2015 X290 BOXER / DUCATO REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS QUERY (1 Viewer)

[MC 55 FUN]

We've noticed that our n/s/r shock absorber is lightly misting oil @ 10,000 miles so we're trying to source replacements (as a pair), however it seems easier said than done, none of the usual motor factors seem to offer the correct spec' in terms of extended length which is 24 inches / 610mm.

If any knowledgeable funster has had theirs replaced, or knows where the parts can be sourced, or part numbers, we'd be grateful for any info'

Thank you.

 

[Boringfrog]

Not an alko chassis is it?

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Not an alko chassis is it?

No, it's a standard Peugeot M.W.B. , which is why I find it odd in the extreme that I can't seem to find something simple like shock absorbers, the garage insist the 19'' long ( when uncompressed ) versions that everyone sells are too short, I can't imagine that Elddis uprate all the shocks when they add the hab' box, or they'd have thousands of brand new shocks as fitted by Sevel sitting around.

The only other answer is that they've been changed prior to my ownership, again I doubt that,as we bought it at just 2.5 years old / 8000 miles

It's a conundrum I can't understand.

 

[tonyidle]

What do yours measure when loaded? Uncompressed length is less important (unless you regularly get air over canal bridges) .

 

[MC 55 FUN]

What do yours measure when loaded? Uncompressed length is less important (unless you regularly get air over canal bridges) .

At the moment, with an almost empty van, the semi - compressed fitted length of the intact shocker is 19 inches, end to end, give or take a smidge.

I'm thinking the garage have made a mistake, as Peugeot, Fiat nor any motor factor that I've found after 2 days of research, lists shocks longer than 19.25 inches for this extremely common vehicle.

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[tonyidle]

At the moment, with an almost empty van, the semi - compressed fitted length of the intact shocker is 19 inches, end to end, give or take a smidge.

I'm thinking the garage have made a mistake, as Peugeot, Fiat nor any motor factor that I've found after 2 days of research, lists shocks longer than 19.25 inches for this extremely common vehicle.

That does appear to be short. If that was a panel van with no load I'd expect it to need at least another couple of inches. Even your mh, on undulating roads, would be topping out with 19.25 inch dampers.

 

[MC 55 FUN]

That does appear to be short. If that was a panel van with no load I'd expect it to need at least another couple of inches. Even your mh, on undulating roads, would be topping out with 19.25 inch dampers.

I agree with you, the Moho is the common 3.5t g.v.w. version - the same as most Boxer / Ducato / Jumper panel vans, & given that interpretation, i wonder where / why / how did these longer shockers get fitted ?

It must be either Elddis or the previous owner,( unlikely i.m.o. ) or almost unbelievably Sevel, there are no part numbers or identification marks on the existing shockers, so quite how I'm going to identify & locate shocks / dampers with an adequate load rating & the correct diameter mounting eyelets & correct length is puzzling to say the least . . the moho sits as one would expect it to a.t.m. - neither high or low at the rear end.

Given that there must be at least hundreds of 195's in service, some of which must have had replacement shockers fitted, I'm surprised there's no mention on the net / forums of this issue.

Would you expect a higher g.v.w. vehicle / chassis to have longer shocks ?

Do you think it's possible to approach a manufacturer with the relevant specs' & obtain the correct parts ?

 

[Geo]

Boxed wrong from suppliers, happens!!

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Boxed wrong from suppliers, happens!!

Possible Geo, but several different suppliers have all sent the same length shocks to the garage & I can understand why & that's because all the motor factors that I've found & Peugeot & Fiat, list shockers that are circa 19'' inches long as being the correct fitment for this vehicle, yet the ones fitted are longer by several inches ?

 

[gus-lopez]

Get underneath and clean off and check the numbers stamped on it. Or take off and do it.

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[MC 55 FUN]

Get underneath and clean off and check the numbers stamped on it. Or take off and do it.

I've had a grovel underneath & the shocks are squeaky clean with no easily visible evidence of manufacturer or labels or marks, which does seem odd I admit, I would like to remove one with Moho in situ' on the drive & thoroughly inspect it but not sure I'm capable of doing it safely & my only other option is to return it to our very local garage & pay them to remove it so I can inspect & measure it personally.

 

[rb62]

Have you tried Coastal Motorhomes?

https://coastalmotorhomes.co.uk/

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Have you tried Coastal Motorhomes?

https://coastalmotorhomes.co.uk/

Yes ! I found them during my research & spoke to the very helpful bloke there several times, they do list Magneti Marelli shockers @ £102 per pair (the exact same part number at Peugeot are £176 each . . ) as the correct fitment, but alas these o.e.m. shocks are also 19.25'' long as I asked him to measure them before I purchased.

 

[rb62]

Yes ! I found them during my research & spoke to the very helpful bloke there several times, they do list Magneti Marelli shockers @ £102 per pair (the exact same part number at Peugeot are £176 each . . ) as the correct fitment, but alas these o.e.m. shocks are also 19.25'' long as I asked him to measure them before I purchased.

Just thought they might have come accross longer ones as they 'specialise' in parts for MHs.
The hunt continues....good luck

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Just thought they might have come accross longer ones as they 'specialise' in parts for MHs.
The hunt continues....good luck

Well, they might have done, although they don't list that many shock absorbers on their business website or their e-bay listings & of course matching length & load rating & fitting eyelet diameter isn't easy I suppose.

