General Ducato rear wheel tracking, 2.8jtd, 3850kg.

[Triple7]

Hi All,

I have been on the internet to try and research a problem with my Ducato and I was directed to this forum. So I hope you can help and don't mind me asking a question on my first visit. I do plan to remain.

I have a Ducato 2.8jtd based Hymer motorhome. It was pulling to the left so we decided to have the tracking checked. We found both front wheels out to the right so we corrected them with laser measurement, so that they were absolulely straight ahead with the steering wheel straight ahead. However, I now need about 25 degrees steering input to the right to drive down a straight and level road. ??

So we decided to check the rear wheels and found both wheels out by a long way and both pointing to the right. The rear left wheel is "toe in" and the rear right wheel is "toe out". Another way of looking at this would be that the whole axle is pointing right, ie the rear left wheel is further foward than the rear right wheel. This is having the effect to pull the rear of the vehicle out to the right and therefore the required steering input to the right to travel staight. On following the vehicle it can be seen to "crab" down the road, and you can see down the left hand side of the van.

So we thought we would adjust the rear axle but can find no way of adjusting it? I am amazed that there is no way of adjusting the tracking on the rear wheels. Surely there is a way to set up the tracking on the rear axle? How else am I going to make this van drive straight, this must be a safety issue??

Please help and thank you to those that reply.

Triple7.

PS The van has not been in an accident and the chassis appears undamaged and unrepaired. SO I'm confused.

 

[T14086]

Welcome

Some more details might help if you can (year etc)

 

[Triple7]

Ops.......good point.

It's a 2.8JTD, the 03 to 06 shape, however first registered Jan07.

Hymer C644 motorhome which is coachbuilt, ie has the Ducato cab and full chassis. Max Vehicle Payload 3850kg.

The rear axle is a cross bar with a wheel on each end and has a 'single leaf' leaf spring each side.

Is there anything I have missed??

Ta.

 

[T14086]

colour?

 

[Triple7]

Silver........

 

[T14086]

I'm afraid I only have limited data for front wheels

 

[Triple7]

Thanks,

Unfortunately that's my worry, which is that it's not fixable or adjustable. I am totally amazed! I can't help feeling its not the best design.

I note both leaf spring mounting brackets are not adjustable and bolt directly to the chassis. Furthermore the axle crossrail clamps cannot slide forward or backward on the leaf spring as there is a locating lug on the spring and corresponding hole on the fixing plate. This is confusing.

 

[Triple7]

Here is a picture:-

 

[weatherforcast]

did you buy it new?
if not, maybe it has been in an accident?
if its an '07 then try your fiat dealer, the chassis is under warranty and they should have all the tracking data needed.
i didn't think that the rear was adjustable so if you do have a rear alignment problem then maybe something wasn't assembled correctly at the factory.
the dealer should have access to all of the chassis alignment specifications which are used to check major body repairs.

 

[Triple7]

Hi weatherforcast,

No, it was 1 year old when I bought it.
No, its not been in a accident since i've had it, and knowing the previous owner I am pretty certain its never been in an accident. The chassis looks perfect, no witness marks, no repair and no overspray. Furthermore, the coachbuilt part of the motorhome has no damage or repair evident.
Having already spoken to a local fiat garage, for some unkown reason, they are not being very helpfull? The service manager is always in a meeting and they have not returned any of my calls?????
I have a case number with Fiat customer service and hopefully they can help, but I somehow doubt it. I suspect this wil be filed in the 'too difficult' pile.
It was first registered 6Jan07 so has just run out of warranty, so can see all fiat outlets running a mile. However, if this is a manufacture problem then I will need all the information possible to chase them.

I think I will have to try another fiat dealer, but I'm praying someone on here knows or can help.

Thanks.

