sphere which also supplys some preasure for the rear brakes.(I am sure sombody will correct me if I am wrong)
Hope that helps it's late and I am tired so may not make complete sense.
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Assuming your car has the suspension with 6 spheres, then as crazy says is correct.
Here are a few more pointers
Accumulator sphere
The accumulator sphere should not tick more than once every 30 seconds, if it does then it needs changing otherwise the HP pump needs to work extra hard to keep the reserve pressure, not only is this bad for the HP pump, but as you appear to be finding out the noise is irritating.
A few checks (along with the above) can be carried out to evaluate whether the accumulator is good or bad.
1) After you have returned home from your journey, switch off the engine, exit the car, wait for the suspension to re-level, then sit in the boot, the suspension should rise, if this occurs your accumulator sphere is ok. If you can do this twice then the accumulator is excellent/as new. If the rear does not rise then accumulator needs changing.
2) Leave the car overnight; switch on the engine, the STOP light should take around 10 secs to go out. If it goes out much quicker then the accumulator is shot.
3) With the car at idle, press the brake pedal then release, and keep doing this until you hear the tick. Ideally you should not hear the tick until you press the brake pedal 10+ times. If you are hearing the tick each time you press the pedal then the accumulator is gone.
This entire test should decide whether you need to change it, a fairly easy diy job, or £40 or so from a specialist.
Rear anti sink sphere:
The easiest way of checking is when the car is left standing overnight, restart engine, the rear should rise soon after, however the characteristics of a flat anti sink are that immediate after the car is started the rear of the car will sink.
The anti sink sphere isolates the suspension from the rest of the hydraulic system, this leave the suspension at normal height when left parked, so as to look normal
These two spheres are not related to comfort but safety- well certainly the accumulator sphere.
There are others xantia which i am not so sure on, hydractive I Believe has two more center spheres which affect the ride, and i think the activa models have two more spheres!
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Just about right...
The anti-sink sphere doesn't actually stop the car sinking - the anti-sink valve does that. The sphere may help the keep the A/S valve closed, but its primary function is to provide a pressure back up to the rear bakes.
Hydractive cars (Sport/comfort switch next the handbrake in front of the height adjuster) do have 8 spheres - one near the accumulator by the rad, the other up the side of the spare wheel. Activas do have an additional 2 spheres to the hydractive, not sure where they are though - some where near the front N/S and rear O/S where the Activa rams are I guess.
Back to the original posting, I'd agree that it sounds like it needs a new accumulator first, and then take it from there.
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
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thanks for the help with the spheres i will have to change them .do any of you know if there is a rubber seal on the rear middle sphere pipe .
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thanks for all your help does anyone know if there is a rubber seal on the pipe on the rear sphere.
{Moved to existing thread as related to it. DD}
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Yes, there's a seal. Readily available from the Citroen dealer, or specialist parts suppliers such as German Swedish and French. Only costs a few pence. If changing the rear anti sink sphere, ensure that you unsrew the pipe from the sphere first, before unscrewing the sphere. If you don't it has a habit of shearing the pipe off. Fit the new seal to the pipe, and don't overtighten the union.
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
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