Hi peoples.

Can anyone recommend the best pair of new front struts for a good price?
Mine will require the 1800Kg versions.
Any that are better than others? pros/cons

Cheers.

Bilstein , boge, both good brands.
I'm trying to recall if Sachs are oem to vag group , if so then Sachs too.

Find fiat part number , search it on ebay see if anyone selling genuine fiat at sensible price sometimes new old stock appears at great prices.

1351012080 looks to be fiat part number but check for yourself. That's for ducato up to 2006 , 1800kg payload.

I think 1351012080 cross refs toSachs number 280 975

jackwhoo said:

1351012080 looks to be fiat part number but check for yourself. That's for ducato up to 2006 , 1800kg payload.

I think 1351012080 cross refs toSachs number 280 975

Click to expand...

Thanks Jackwho for the part info.

Covid-19 has disrupted the supply chain here it appears. Not good for me in terms of timing!

I bought some Monroe, they seem Ok so far. The bottom out bumpers was harder to get, I ended up buying from from Axel Augustin.

i used coastal motorhomes and the pattern part ones think they are called fast line so far they have stood up well running fully loaded with no issues and a lot cheaper than Fiat parts

PC Vehicle Movements said:

i used coastal motorhomes and the pattern part ones think they are called fast line so far they have stood up well running fully loaded with no issues and a lot cheaper than Fiat parts

Click to expand...

Thanks PC VM.

I tried Coastal Motorhomes but they could only supply at triple normal air freight cost.

Decided to wait til flights resume properly and prices become sane here.

Octagon said:

I bought some Monroe, they seem Ok so far. The bottom out bumpers was harder to get, I ended up buying from from Axel Augustin.

Click to expand...

Thanks Octagon.

Munroe are good.
Currently have Sachs but one side is gone.

I wonder how long people get out of those on average?

Does anyone have any tips for figuring out if the front shock absorbers are excessivnely worn? The vehicle seems too heavy for a corner bounce test.


...and for testing the rears?

Get a wheel alignment. A special one.

A bounce test possibly does not work anyway.
ie. Oil filled macpherson struts behave slightly differently to gas filled.

Look for excessive oil leaks around the spring, onto the axle and components.
I know...what is excessive?

How is the van stability driving straight and around corners?
Mine was bad in straight line at speed before I replaced the struts. Lots of drift.

I put mine in for a wheel alignment. The better one where they can test suspension also
with pressure plates.
They told me my left strut was completely gone.
They couldn't do wheel alignment properly as a result.

This confirmation was gold.

I would say that is the best way to test the struts....properly....on vehicle.

The only main test I know for DIY...is the test drive ...

or

Remove and disassemble strut assembly itself.
Note. That is a lot of work and is dangerous also.