Motorhome Mechanic - Replacing Rear Leaf Spring Suspension on a Fiat Ducato

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Did you know that only four bolts hold your motorhomes rear suspension on? Well in this video we replace the leaf springs and the shocks and we get close up understanding of how it all works.

[@anthonynagle]

Absolute brilliant video, you both make the best "mechanic" videos. I have changed my brakes and now tackling my rear suspension purely based on your videos. Huge huge thanks !

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Glad to help, @anthonynagle 👍👍

[@kevinadam9944]

Very useful video if I ever need to do it to my 2001 B584, which looks exactly the same underneath. There are lots of videos out there with people doing stuff in garages with ramps and other major equipment but seeing you do it on the driveway is inspiring.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Kevin. I'm glad you found it useful and inspiring 👍👍

[@metasudans]

Your video reminded me, nostalgically, of a similar situation from about 32 years ago, when I was replacing the leaf spring in the so-called Polish Fiat 126. In the front suspension. Located transversely. The old one was "stacked" and was relatively easy to remove. The new one had a different initial geometry and "tension". I did it alone, and it was torture. I had to use leverage and supports made of ad hoc cut boards. Good heavens, what a job that was! 😂😂😂 Best regards 👍

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

That sounds like a nightmare of a job, metasudans. 👍👍

[@TomRyall3]

Good mechanic he knows what he's doing!

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Gordon. I try my best. Oh wait, you mean Chas. LOL

[@TomRyall3]

@@HermanHitstheRoad 🤣

[@robdunn3650]

Great video,👍our Fiat Ducato lunar champ suffers from creaky leaf spring on the near side rear, sprayed mounts with gt85 and cured creaks for about 10 miles 😁, but after that .. creaking again…😳 so I’ve ordered white lithium grease, going to give mounts a good dose of this and see if it helps🤞🏻

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Yes, that's what I do, Rob. Try and get a big strong screw driver or crowbar between the leaves and then spray between then where they rub. You don't have to go nuts with the screw driver because you won't separate them, it just helps the fluid spread a bit more

[@robdunn3650]

@@HermanHitstheRoad great stuff, thanks a lot… happy motorhoming😁

[@louie888888888]

Good job well done go for air bags they are super and the cost is not to bad please keep this content it better than just driving video .

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Louie, thanks for commenting. I'm not sure what you mean by a "just driving video". Could you give me an example.

[@kennymosireland7069]

Well done lads .yea i liked it..easy to watch and understand. Thank you..

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Kenny and Mo. Are thinking about doing your suspension?

[@paulonthemove5543]

Really good video, I fitted an air suspension on my Renault Master work van from new with it's own compressor, and it is brilliant easy, comfortable ride, and I can let it up and down 125mm to load heavy goods.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks for commenting, @paulonthemove5543

[@anthonynagle]

Brilliant mechanic

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks @anthonynagle 👍👍

[@jimcrickmore1347]

HI HERMAN & YA BUDDY I HAVE A TALBOT AUTOQUEST 320 WAITING FOR A DRY WEEKEND TO REPLACE REAR SPRINGS GETTING THE 6LEAF FROM JONES SPRINGS DO YOU THINK I SHOULD REPLACE REAR SHOCKS ASWELL AS ITS A 1992 AND ITS HAD NO REPLACEMENTS AT ALL GOOD VIDEO NOT TO CONFUSEING CHEERS JIM SORRY CAPS LOCK STUCK ON

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks for your comment, Jim. It doesn't make sense not replacing the shocks. By the way, I'm Ads, my buddy is Chas and Herman is the motorhome 👍👍

[@colinbuckley5876]

great video thank you got a 97 boxer m/h

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Colin, so your m/h is simular to ours? Do you need to replace your suspension?

[@johnfitzpatrick2083]

Great vid with great information well done

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks John. We've got more to come. Do you have any jobs that you'll be doing.?

