Raising front suspension on a Ducato

[seakay22]

Seems to be the case with most Ducato vans that the front end sits lower than the rear. I've got the Maxi chassis which has double leaf springs at the back and the difference in height between the front and rear suspension is 70mm ie on level ground the front needs to come up by that amount. Any suggestions or experience on the best way to address this? Alko do a replacement set of springs (Comfort suspension I think they call it) but I'm not sure how much, if at all they may increase the height. It's a 6 metre PVC.

 

[pappajohn]

Levelling ramps. A few quid.
Full rear air suspension...... £thousands

No practical alternatives.
I reckon the comfort springs will have a different compression rate but still the same height.

 

[chatteris]

had Dave newell fit new front springs and struts to my 2003 Bessacarr ducato, it has raised it by about 50mm and it feels much safer passing lorries on the motorway and in windy conditions

 

[Clipgate]

The previous contributor has it right, new springs and struts, the original ones limit the amount of travel, so with standard struts after a short while your back square one.

 

[ManTheVan]

We try to park with the front end slightly uphill if poss, or use the ramps, as I don’t want to upset the design geometry...

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[seakay22]

Yes, parking on an incline is what I've been doing whenever possible, it's just a bit frustrating having a 70mm difference over what is about a 4 metre wheelbase. With the ramps I've that I've got, I need the top tier on level ground and if there's any decline then I can't get close. If replacement springs make a 50mm difference I'd be happy with that. Because I also park up in places where I can't use the ramps it would just be much easier if the van was a bit more level. I'll try and speak to someone at Alko during the week, see what they say.

 

[Lenny HB]

Golschmitt or VB replacement struts will raise the front 50mm I think about £700.
Or do what we did and fitted full air £6.5k to £7k but we'll worth it.

Edit:
I see you have a Malibu so got to be worth going for full air.

 

[Stephen Franklin]

We had Goldschmitt Heavy Duty springs fitted at SAP, raised the front ride height by 50mm and improved stability and comfort a little.

 

[TheBig1]

goldschmitt struts are good, but not cheap, or you could fit strut spacers the same as some do with 4x4 vehicles. They fit between the top of the strut and the bodywork with a fixed lifting height

 

[teddybear]

On one of our German trips went into Goldschmidt factory and they booked us in for following morning at a very reasonable price the night we had to wait was on their site and was foc.made a great difference to the ride

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[GROMIT69]

We have an ih van conversion, we had different front springs fitted by SAP at Doncaster to make the van sit level, and change the spring rates .

 

[WESTY66]

We had Goldschmitt Heavy Duty springs fitted at SAP, raised the front ride height by 50mm and improved stability and comfort a little.

May I ask the ballpark figure for having the springs fitted at SAP? (You can pm me if you prefer) My Adria Sonic A Class sits a little down at the front and as I’m only 20 mins away from him. I might consider this option (love the full air but out of my price range at the moment).

 

[sally47]

Had mine fitted by SAP about three years ago took him about four hours cost about £500 then

 

[bigwood]

Our Duetto had new springs fitted before we bought it. It always sat down at the front making sleeping feet to the back was not very comfortable. It didn’t seem to affect the handling so we used levelling ramps on most sites.

 

[GROMIT69]

As sally 47 says I think it was about £500 we had E&P levelling system fitted at the same time , I notice a difference on roundabouts it does not seem to plough straight on if you are a bit quick going in , Mick and his boys are really friendly and professional

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[IanRJ]

I checked a couple of manufacturers of updated springs and seem to be around £420 a pair, and my preferred garage quoted £90 per side fitting.
HTH

 

[68c]

As an alternative to raising the front, can an Alko chassis be dropped at the rear, shorter shock absorbers come to mind.

 

[IanRJ]

As an alternative to raising the front, can an Alko chassis be dropped at the rear, shorter shock absorbers come to mind.

That may be possible but at least on my van the backend is so low I have to be careful on any bump or ramp or it will scrape. Even traffic calming humps can be an issue. Lower would be disastrous.

 

[WESTY66]

As an alternative to raising the front, can an Alko chassis be dropped at the rear, shorter shock absorbers come to mind.

You don’t want to be doing that, especially if you have a bailey with Alko chassis

just got quote back from SAP.....£840

 

[68c]

Raising the front will still lower the back, albeit not as much.

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[seakay22]

You don’t want to be doing that, especially if you have a bailey with Alko chassis

just got quote back from SAP.....£840

Do you know what shocks they fit and did they say how much height they might add?

 

[WESTY66]

Do you know what shocks they fit and did they say how much height they might add?

I’ll need to ask, that is for “comfort” springs fitted only!!

 

[chatteris]

new springs struts and top mounts were just over £800 at Dave Newells lesforjors springs I think and monroe struts but mine is an x244 chassis

 

[JuSu66]

I have a 2003 Bessacarr E765 on a Ducato x244 18Q chassis. The front has sagged and each wheelarch sits at 725mm (drivers side), 745mm (passenger side) and I estimate that it is about 60mm lower than the rear. After reading all the comments and alot of research, I've gone for new struts with uprated 'Kilen' springs (12152). These are designated 'Camper Springs' by the Swedish manufacturer. Also, it's only sensible to replace the top bearing, top mount, seal and plate whilst at it. All the parts have arrived and the springs are a significant uplift but will report back when all fitted. Current costings;

Struts - £110
Springs £120
Seals - £15
Top Plates £40
Top Mounts & Bearings £40
Bump Stops £25

 

[busby]

Golschmitt or VB replacement struts will raise the front 50mm I think about £700.
Or do what we did and fitted full air £6.5k to £7k but we'll worth it.

Edit:
I see you have a Malibu so got to be worth going for full air.

Will stick with my ramps I think..BUSBY.

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[Landy Andy]

I did just springs on mine and got a 50mm lift, which I’m very pleased about. Ramps are now required less.

 

[rb62]

Goldschmitt on the front of our A class Pilote

 

[Guigsy]

I went for the nuclear option and got VB Full Air fitted. They've left the front height alone and mostly lowered the rear. The ride is all round improved. The steering is lighter, it reacts a lot less to road imperfections and cross winds, so it's a lot more relaxing to drive. I suspect this is as much to do with removing the forward rake as the improved suspension.

 

[Beltie]

You don’t want to be doing that, especially if you have a bailey with Alko chassis

just got quote back from SAP.....£840

Have a word with Mick face to face, I think £500 ish is what most people pay. I paid £ 450 just under two years ago.