aka4ajax Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 I have a 2006 Fiat Ducato based Burtsner 820 Elegance, which I have noticed is leaking oil from the N/S/F suspension strut. Has anyone had any experience in replacing these? I have done many a truck, car and bus suspension in the past, so know all about the compression springs and care to be taken with track rod end and camber alignment on the rebuild. What i need to find out is where is the top mount and how do I access them? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andytw Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Probably under some soundproofing up and under the dashboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aka4ajax Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share Posted August 15, 2016 Thanks I was worried that was where I needed to look, its not going to be straight forward then is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archiesgrandad Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 We have a Pilote "A" class, and at some point it required repairs to the strut. To gain access they had to cut into the sidewall of the body, and the inner glass fibre body. We now have a very neat and usefull storage locker on the offside to match the fuel filler. AGD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aka4ajax Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share Posted August 16, 2016 Oh Dear, i hope i don't have to go along that route, if so its going off to the workshop as I will not be tackling that at home. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andytw Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Archiesgrandad - 2016-08-15 11:27 PM We have a Pilote "A" class, and at some point it required repairs to the strut. To gain access they had to cut into the sidewall of the body, and the inner glass fibre body. We now have a very neat and usefull storage locker on the offside to match the fuel filler. AGD I, too, had a Pilote A class, and the strut tops were just accessed from under the dash. It really is quite straightforward. I replaced my own. I have read about the side access, new locker, method on exactly the same model as mine which was absolutely NOT neccessary. If you think about it, yes an A class has a bespoke front end, and it all looks a bit 'special' but when you sit in the drivers seat the dashboard, floor, pedals, steering wheel are all just standard. The strut tops will not be immediately visible until the lower cosmetic panels are removed from under the dash. These usually have, at most, a couple of screws each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aka4ajax Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share Posted August 16, 2016 Cheers Andy, I will look under the massive dash as I am sure I seen some odd bits under there the last time i lifted it (to fit new speakers). Its a job i got scheduled for first week in September so I will get back to you with details. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andytw Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Different vintage but this may help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andytw Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 aka4ajax - 2016-08-16 7:28 AMCheers Andy,I will look under the massive dash as I am sure I seen some odd bits under there the last time i lifted it (to fit new speakers).Its a job i got scheduled for first week in September so I will get back to you with details.NeilYou talk of "massive dash" and "lifting". You need to be looking up from the floor and in behind the 'standard' Ducato dash, see video in previous post from about 1 minute 20 secs in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aka4ajax Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share Posted August 16, 2016 Thats brilliant Andy, I just watched the video and now I know exactly where you mean. Its the little covered shelf just in front of the door, where I need to look. I am so much happier now seeing the video and reading this post. Thanks again. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aka4ajax Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share Posted August 20, 2016 I have identified the location of the top hat (strut tops) so my job is going to be a little easier than i thought. But now ordering the right parts is looking challenging, unless someone knows the type of Fiat Ducato chassis or model i need to specify when ordering the parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 Go to any Fiat Professional dealer with your VIN (chassis number) and ask them to tell you the corresponding replacement part number. They all have access to the Fiat database, and that should enable then to find the exact match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andytw Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 May be a part number on the ones you take out, which might help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aka4ajax Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share Posted August 20, 2016 Thanks guys, i think i will be calling the Fiat dealership to ask about the correct strut.The ones I am going to remove are oil filled, but seem to recall gas filled ones are a higher quality, any thoughts on that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aka4ajax Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share Posted August 20, 2016 Good advice Brian, I looked at my V5 log book to identify the chassis number, the van model type is written in the Chassis Number.... ZFA244 0000 7384780 - so I assume its a 244 type then. But have emailed my local dealer Adams Morely of Portsmouth for confirmation of the correct and recommended strut to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aka4ajax Posted August 22, 2016 Author Share Posted August 22, 2016 Bloody Hell, been quoted £214.29 +vat each for them. I have seen them on ebay for anything between £49.99 and £110.00 each, or £70 for a set. I am thinking I will not be paying them to do them, no matter how hard the job is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andytw Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 It isn't difficult. I fitted KYB's to my Pilote when I had it. I bought a socket to fit the 4 big bolts at the bottom of the strut and a long handle. Came off fine. You'll need to apply some inward retaining pressure to the drive shafts else they might come out of the gearbox. Something like this for you I think http://www.bestpartstore.co.uk/7428480 Part number from here... http://www.kyb-europe.com/pdf/2016/KYB2016_Shock_Absorbers-Version_A.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aka4ajax Posted August 22, 2016 Author Share Posted August 22, 2016 Quality, Thanks Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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