[@feelgoodwithfibro]

We just had ours done well worth it 🙏

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

That's great news, Feel Good Cafe. What motorhome do you have? 🚐🚐🚐👍

[@feelgoodwithfibro]

We have a weinsberg carabus Campervan, on insta we’re @vegan.campers. And thank you guys for all your great videos they’re very helpful and encouraging for vanlife 🙏🙏

[@gavinsteiner3759]

Hello thanks for your video, question is it easy to find replacement leaf springs for older campers mines a 1995 fiat. I’m from New Zealand but we’re in The Netherlands. Is there an auto shop I should look for? Thank you.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Gavin, I bought the springs from Jones Springs www.jones-springs.co.uk/van-commercial-springs/fiat

[@gavinsteiner3759]

Do you know if there’s any equivalent in the Netherlands. Sorry for all the questions.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

No, sorry Gavin. I'm sure Jones Springs will do international delivery. Give them a call or check their website

[@davidgranger3628]

Air rides are great BUT you will get a very hard ride .We wanted to carry a honda 90 on our MH and once we had a custom tow bar fitted the rear end drooped noticeably even before the bike was on it .We managed to source a second had air ride system but without the bike on the rear it was a hard ride even deflated .A great plus is levelling on camp sites 👌

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

We've now got air bags on the rear, david granger. They do firm up the rear but I wouldn't say they are any good at levelling

[@davidgranger3628]

@@HermanHitstheRoad hi ,perhaps they are different to the ones i had on my 89 Autotrail ? You could individually inflate each side and you got about 4" of difference which meant you could raise the back by inflating them both or either side by inflating one and deflating the other .

[@micksalter2]

Hi, we are about to purchase a new Mobilvetta K_yacht 90 Tekno line, it doesn't have a ALKO chassis, but Fiats chassis. Would you warn against buying one with the Fiat chassis and hold out for an ALKO, our worry is the squeaking rear suspension and road noise etc. If we went with the Fiat setup, how long will it take before we experience the annoying problems. Great videos by the way.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Mick, I don't know much about the ALKO chassis. I'm not sure what you mean by squeaking rear suspension and road noise. Our leaf spring suspension did squeak for a while but we sorted it by spraying copper grease between the leaves

[@mikerphone7039]

Excuse me if this question has already been asked 🙄 but l know you have now had air bags fitted to your van .. do you find the ride to be harder or not as im thinking of fitting some myself to my moho 😊 many thanks in advance mike ....

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

No problem, mikerphone. It is firmer. Less lean and roll when going round roundabouts and overtaking lorries. Have you seen this video yet? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIWngH-wi950oLM

[@johnveryan2872]

Were the front shocks bought together? Are they identical?

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi John, the front shocks are the same make and model but were not brought together. It wasn't possible since we had one go on us in Ireland

[@jimcrickmore1347]

HI ADDS & CHAS I WAS TALKING TO THE MOTORHOME HAHAHA NO THANKS I WILL GET A PRICE & REPLACE SHOCKS & WAIT TILL I HAVE ALL BITS CHEERS AGAIN JIM...

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Haha, get someone to help you fit the springs, Jim. Good luck and let us know how you get on 👍👍

[@nigelbailey8241]

Hi Ads & Zoe, Hope you get the front nearside suspension unit sorted. Like you say if it has to be removed all the fixings will not be a problem to remove. Just a thought and apologies if it has already been mentioned or considered. Is the front nearside height being influenced by the water content in the main tank ?

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Nigel, thanks for commenting. We think it has to do with the weight distribution. Everything is on the off side except the water tank and bathroom

[@danyponce7307]

Hello, but with the straps you advance the axle?

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Dany, we used the straps to fight against the force of the spring

[@nigelbailey2665]

Hi Ads & Zoe. Could you comment on the replacement rear shock absorbers you purchased from Coastal Motorhome. I have just received a pair of replacements know as ref FT11011, they are quite a bit physically smaller than those I have removed from our Hymer B584. I will verify with the helpful Coastal Motorhome, but did you find the replacements slightly smaller ? Thanks Nigel.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Nigel, if they are the same length then you should be OK. I've not had any problems with Coastal, parts or advice. If you are referring to the thickness of the shock then gas filled and oil filled are different. I hope that helps

[@rogerburn21]

What's the price you paid for the leaf springs pleas

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

I don't remember, @rogerburn21 but there is a link in the video description to the ones I bought.

[@johnvickers5750]

Not sure if helps but did you prime the new front shock before fitting? We had a similar all round suspension upgrade on our Peugeot Boxer 2.8HDI Turbo 2002 AS Executive SE. We also had the Dunlop rear air assisters fitted on the rear which has made the driving a dream!. Definitely recommended. All the work was done by Dave Newell Leisure Vehicle Services for £1,574.24 total.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi John, that isn't a bad price. Parts cost us almost £800 and if we add £350 for air bags that's a few hours for labour left 👍. We pumped them a couple of times just to see if they worked.

