Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
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Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
HI Guys,
Due to some great help on this forum, I was able to source some great rear spheres for my 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel. (Desire).
After all that however, my mechanic says he can't get the rear spheres off as they seem to be wedged.
Is there anyone who has faced this issue before and might have some advice?
Wondering if there might be a specialist tool for it or something?
Many Thanks,
Bryan
Due to some great help on this forum, I was able to source some great rear spheres for my 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel. (Desire).
After all that however, my mechanic says he can't get the rear spheres off as they seem to be wedged.
Is there anyone who has faced this issue before and might have some advice?
Wondering if there might be a specialist tool for it or something?
Many Thanks,
Bryan
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Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
Yes there is a sphere removal tool - google it for a pic.
Otherwise, if an oil filter type strap doesn't work (it usually does, especially if you wedge in a bit of sandpaper) you can get it to start rotating with a hammer and cold-chisel, aimed at the seam weld on the sphere, in a counter-clockwise direction.
BEWARE though. I think there's a tendency for the pipework to rotate with the force if the sphere doesn't undo so make sure to counter that force at the junction.
Otherwise, if an oil filter type strap doesn't work (it usually does, especially if you wedge in a bit of sandpaper) you can get it to start rotating with a hammer and cold-chisel, aimed at the seam weld on the sphere, in a counter-clockwise direction.
BEWARE though. I think there's a tendency for the pipework to rotate with the force if the sphere doesn't undo so make sure to counter that force at the junction.
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Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
eBay.
There are some on - white exec
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Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
Only clout (chisel, or special tool) a rear wheel sphere to loosen it with the suspension set to Highest, so that the rear ram/cylinder is firmly forced into its subframe seating. If the cylinder is slack or free to move, then connecting pipework can be badly damaged.
When the sphere has shifted by a few degrees, the system can then be depressurised (this is essential), and the sphere more easily unscrewed.
When fitting new ones, tighten firmly by hand only - not by a tool.
When the sphere has shifted by a few degrees, the system can then be depressurised (this is essential), and the sphere more easily unscrewed.
When fitting new ones, tighten firmly by hand only - not by a tool.
Chris
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Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
Thanks Guys for the quick response.
I talked to the mechanic again, he says he has no problem getting torque on the tool taking off the sphere but because its wedged on everything thats it attached to (bracket, pipes etc) is turning and bending too. He says that theres nothing to hold the brackets & pipes etc for the counter turn.
Any suggestions?
I talked to the mechanic again, he says he has no problem getting torque on the tool taking off the sphere but because its wedged on everything thats it attached to (bracket, pipes etc) is turning and bending too. He says that theres nothing to hold the brackets & pipes etc for the counter turn.
Any suggestions?
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and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S - x 1752
Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
Keep the cylinder tight in its mountings*, and use impact (not leverage) on the sphere . . . try an air-tool chisel. Thread on the sphere is RH, so anti-clockwise to undo. Likely that the sphere was seriously over-tightened when fitted.
* Tightest possible will be engine running (idle speed ok) with suspension lever set to Highest.
* Tightest possible will be engine running (idle speed ok) with suspension lever set to Highest.
Chris
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Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
Again, in case you mechanic does not know it, the suspension must be set to high before the car is jacked up and left in that position until both rear spheres have been loosened by 1/8 a turn. With the suspension in the high position, the cylinder is wedged into position and does not move even when you hit the sphere quite hard with a hammer.
And again, it is much better to use impact than steady torque, a good whack with a 5 lb hammer onto a quality sphere removal tool with a 12" handle never fails. If he doesn't have a tool that will stand that hammering, then a hammer and chisel direct onto the seam of the sphere is the next best thing.
And again, it is much better to use impact than steady torque, a good whack with a 5 lb hammer onto a quality sphere removal tool with a 12" handle never fails. If he doesn't have a tool that will stand that hammering, then a hammer and chisel direct onto the seam of the sphere is the next best thing.
- white exec
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1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S - x 1752
Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
One more variation on removal tool design...
Complete tool can be made quickly, if some welding equipment is available.
Circular ring easily formed by using an old sphere, the steel strip, and a vise.
The small side-strut linking ring to handle is essential.
The rigid (non-bendy) handle is about 30cm long.Complete tool can be made quickly, if some welding equipment is available.
Circular ring easily formed by using an old sphere, the steel strip, and a vise.
The small side-strut linking ring to handle is essential.
Chris
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Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
You are in the hands of your mechanic rather than wrestling with it yourself but here's my contribution to a previous thread on "sphere removal tools" more of curiosity interest than any great help to your current situation.
From the toolbag tales and homemade tools stable, this certainly removed a few well rusted cannonballs from 1.9td Xantias.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=54943&hilit=sphere#p501432
Regards Neil
From the toolbag tales and homemade tools stable, this certainly removed a few well rusted cannonballs from 1.9td Xantias.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=54943&hilit=sphere#p501432
Regards Neil
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Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
I have had this happen to me in the past on both of my Xantias. What I did on both was to make sure that the back of the car was supported (so if there was a sudden drop in pressure she couldn't drop down and crush me), with the suspension on high. Then, using a decent chisel and lump hammer, tap directly into the widest point of the sphere to create a 'biting point'. Once there was a decent purchase point for the chisel I angled the chisel to allow it to turn the sphere, and carried on tapping. After a while it started to turn (the cylinder was NOT turning), so I then switched to the other sphere and repeated the process.
When I replaced the spheres I made a point, every six months or so, to loosen off then then hand tighten the spheres. That meant that, when the spheres needed to be replaced again, they were not so tight as to require extreme measures to free them off again.
When I replaced the spheres I made a point, every six months or so, to loosen off then then hand tighten the spheres. That meant that, when the spheres needed to be replaced again, they were not so tight as to require extreme measures to free them off again.
James
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Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
Here's a another version that I made, the all-thread allows it to bite in to the sphere, as previously mentioned, always on high setting until you've got movement.
Pete
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Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
This is another variation on the removal tool, it's a genuine Pleiades one which has an angled head. Once clamped onto the sphere and with the engine idling, suspension on high as already noted, a couple of blows with a 4lb lump hammer should be sufficient to start it moving.
Ted
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Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
Weight in the boot will stop the ram from turning, I once got a family of four in their boot before it cracked.
BXs since 1993 built 1.9 TZD turbo, got a S2 Xantia estate, brilliant car! 2013, Xantia HDI LX 110 2000 new car with 122,000, l C2 HDI Rusty rocket, C3 Picasso HDI new to me.
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and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S - x 1752
Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
Where is our resident cartoonist?Stewart(oily) wrote: ↑11 Oct 2018, 00:11 I once got a family of four in their boot before it cracked...
Chris
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Re: Back spheres stuck on a 1997 Citroen Xantia Estate 1.9 Turbo Diesel
white exec wrote: ↑11 Oct 2018, 09:19Where is our resident cartoonist?Stewart(oily) wrote: ↑11 Oct 2018, 00:11 I once got a family of four in their boot before it cracked...
In the Pickled Egg, getting pickled!
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!