I'm perplexed at how difficult this search is for such a simple part for a common as muck vehicle with a standard 3.5t chassis / platform

Thanks for your suggestion though

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[tonyidle]

If you are able to get to the mountings easily the dampers are not loaded or sprung in any way. Seems to me that's the only way you'll be able to take one to a few suppliers for them to match.

 

[MC 55 FUN]

If you are able to get to the mountings easily the dampers are not loaded or sprung in any way. Seems to me that's the only way you'll be able to take one to a few suppliers for them to match.

Thanks Tony, the top & bottom mounting points are easily visible, does the moho need jacking up & the wheel off do you think ?

 

[tonyidle]

Thanks Tony, the top & bottom mounting points are easily visible, does the moho need jacking up & the wheel off do you think ?

Not if you can reach the fasteners without doings. The dampers only damp - the mh will sit quite happily on it's springs as it does now. Some dampers are gas-filled but this only means they move slowly to full extension once removed - and can easily be compressed by hand so there's no danger whatsover when removing them. The gas is only there to stop the damping fluid from frothing in use. There's no real pressure and I only mention it so you aren't surprised to find the damper extending itself once removed. Your biggest worry, as ever, is finding a seized fastener difficult to undo.

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Not if you can reach the fasteners without doings. The dampers only damp - the mh will sit quite happily on it's springs as it does now. Some dampers are gas-filled but this only means they move slowly to full extension once removed - and can easily be compressed by hand so there's no danger whatsover when removing them. The gas is only there to stop the damping fluid from frothing in use. There's no real pressure and I only mention it so you aren't surprised to find the damper extending itself once removed. Your biggest worry, as ever, is finding a seized fastener difficult to undo.

Thank you, I do / did expect the damper to expand a tad upon removal, my concern was more the apocalyptic vision of seeing the moho collapse as I removed the the damper !

I'm hoping there's a '' normal '' shaped nut at the back of the eyelet fixings as the front view is of a star shaped bolt.

It's now evident that the fitted dampers are non standard for whatever reason & I agree that the only way I'm going to identify & locate replacements is by removal & I'd rather remove myself than leave the moho stranded at the garage for an infinite time.

 

[tonyidle]

Thank you, I do / did expect the damper to expand a tad upon removal, my concern was more the apocalyptic vision of seeing the moho collapse as I removed the the damper !

I'm hoping there's a '' normal '' shaped nut at the back of the eyelet fixings as the front view is of a star shaped bolt.

It's now evident that the fitted dampers are non standard for whatever reason & I agree that the only way I'm going to identify & locate replacements is by removal & I'd rather remove myself than leave the moho stranded at the garage for an infinite time.

That's what I thought. Better you spend time hunting them down than have someone else do so whilst the mh is in a garage.

The star shaped bolt might fit a normal 12 point socket or ring spanner rather than being a star-drive - easily checked.

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[Lenny HB]

You say its a standard chassis but is it a Chassis cab or the Camper chassis? If it is the Camper chassis that could be your problem.

 

[MC 55 FUN]

That's what I thought. Better you spend time hunting them down than have someone else do so whilst the mh is in a garage.

The star shaped bolt might fit a normal 12 point socket or ring spanner rather than being a star-drive - easily checked.

Thank you, having seen the excessive price difference between identical parts dependent on source, ideally I now want to at least source the parts myself & fit them, although I'm not adverse to paying the garage to fit them & agree that I'd rather have the disabled moho on my drive than in the garage.

The last M.O.T. in June identified the issue as just an advisory, so after we go to & return from Broadway & Tewkesbury in a couple of weeks I'll commence

In the meantime I'm going to call Hymer / Elddis & enquire as to whether they modify the dampers on this model - I don't expect much help but we'll see.

 

[MC 55 FUN]

You say its a standard chassis but is it a Chassis cab or the Camper chassis? If it is the Camper chassis that could be your problem.

Thank you, that's a good & interesting question, I'll admit I'm somewhat dangerously assuming it's the standard 3.5t g.v.w. X250 / X290 platform chassis as manufactured by Sevel in their millions.

How would I be able to distinguish between the two ?

 

[tonyidle]

I've just checked. The bolt will be a 12 point that takes a normal socket or ring spanner.

 

[MC 55 FUN]

@Lenny HB

Hymer state :

The Autoquest Range, unlike most other motorhomes, is built on a standard Peugeot chassis, which we do not modify. Keeping the integrity of the Peugeot chassis gives the Autoquest unrivalled driving qualities.

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[Lenny HB]

Thank you, that's a good & interesting question, I'll admit I'm somewhat dangerously assuming it's the standard 3.5t g.v.w. X250 / X290 platform chassis as manufactured by Sevel in their millions.

How would I be able to distinguish between the two ?

Chassis has a single rail on the Camper so the body sits lower, chassis cab has double height chassis rail, the rear track is wider on the Camper, should be able to check via the VIN.

 

[Lenny HB]

@Lenny HB

Hymer state :

The Autoquest Range, unlike most other motorhomes, is built on a standard Peugeot chassis, which we do not modify. Keeping the integrity of the Peugeot chassis gives the Autoquest unrivalled driving qualities.

Found your answer then.

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Found your answer then.

According to Hymer, yes I have, but not the answer to why the dampers aren't standard Peugeot / Sevel fit though.

 

[Lenny HB]

Eldiss should be able to give you the part number.

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Eldiss should be able to give you the part number.

I've called Hymer & they say they will get back to me with any info -when that will be is anyone's guess I suppose.

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