[@johnvickers5750]

"Diamond Dave" highly recommended for his professional knowledge, skills & a job well done with value for money to boot.👍

[@an04ker]

I put airbags on the back of my autotrail. Main reason was to up the gross vehicle weight. It’s lifted the back substantially and as a result the rear springs seem to have recovered by not having as much weight on them. I have to keep letting air out to maintain the correct ride height. I started with about 40psi I’m down to about 10psi now 👍🏻

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks for commenting, @an04ker

[@kevandrews4699]

Nice one ad good job there .kev

[@dereklodge8332]

One sure thing, this is typical of 2 people with zero experience at this type of work and very dangerous. You jack the vehicle up, then you put a stand under the chassis so the vehicle is fully supported with the wheel just barely touching the ground and no load on the axle on that side. . Only then do you start doing anything with the spring. One thing doing a video its quite another doing the job the wrong way and giving people the opinion that their using correct procedure.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks for commenting, @kevandrews4699

[@charlietango1635]

If you had dropped the front spring hanger it would have given you enough room to get the rear spring hanger bolt out without being obstructive by the spring hanger mounting bracket. ( just my opinion) If you had put the front in first, then raise the axle to get the back one in, that way it is flattening the spring out in order to fit, again just my opinion.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Charlie but we tried a few things

[@rpn9000]

Monroe shocks used to be good. However the last 10 years they've ready gone down hill. I've started using Bilstein or KYB with good results.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

I didn't have a choice about make of shocks. The off side went while on holiday in Ireland. The fitter ordered it. I just replicated on the other side when we got home. We've not had a problem with the Monroe shocks at all.

[@christyfur1162]

Very interesting video. Thanks 👍

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Christopher, are you thinking of replacing your suspension?

[@christyfur1162]

@@HermanHitstheRoad I've got an Eldiss Autostratus that's already got air bags! I wish I had a Chas near me to do my servicing. I'm in North East Scotland and I have to drive about 15 miles to find a garage that's capable of motorhome servicing. My lady wife still wants a Hymer like Herman. Keep making the vids, I love em! 👍

[@jordanwalker7025]

Fantastic video....but I've ALWAYS been told to not out copper grease/slip on a moving part? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Lithium grease should of been applied to the bit of the bolt that was in the bush. Then copper grease on the thread, copper grease contains grit and therefore will grind away very gradually at the bush.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Jordan

[@jordanwalker7025]

Just to clarify! I do genuinely love the video! You cleared a lot of points up for me :) and showed us the order to do stuff so we don't have the same problems of fouling the chassis with one of the bolts! Saves a lot of time and hassle! Also, never thought to use a ratchet strap! :D

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Jordan. No problem. The ratchet strap was a live safer really because we tried various ways but the spring was against us. 👍👍👍🚙

[@henrybarnett1063]

You were lucky with the weather.Still bloody annoying that you have to remove the shock again.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Yeah, we got the knack of replacing the shock now and all the bolts had already been removed and therefore easy to remove again.

[@sccobyste]

Not sure I would follow the techniques of your mechanics hitting spanner’s with hammers and cant seem to see any safety precautions safety goggles or even axle stands in the correct places but reminds me of the 80.s when I was a trainee just get on with it ❤

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Axle stands have been used in the correct places, sccobyste. Thanks for your concerns.

[@keithdrummond5527]

gas torch on shock absorber is a real no no folks lucky it didnt explode,made an easy job look hard,undo the top shackle bolt then it will be real easy to allighn spring bolt holes

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Keith, we tried all sorts of things that you didn't see to get the spring on. As for the torch it was the last resort.

[@Nikonfan01]

great master

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Jo. Do you need to replace your leaf springs?

[@Nikonfan01]

@@HermanHitstheRoad No thanks, I did mine myself 3 years ago.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

LOL I wasn't offering to do it for you, No 😂🤣👍👍

[@Nikonfan01]

@@HermanHitstheRoad i know

[@davidgreatbatch6340]

Quite informative but one thing I did notice is that the reasonable expensive camper which you are spending good money on to fix up is parked outside I’m assuming is your hugely expensive house which looks in really shit condition! It’s all about getting your priorities in order!

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks for commenting, @davidgreatbatch6340. I hope you enjoyed the video?

[@MegaDyte]

Sorry but those spring hangers are dead

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Care to elaborate, MegaDyte?

[@MegaDyte]

@@HermanHitstheRoad sorry didn't mean to sound so negative on your videos they are very well executed ,you seemed to struggle to refit the leaf spring looked very much like the rear hanger was seized in the bushing does your van squeak when you go over a speed bump this is a tell tale sign

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

No problem, MegaDyte 👍 No, there's no squeaking. There was at first but that was the leaves rubbing together which we've now sorted by lubricating them where they touch