Replacement spheres

To start with, these are the spheres originally fitted:

Model and ORGA Part number Volume
[ccm]
Pressure
[bar]
Bore
[mm]
Citroën Tecnosir
Front spheres
BX 11 Berline/Break
–3877
95 630 572 401550 500 55 1.80
BX 14 Berline/Break 95 564 253 241550 400 55 1.80
BX 15/16/17/19/D Berline/Break
–3877
3878–

95 630 572
96 024 563

401550
401553

500
500

55
55

1.80
1.65
BX 19 GTi
–3877 (inc. Sport & 4x4)
3878–

95 630 610
96 024 568

401552
401551

400
400

55
55

1.65
1.40
BX 19 GTi 16V 96 002 148
96 087 641
401450
?
400 45 1.25
BX 17 xD turbo 96 024 568 401551 400 55 1.40
BX 14 Berline GE*
BX 11/16/19/D Berline GE* –3877
BX all Breaks GE* –3877
BX all Breaks GE* 3878–
BX 19 GTi GE*
with ABS GE*
95 564 255
95 630 575
95 630 575
96 024 565
96 024 569
96 002 145
?
?
?
?
?
?
400
500
500
500
400
400
55
?
?
55
?
?
1.80
?
?
1.65
?
?
Rear spheres
BX 11/14/15/16/19/D Berline 95 564 974 562400 400 40 1.10
BX 11/14/15/16/19/D Break
–3877
3878–

95 606 143
96 024 566

342400
402401

500
500

40
40

1.30
1.10
BX 4x4 95 564 252 402402 400 40
BX Sport 95 630 609 402302 400 30 1.10
BX 19 GTi 95 635 425 402400 400 40 1.10
BX 19 GTi 16V
BX 19 GTi
with ABS
96 002 158 402301 400 30 0.70
BX 17 xD turbo Break 96 032 914 402403 500 40 1.00
BX all Berlines GE*
BX 11/14/16/19 Break GE* –3877
BX 11/14/16/19 Break GE* 3878–
BX 17/19 xD Break GE*
BX 19 GTi GE*
with ABS GE*
95 564 975
95 606 144
96 024 567
96 032 917
95 635 424
96 002 157
?
?
?
?
?
?
400
500
500
500
400
400
55
?
?
55
?
?
1.80
?
?
1.65
?
?
* Grande Exportation: exported to cold climates

It seems that no matter how comfortable the suspension of Citroëns is compared to any other car available, we are never completely satisfied with it. Many of us have tried various modifications to make it just a little bit more comfortable. A very simple and straightforward way to try this is by using different spheres than originally fitted. Changing the pressure of the spheres is likely to ruin the stability and roadholding but playing with the restrictor hole diameter can be more rewarding (in fact, the so-called comfort spheres, which can be bought for some Citroëns—XMs for instance—, are the same: larger restrictor hole diameter, nothing else).

If you examine the tables, you'll see that Citroën has modified the suspension of the BX to be stiffer during the years of production. Also, sporty versions like GTi or GTi 16V always started with firmer suspension. However, the suspension elements fitted to various BX models are interchangeable in the sense that, if you happen to have a firmer setup, you can safely change it for a more comfortable one. Roadholding might be affected in a way: for instance, if you replace a GTi 16V with TRI suspension elements, you will naturally lose the sporty handling the car was designed for; but it won't be dangerous, it will handle just like the TRI always did.

The only other suspension element that goes with the sphere are the rubber bump stops inside the front strut. Some struts have two such stops, others have one, according to the sphere volume fitted. If you replace the sphere, you might have to take out one of those buffers, too.

For instance, my 19 TRI Break was originally fitted with 500 ccm/55 bar/1.65 mm spheres at the front. Last time I had to touch the spheres, I fitted 500 ccm/55 bar/1.80 mm ones, the ones actually used on the same model a few years earlier.

You can observe the same pattern on the rear spheres as well. On the Breaks, for instance, the rear sphere restrictor hole was reduced in the same way during the years. If you retrofit the earlier ones, the suspension will be better.