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Rear spheres for a 2.2Hdi C6 |
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ReaperCushions
 
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  Member No: #5805
Location: Scottish Highlands |
Hoping the C6owners hive mind can help me with my quest. I'm hoping to get the front and rear corner spheres replaced with new units but being a 2.2Hdi the sphere specification is different to most of you who own the 2.7 and 3 litre diesels. However, I'm hoping someone out there can guide me. Have a look at the attached extract of the IFHS catalogue. Can anyone explain what the letter notation means at the end of each part number? Eg. the front corner spheres are part# C650 RH. Breaking the part number down:- C6 - the model of car 50 - 50 bar pressure R- rear? H - ?? Similarly, for C670 FQ, C654 FH and C637 RR, what does the final letter R and Q stand for? A separate issue. I'm told that the rear IFHS corner spheres for my 2.2Hdi are no longer available and that Citroen are now specifying - due to inventory consolidation or something - rear corner spheres from a C5X7. (C5X7 catalogue extract also attached.) I know the 2.2 Hdi C6 has a similar suspension to the C5X7 but it would seem that the C5 rear spheres are at 40 bar for the C5 instead of the original 50 bar spec my C6 left the factory with. Is this difference in pressure likely to be noticeable when driving the car? My intended supplier informs me that the IFHS front spheres for the 2.2 Hdi C6 are available, although I'm going to quiz him more about that because the part number C654 FH seems a bit unicorn-like when poring over the IFHS catalogue. Similar for the C637 RR rear centre spheres and single front centre sphere, C670FQ. Any insights appreciated.   |
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Hattershaun
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  Member No: #320
Location: Bedfordshire, UK |
If you want the best ride comfort from your suspension, I’d recommend you change all the spheres, unless you have already checked sphere pressures to know which ones need changing. Maximum comfort is obtained when all 7 spheres are being used to absorb road bumps. The regulator spheres are switched out of the hydraulic circuit to give a stiffer ride. 2.2HDi C6 spheres have a damper valve in the neck of each sphere, including the regulator spheres, unlike the V6 engined C6 where the variable damping unit is built into the sphere mounting block. IFHS part numbers. I believe the F or R is Front or Rear. I believe the last letter relates to the damper valve specification & the details don’t appear to be public. I would notice the difference between rear spheres at 40b rather than 50b, assuming the same damper valve; not everyone would though! But C5 may behave differently compared to C6 due to weight of car over the rear end, different damper valves & other factors like how the ECU controls the regulator spheres. I reckon at 5b below original specification, a deterioration in ride comfort is noticeable, even if the ride is still acceptable. I have the spheres fitted to my cars refurbished by Pleiades. That includes regassing to correct specification (or a different pressure if you want to alter the suspension characteristics), plus a fresh coat of paint & a new rubber seal. You can either take your car to them in Sawtry, Cambridgeshire or remove the spheres from your car & send them there - obviously you won’t be able to use your car temporarily. |
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ReaperCushions
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Member No: #5805
Location: Scottish Highlands |
Many thanks for getting back to me. Very useful information. All the car's spheres were checked and re-pressured by Pleiades in the summer of 2024 but when the two front corner ones were sent back to them to be checked recently they had failed completely and were condemned. MGMike then fitted a couple of used front corner spheres that were in his possession. So, I'm hoping that most of the other spheres are OK...or maybe not! MGmike commented that the rear right sphere may not be performing adequately. At the moment I'm contemplating just fitting new front corner spheres since the MGMike's used ones are of unknown pressure although perform acceptably. Maybe get the rear ones changed for new ones too. In the near future I might replace the front and rear centre spheres and see if there's any incremental improvement in the way the suspension performs. |
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cruiserphil
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  Member No: #38
Location: Celbridge |
Hello ReaperCushions, If the sphere diaphragm is not burst by the internal spike I would go for a recharge. I recharged all spheres on our ex 2007 2.7HDi with the tecnosir system several years ago and then recharged them about two years ago and they were as good as new. The new owner complimented me on the ride comfort of the car. Those spheres are now 18 years in service. Best regards, Phil C. |
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Hattershaun
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Member No: #320
Location: Bedfordshire, UK |
Good to hear your extra information, ReaperCushions. Think I’d try a pair of new front outer spheres for starters. Just my opinion, but I think the factory original spheres are built to a higher standard than some of the aftermarket ones & can be a better alternative to have them regassed. |
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ReaperCushions
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Member No: #5805
Location: Scottish Highlands |
Hattershaun, I think you're right, starting with just the front corner spheres is probably the most prudent approach in the short term. I have to say though, I'm not 100% confident about the fairly recently re-gassed rear spheres but will monitor their performance for a while longer. I'd heard that factory original spheres were supposed to be of superior construction (better membrane) so should perform better in the long run compared to lesser aftermarket products. However, it almost makes sense just to fit decent quality brand new aftermarket spheres than have old OE spheres removed, re-gassed and shipped back & forth. Testing/re-gassing is circa £32 per sphere at the moment + shipping both ways, so call it £50? A new IFHS sphere comes in around £75 delivered and comes with the convenience of being able to be bought in advance and fitted instantly. I'll pilot this approach as it seems to make sense, albeit with a penalty of a few ££ and, of course, waiting around for a week or more for reconditioned spheres to be sent/re-gassed/returned would mean the car being out of action for a week or longer. |
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cit-rotti
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Member No: #3753
Location: Bayern |
The original suspension ball from the C6 without AMVAR has a damper insert that is correctly matched to the vehicle. IHFS generally offers a suitable replica ball. Unfortunately, IHFS spring balls are rarely supplied as an exact match for stock reasons - although the tarrier pressure is correct, the damper inserts fit different vehicles and are a compromise. The diaphragms also do not last very long. It is usually more sensible to have the original ball (3-fold diaphragm) refilled. However, it should be filled 5 bar higher - then the suspension is somewhat softer. New original spare parts usually have 5 bar more, so that the customer feels a softer suspension immediately. |
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cruiserphil
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Member No: #38
Location: Celbridge |
Hello Cit-rotti, Thanks for that info on the +5 bar pressure. Will try that when I'm regassing the 09 car spheres. Best regards, Phil C. |
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ReaperCushions
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Member No: #5805
Location: Scottish Highlands |
Excellent knowledge and suggestions. Many thanks to one and all. What a great forum this is! |
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