This is our seventh Rolls-Royce & Bentley Driver Technical Guide, the series is entering its second year – and we’re grateful for all the positive feedback we’ve received to date. Having recently looked at routine service jobs and front brakes on our 2003 Bentley Continental GT test car, this time we’ll be looking at rear gas spring sphere replacement on a 1995 Rolls-Royce Flying Spur.

The job is interesting and common enough, but this particular car really is a bit special. Marked ‘Number 2 of 50’ on the dashboard plaque, finished in Wildberry Burgundy and with only 69,000 miles on its odometer, this was definitely one for resale rather than dismantling. And while we still have it here at Flying Spares, it would be rude not to show it off!

While the gas spring sphere process is similar on a lot of 1980s and ’90s models, even up to 2003 on the Bentley Azure, doing it properly involves bleeding the hydraulic system, and we can’t go into detail on that here without taking up the whole magazine. Remember, this is safety-critical – so for the hydraulic bleed part, please refer to your owner’s manual or, alternatively, call the Flying Spares Service Team who will happily provide the relevant info.

So, on to the sphere change itself. If you notice that your suspension has hardened or the car is riding higher than usual, this is a prime suspect. The aftermarket parts are relatively low cost, and so as you’re going into the system it makes sense to do both at the same time. In terms of tooling, you’ll need a good selection of sockets and screwdrivers, plus an oil filter wrench to remove the old sphere, as well as a bleed bottle and mineral fluid.

This is one of those jobs that can make a massive difference. Suddenly, your ride height will be back to where it should be, and ride comfort will be so much better that you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

In the meantime, the usual caveats apply. Please note that these articles are intended as general guidance only. For model-specific instructions, please refer to your owner’s manual.

Finally, and we can’t emphasise this enough: safety is paramount. Please use the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and dispose of waste products responsibly. Good luck, and mind your head! If you have any questions, queries or tips, please get in touch on 01455 292949 or email sales@flyingspares.co.uk.

 

Click the links for the step-by-step guide

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