Suspension Fiat Ducato

[JCT]

I have a Birdsville Elite, late 2011, with a Ducato 180 engine.
The front suspension is now giving cause for serious consideration to change the front to the 'Kings springs' as per recommendations from other Ducato owners.
Before doing so I am wondering about installing air suspension and would welcome any comments, both for and against.
Your thoughts please. Colin

[SteveW]

Put the Kings Springs on and you will be delighted with the improvement. $750 - $800 is all you need to spend to transform the vehicle. They have a McPherson strut that is more than adequate. As a bonus your MH will be level and the water will go down the shower drain - all else being equal.

Of course, as someone else will add, the Fiat MH's should be equipped with them from the beginning.

[JCT]

Put the Kings Springs on and you will be delighted with the improvement. $750 - $800 is all you need to spend to transform the vehicle. They have a McPherson strut that is more than adequate. As a bonus your MH will be level and the water will go down the shower drain - all else being equal.

Of course, as someone else will add, the Fiat MH's should be equipped with them from the beginning.

*****************************

Thanks for your views Steve.

My thoughts about the air suspension were because the top of the rear wheel arches are showing some signs of being marked by the tyres.
I assume the rear has also 'bottomed out' a couple of times.

I should have mentioned this at the outset, my apologies for my omission.

Thanks again. Colin

[pet-els]

Rear springs may need resetting.
PeterH

[JCT]

Rear springs may need resetting.
PeterH

Thanks Peter,
I will have my mechanic take a specific look at them.

Regards
Colin

[troublemaker]

Contact Winnebago as they have a issue with the rear tires rubbing on the inner guard/ wheel arch flare.
They have repaired many as the wheel cutout is set to low




quote="JCT"]

Put the Kings Springs on and you will be delighted with the improvement. $750 - $800 is all you need to spend to transform the vehicle. They have a McPherson strut that is more than adequate. As a bonus your MH will be level and the water will go down the shower drain - all else being equal.

Of course, as someone else will add, the Fiat MH's should be equipped with them from the beginning.

*****************************

Thanks for your views Steve.

My thoughts about the air suspension were because the top of the rear wheel arches are showing some signs of being marked by the tyres.
I assume the rear has also 'bottomed out' a couple of times.

I should have mentioned this at the outset, my apologies for my omission.

Thanks again. Colin[/quote]

[JCT]

Have today had the King springs fitted and the short trip from FoleyFiat at Carlton to Heathcote where I store the vehicle indicated a substantial improvement to the suspension.

The total cost was $606.20 being $230 for the springs, supplied by me from RepCo, and $376.20 for the fitting and checking the toe on the tyres.
Gabriel at Brian Foley Automotive indicated the cost of fitting to be 'less than $500' but I was pleasantly surprised with the much lower bill. If I had been in the UK I suggest the bill would have been below the 500.00 at 499.99 I could have bought the K springs on EBay for $170 but decide to go to RepCo.

The front of the vehicle was heightened by an average of 63mm and the rear lowered by an average of 5mm.
The rear springs were, according to Gabriel, at the correct height and in order.

I now look forward to my next long trip in a months time.
My thanks to everyone for the help and advice offered.

[SteveW]

You did very well on the price!

[JCT]

Steve,

I have found FoleyFiat to be very good, genuine, fair, helpful and efficient in every way.

In addition they have a waiting room with TV and a coffee machine should you wish to wait whilst they service your vehicle.

Colin
(ps. I have no connection with the firm other than being a customer.)