Well that’s sorted out my drooping front end what a difference. (1 Viewer)

[martin west dorset]

New front coil springs, struts & strut top mounts, on my Hymer B664 ducato X250 based, can’t believe the difference it makes now sits fairly level, hopefully this will make it much more user friendly when setting up level on sites & hopefully won’t knock my teeth out when hitting potholes in the road, the first 2 photos are from before it was done the second 2 are from just now with the new suspension components It’s lifted it nearly 4 inches from the ground.

 

[LesW]

Blimey.. that has made a difference.

 

[martin west dorset]

Blimey.. that has made a difference.

yes having hit a few pot holes with it i decided that something needed doing, very pleased with the result, as its fairly labour intensive that why i replaced the struts & top mounts at the same time so hopefully wont have to worry about the front suspension ever again.

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[steve69]

That 1st photo -on the left - definitely does not look right. I would have thought that the tyre would be hitting the top of the wheel arch when going over a speed-bump.

 

[martin west dorset]

That 1st photo -on the left - definitely does not look right. I would have thought that the tyre would be hitting the top of the wheel arch when going over a speed-bump.

the suspension had hardly any travel nearly on the bump stops the image is decieving but the top of the tyre is well inside of the wheel arch moulding tho.

 

[stevewagner]

Great job

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[Jev88]

Similar effect on my old Autocruise X250 based Coachbuilt. When we took the old shocks off one was almost impossible to move and the other was so soft it was ridiculous.

 

[Fdhadi]

Be class 3 on the French motorway tolls it’s that much higher

 

[martin west dorset]

Be class 3 on the French motorway tolls it’s that much higher

No it’s still under the magic 3 meters so still class 2 on the French tolls.

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[ElliesBoss]

Did ours a few months back. Unbelievable difference.

 

[Beno]

Have you done the rear? I contacted Marquart who do a heavy duty shock but I don't want to pay the import charges so I'm waiting till I go to France next month.

 

[martin west dorset]

Have you done the rear? I contacted Marquart who do a heavy duty shock but I don't want to pay the import charges so I'm waiting till I go to France next month.

No only the front as the rear is the ducato heavy chassis with double leaf springs so it handles well on the back end.

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[donkey]

What springs did you use, are they just new standard or uprated? If so which supplier.

Geoff

 

[martin west dorset]

What springs did you use, are they just new standard or uprated? If so which supplier.

Geoff

Geoff, I used Kilen springs I think the part number is 12205 but I can check for you, they are reinforced motorhome springs the coils are approx 22 mm diameter as opposed to the originals that were 19 mm the Kilen springs are also longer than the original Fiat ones, I used KYB struts & top mounts, the bump stops and the strut protector covers I got genuine Fiat ones but afterwards discovered that KYB also do them at a fraction of the price, if you need any more details let me know, just to let you know my mechanic hated the job he said the worst bit of the job was getting access to the top mount nuts.

 

[Chuns]

I've always been irritated by the nose-down attitude of my X-290. Is that because the amount of weight at the front compresses the original springs a lot, and stronger (longer?) replacements make the vehicle ride higher at the front wheels?

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[martin west dorset]

I've always been irritated by the nose-down attitude of my X-290. Is that because the amount of weight at the front compresses the original springs a lot, and stronger (longer?) replacements make the vehicle ride higher at the front wheels?

I think that only normal chassis cab springs are fitted as standard when the motorhome body is fitted they really need uprated springs on the fiats, this is the first Fiat based one that I have owned all the others have been Mercedes based & never had that problem with them, but see lots of droopy fiat based ones about.

 

[Minxy]

I'm not surprised it's made a difference as the photos of it before look like they springs were well and truly shot.

 

[Paulypaul]

Did you have to strip the dashboard to access the top mounts?

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[martin west dorset]

Did you have to strip the dashboard to access the top mounts?

i did not do the job myself my mechanic i use did this for me but from what he said he had to remove the dash end sections & drop the fuse box to gain access, he hated the job & said he never wanted to do another one tho, i did see the scratches to his arms when i collected the van from him.

 

[Paulypaul]

i did not do the job myself my mechanic i use did this for me but from what he said he had to remove the dash end sections & drop the fuse box to gain access, he hated the job & said he never wanted to do another one tho, i did see the scratches to his arms when i collected the van from him.

Mmm, doesn't sound a nice job. I want to do the same though so it might be an idea if I strip out the interior parts rather than a mechanic struggling?

 

[martin west dorset]

Mmm, doesn't sound a nice job. I want to do the same though so it might be an idea if I strip out the interior parts rather than a mechanic struggling?

I believe once the access is gained it’s a fairly straight forward job with the correct tools to compress the springs etc, good luck with yours it really has transformed the drive ability of the van even over just a few miles as yet, hopefully will get to give it a good run of a couple of hundred miles in a couple of weeks time.

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[andyman]

Mmm, doesn't sound a nice job. I want to do the same though so it might be an idea if I strip out the interior parts rather than a mechanic struggling?

It’s not a bad job. i watch a mate do mine, took 4 hours including replacing the front pads.
No need to take the fuse box out as access can be had over the top of the fuse box. It is tight though, just be careful you don’t snap any of the bolts holding the leg on. They corrode in the suspension top, lots of lube and patience.

 

[Landy Andy]

As said above. It’s not a difficult job, just fiddly. The fuse box needs removing for the drivers side, and the glove box for passenger side. The lower arms do take a lot of leverage to out of the strut, and you need to be brave with the spring clamps. They are under some serious force. I gained 50mm at the front with the standard dampers.

 

[WynandJean]

Oh dear, I was hoping to get some idea how I might improve my drooping front!!!

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[Paulypaul]

As said above. It’s not a difficult job, just fiddly. The fuse box needs removing for the drivers side, and the glove box for passenger side. The lower arms do take a lot of leverage to out of the strut, and you need to be brave with the spring clamps. They are under some serious force. I gained 50mm at the front with the standard dampers.

So did you just uprate the springs rather than changing the whole strut?

 

[Chuns]

Sorry to be a pain, Martin, but if I were to have this done, is there a spec or part number I could give our local garage so that they can give me an estimate?

 

[martin west dorset]

Sorry to be a pain, Martin, but if I were to have this done, is there a spec or part number I could give our local garage so that they can give me an estimate?

If yours is a X250 ducato the springs are Kilen 12205 the struts & top mounts are KYB if you want part numbers of them I can let you have them next week when I am at work as the invoice for them is at work, the springs I got from e bay for approx £130 the pair including delivery.

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[Landy Andy]

So did you just uprate the springs rather than changing the whole strut?

Yes, i just changed the springs on mine.

 

[ElliesBoss]

What springs did you use, are they just new standard or uprated? If so which supplier.

Geoff

We got our +50mm springs and shocks from Koni so worth shopping around. But as already posted the difference is amazing.

 

[EuroTrotters]

I’m surprised it should need that kind of work at such a young age

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