 

[NumanR]

OK firstly you need to get a proper printed four wheel alignment report carried out at your expense. Then you need to get the distance checked between the centre of each sides wheels, so ns distance maybe longer than the os (shorter leaf spring or broken location pin on rear axle). It is very difficult to prove that this is a manufacturing fault due to the age of the vehicle and the incomplete history (2nd owner) Finally (and I hope this isnt the case) some vehicles were damaged during the floods of 2007 and were written off and had no warranty. These were bought by some individuals and sold as good units after being dried out and cleaned, these have no warranty at all.

 

[lunarmotor]

Check out the spings, has one been replaced? Sometimes leaf springs ae a different length from the locating pin to the front and back bush centre, if one is the wrong way round could cause your problem.

 

[Triple7]

Hi NumanR

[FONT=&quot]Here is the computerised 4 wheel tracking report, just look at the thrust angle! :-[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

and here is the wheelbase length measurement from the same computer report, 18mm difference!:-

Fiat have since asked for photos of the rear suspension and I think this one showing that the axle clamp is not centred on the suspension bumb say's it all. This is the right axle and forward is to the left. The right side is totally under the bumb stop. Fiat have now asked that the van goes in to have the rear suspension stripped down and all leafs measured.

Hi lunarmotor,
I think you are absolutly correct, however none of the leafs have ever been replaced, or removed?

Thanks all for the advice and I'm hoping that the end is in site, but boy this is taking months to get sorted. I will let you know. Triple7.

 

[PeterM]

Yes, taking a long time, but it looks like you are making progress and Fiat is being cautiously accommodating.

PeterM

 

[ingram]

Comparing the photograph with the drawing of parts previously posted, I am sure that you can see the 'pip' on the spring, not aligned with the hole in the locating plate: you can see the slight bump under the plate, I am sure.

Harvey

 

[Triple7]

Mods,

Why am I not allowed to edit my posts when at the bottom of the page it says "You MAY edit your posts"

All I want to do is fix the broken links to the photographs above.

Thanks.

 

[ingram]

Mods,

Why am I not allowed to edit my posts when at the bottom of the page it says "You MAY edit your posts"

All I want to do is fix the broken links to the photographs above.

Thanks.

Presumably you don't have a reply. Try asking the question in 'Website Help' or a similarly named section if there is one. I am keen to know the outcome of Fiat's inspection of your suspension so please update as and when.

Harvey

 

[Triple7]

Hello Ingram,

Yes, would you believe I have not had the courtesy of a reply from any of the staff on this forum. I am disappointed to say the least, as it appears this forum is nothing more than just an advertising shelter for someone to make money. NO real organisation under it.

I have submitted 2 'urgent' requests via the "contact us" option at the bottom of the screen. I followed the link for 'member support' and have received 2 automated replies both showing the urgent requests as logged. I have 2 "Ticket ID's", first one submitted on the 11 Mar and the second submitted 20 Mar. Both still showing OPEN, therefore one can only assume that no staff have bothered to action, reply or even read the 2 urgent requests.

I have even tried emailing T14086 directly, a moderator, and he has not even replied.

I'm sorry to say that I will not be finishing this story, or adding any more photos, on this website. Which is a shame as this tale has taken an interesting turn. Why should I bother to contribute to a forum that can't be arsed to show the courtesy of a simple reply to 2 urgent requests and an email.

Furthermore, I have never come across the situation of not being able to edit my own posts. It might say on the bottom of the page "You may edit your posts" but its a lie. After about 12 hours you lose the ability to edit or delete. What a stupid rule and a ridiculous situation.

I would recommend not contributing to a forum that removes your control over your own posts.

Anyway Ingram, I only just popped back to see if any moderator had bothered to reply to my post above requesting assistance. I'm sorry to see my expectations were met.

So I would suggest that we retire to that other forum that we are both members of, as I will be finishing this story on that site. I will add some more facts and photos later this week. I shall now leave this poor excuse of a so called forum.

All the best Ingram,
Triple7.

 

[GCurt]

I thought about doing this myself but ended up admitting defeat and getting it done at a garage.

Did a good job all the same.

I drive a punto 1.4 (07).

If you live in around sheff would recommend

http://www.mbstractioncentre.co.uk/services/4wheelalignment/