Since I got my Doblo it has been creaking and clunking when I turn into bends.. from the back suspension area.
Recently it has got very much worse so I decided it could not wait any longer and set too to finding the cause.
The rear swinging hanger (now now calm down nothing like that
) called a "Shackle" was the obvious problem and I discovered the two metal side plates (Shackles) had worn oval to the extent the slot is almost twice the width of the bolt!
I purchased at very great expense a pair of new hangers and side plate along with required bolts. (£5.85+ 20% VAT for ONE BOLT and then £3.97 + VAT for the dam nut! )
Part numbers 46559497 and 46559496 for the shackle parts.
On comparison to the old parts I realised some of the new items have been "improved". The side metal plates are 50% thicker than before. So obviously this problem has been noticed by Fiat..
However the bottom bolt is still the old item i.e. an M14 shouldered bolt with a reduced 12mm thread at the end. Fiat part number 46468577 description "Screw"
Now its difficult to describe but the hole in the loose side plate is 14mm and is supposed to fit onto the last bit of the shouldered bolt with the nut then locking down to the end of the thread holding everything in perfect tension.
However with the two much thicker side plates, the loose one can only go over the 14mm part to a depth of about 1/2mm! when you try to fit it it is almost impossible to get it to locate at all so the side plate is flapping about in a hole 2mm too wide for it!
It is also impossible to tell if you have over tightened the bolt or not tightened it enough because now there is no "dead stop" with the correct pressure and gaps being maintained.
I took all the parts back to Plats Fiat dealers Stafford and was told to effectively "like or lump it" sort of thing.. they only have the one bolt listed and cannot even contact Fiat to tell them of the problem.
Surely this is a vehicle recall problem for anyone who has bought the new hangers?
It is going to wear like mad and fail in a very short distance.
My old bolts had worn through so far that when I tried to remove one of the nuts off the end of the lower bolt the nut sheared straight off leaving me with a nut full of thread!
How long would this have lasted in use? Not much longer that's for sure.
The bolt needs to be about 9mm longer on the shouldered part before the thread starts (I have not measured this so its an approximation).
I have ordered from fleabay a set of 14mm shouldered bolts which are longer than the originals and washers and nuts as well.. (total cost £5 inc P+P) because I am not happy using the dangerous parts supplied.
I know I am unable to be certain if the correct pressure / gap is there but I feel happier without a 2mm gap between some thread (which will quickly wear to give a 3.5mm gap in a few weeks) and the side plate.
If any one else has had this work done using genuine Fiat parts they need to go back to the garage NOW and get it checked out!
Anyone know how to inform Fiat or the authorities about this??
Recently it has got very much worse so I decided it could not wait any longer and set too to finding the cause.
The rear swinging hanger (now now calm down nothing like that
) called a "Shackle" was the obvious problem and I discovered the two metal side plates (Shackles) had worn oval to the extent the slot is almost twice the width of the bolt!I purchased at very great expense a pair of new hangers and side plate along with required bolts. (£5.85+ 20% VAT for ONE BOLT and then £3.97 + VAT for the dam nut!
)Part numbers 46559497 and 46559496 for the shackle parts.
On comparison to the old parts I realised some of the new items have been "improved". The side metal plates are 50% thicker than before. So obviously this problem has been noticed by Fiat..
However the bottom bolt is still the old item i.e. an M14 shouldered bolt with a reduced 12mm thread at the end. Fiat part number 46468577 description "Screw"
Now its difficult to describe but the hole in the loose side plate is 14mm and is supposed to fit onto the last bit of the shouldered bolt with the nut then locking down to the end of the thread holding everything in perfect tension.
However with the two much thicker side plates, the loose one can only go over the 14mm part to a depth of about 1/2mm! when you try to fit it it is almost impossible to get it to locate at all so the side plate is flapping about in a hole 2mm too wide for it!
It is also impossible to tell if you have over tightened the bolt or not tightened it enough because now there is no "dead stop" with the correct pressure and gaps being maintained.
I took all the parts back to Plats Fiat dealers Stafford and was told to effectively "like or lump it" sort of thing.. they only have the one bolt listed and cannot even contact Fiat to tell them of the problem.
Surely this is a vehicle recall problem for anyone who has bought the new hangers?
It is going to wear like mad and fail in a very short distance.
My old bolts had worn through so far that when I tried to remove one of the nuts off the end of the lower bolt the nut sheared straight off leaving me with a nut full of thread!
How long would this have lasted in use? Not much longer that's for sure.
The bolt needs to be about 9mm longer on the shouldered part before the thread starts (I have not measured this so its an approximation).
I have ordered from fleabay a set of 14mm shouldered bolts which are longer than the originals and washers and nuts as well.. (total cost £5 inc P+P) because I am not happy using the dangerous parts supplied.
I know I am unable to be certain if the correct pressure / gap is there but I feel happier without a 2mm gap between some thread (which will quickly wear to give a 3.5mm gap in a few weeks) and the side plate.
If any one else has had this work done using genuine Fiat parts they need to go back to the garage NOW and get it checked out!
Anyone know how to inform Fiat or the authorities about this??
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