General Annoying front suspension rattle

[Shingy]

Hi guys,

I’ve got a X244 motorhome, and over the last year or so an annoying front suspension rattle has developed and gradually got worse. It doesn’t occur when negotiating corners/bends on the road, and doesn’t seem to happen when going over the “normal” holes in the road which we have to put up with in this country.
It happens on relatively shallow and continuous depressions in the road, where you might expect the suspension to resonate, but produces this rattle.

I’ve changed both wheel bearings fairly recently, not looking for the source of the rattle, but simple because they were “shot”......so that’s not the reason, I’ve also replaced the strut top mount thinking that this is the most likely explanation, but that has not solved the issue either. I’ve now concluded that it must be the drop link (rod/strut) which I’m going to replace next.

I’ve changed a number of drop links over the years on various motors I’ve owned, and this job looks very straightforward, but my question is, is it? Undo the top nut, release the bottom nut, give it a clout and it all falls on the garage floor? Drop in the replacement and the jobs done? On some motors I’ve read stories about having to knock “seven bells” out of it to remove it, and others resorting to angle grinders !! Where is the truth?

Question : Is it that easy, or is it a pig of a job. I’d appreciate any thoughts from anyone who’s done this job.

Cheers, Mick

 

[Shingy]

Somebody must have done this job surely, eh?

Mick

 

[judderbar]

I have no idea about your motor home but what are you wanting to replace? you are saying drop link and also calling it a strut. When i think of struts i can think of hammering the hell out of hub bolts whereas a drop link sounds simpler

 

[Shingy]

I’m wanting to replace, as I said, the drop link which is the most commonly used term to describe this component I was asking about. Unfortunately, and don’t ask me why, it’s also referred to as a front suspension rod/strut stabiliser.

The Fiat Motor Company call this component
a “ front suspension STRUT”

If there is any further doubt it’s part No. 1300716080.

The “strut TOP mount” which I mentioned goes on top of the shock absorber and spring.

Hoping this clarifies the situation. Cheers

 

[judderbar]

I’m wanting to replace, as I said, the drop link which is the most commonly used term to describe this component I was asking about. Unfortunately, and don’t ask me why, it’s also referred to as a front suspension rod/strut stabiliser.

The Fiat Motor Company call this component
a “ front suspension STRUT”

If there is any further doubt it’s part No. 1300716080.

The “strut TOP mount” which I mentioned goes on top of the shock absorber and spring.

Hoping this clarifies the situation. Cheers

Your part number comes up with this front stabiliser link.

https://www.auto-ricambi.eu/front-stabilizer-link-fiat-ducato-230-244-p25319/
1300716080 - Front Stabilizer Link / Sway Bar Link For Fiat/Alfa/Lancia: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike


The strut without the spring

https://www.auto-ricambi.eu/shock-absorber-fiat-ducato-230-244-q10-14-front-p29201/

The strut top mount you mentioned which goes on top of the completed strut

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132130152795

Removing the strut and you can see the stabiliser link for the roll bar

[ame]https://youtu.be/xgdVDsuNWAY?t=271[/ame]





The struts are the things you have to beat the hell out of

 

[Shingy]

Well there you go, “front stabiliser link” ..... that’s yet another phrase some call the same part. As I stated in my original post I’ve already replaced the strut top mount, been there done it (and got the T shirt).

You don’t need to be “removing the strut” by the way to see the stabiliser link/ strut/ drop link/rod or stabiliser for the roll bar.

I shall now consider my post closed.

 

[corcai]

It is easy to change the drop link, just when taking the old one off you jack up the van to get the threaded end out of the hole in the control arm. Then you lower the van to get the bottom nut onto the new one. I have heard the same rattle you are talking about and came to the conclusion it was clearance in the rear control arm bushings but the wear was nothing near requiring replacement so decided to live with it.

 

[Shingy]

Thanks corcai, that’s just the explanation that I was looking for, from someone who had actually done the job that prompted my post, in asking if it was “ easy or a pig of a job”.

I’ve already got the part ready to fit but will now probably wait for better weather before having a go at it.

Many, many thanks. Mick

 

[blaven]

I have a X244 2003 2.8JTD.
I had a rattle from what I thought was the front offside suspension.
Close examination revealed nothing untoward. I'm talking MOT type examination on a ramp here.
That winter I needed to do some rustproofing and undersealing so spent some time underneath the front end.
I took the plastic cover off which protects the pulley belts.
After doing this I noticed that two 'L' shaped brackets with plastic openable clips, (the sort you'll see on the battery tray supporting the earth cable) had somehow become detached from somewhere and had slid down adjacent to the bottom pulley. When I went over a bump these moved and rattled against the moving pulley and sounded alarming. Mercifully no harm was done. Might be worth checking?

 

[Shingy]

Thanks blaven, I’ll check that as well !!!

 

[timmycm850]

Hi All

yes from the first symptoms i would say its the drop links from the anti roll bar to the strut, relatively easy to do.

The main clue in the symptoms is.

rattly suspension except going around corners which is when the anti roll bar is fully under tension and pulling the clearance in the drop links to one end of the hole, the drop links are not normally an MOT failure

Tim

 

[Nidirwatchman]

Hi guys,

I’ve got a X244 motorhome, and over the last year or so an annoying front suspension rattle has developed and gradually got worse. It doesn’t occur when negotiating corners/bends on the road, and doesn’t seem to happen when going over the “normal” holes in the road which we have to put up with in this country.
It happens on relatively shallow and continuous depressions in the road, where you might expect the suspension to resonate, but produces this rattle.

I’ve changed both wheel bearings fairly recently, not looking for the source of the rattle, but simple because they were “shot”......so that’s not the reason, I’ve also replaced the strut top mount thinking that this is the most likely explanation, but that has not solved the issue either. I’ve now concluded that it must be the drop link (rod/strut) which I’m going to replace next.

I’ve changed a number of drop links over the years on various motors I’ve owned, and this job looks very straightforward, but my question is, is it? Undo the top nut, release the bottom nut, give it a clout and it all falls on the garage floor? Drop in the replacement and the jobs done? On some motors I’ve read stories about having to knock “seven bells” out of it to remove it, and others resorting to angle grinders !! Where is the truth?

Question : Is it that easy, or is it a pig of a job. I’d appreciate any thoughts from anyone who’s done this job.

Cheers, Mick

Had a similar problem with my ducato 244 2004 2.8 its.
Problem was found to be suspension strut retaining not had worked it self loose by 6mm. Tighten the bolt down knocking gone.
There was also chain sound coming from same nearside front. That turned out to be a slightly loose lower slide pin bolt on caliper.
Now I can drive over a pot hole with ease.
Hope this can help others in future.