Fetch Carry Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Our 1996 Hymer on Fiat Ducato has just failed it's MOT on the front crossmember being rusted through, we only got this van a year ago when it had just passed it's MOT so has the dealer pulled a fast one on us or could it have got so much worse in 12 months, looking at the state of it I would have thought it should have failed previously. Is this a command Ducato chassis problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna miller Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Do you mean the crossmember that holds the radiator and a few other bits right at the very front of the vehicle, if so, then yes it is a common problem. A friend and I went to Germany last year and bought 2 Hymers on Fiat chassis, both of these had rust on the crossmember, although I must admit mine is only surface rust, but my friends is falling apart. They told us at MOT station, that it wasn't structural so he wouldn't fail it. After looking at it, it shouldn't be too difficult to change, you just need to support the rad to do it. Alas once they start to go they go pretty fast if left untreated, so it could be that last year it was ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fetch Carry Posted October 8, 2007 Author Share Posted October 8, 2007 Yes thats the one, its a hollow section and it's that bad you can see ou the other side, just got to find a replacement at a reasonable price now. Suppose you have made me feel a bit better about it :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteS Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 They are known for it after about 5 or 6 years it's worth keeping an eye on it all Fiat sevel owners. Easy enough to replace apparantly. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna miller Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Try here, £76 www.nicedeals.co.uk Part number A1509 Ours is the 534 as well, how do you get on with the layout ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fetch Carry Posted October 9, 2007 Author Share Posted October 9, 2007 Yep had found that at nice deals, it's plus £9.99 for next day carriage, our MOT place has quoted me £88 + VAT fitted so gone with that, should be done Wednesday. The layout suits our style of using the van, we have two dogs with us and the wifes likes to go bed before me but doesn't like the drop down bed due to being quite short with poor eyesite without her contacts in, so she can make up the massive rear bed and usually gets joined by the staffy or both dogs and I can still lounge in the front end and use the drop down if I want. Also gives easy access from either end to the bathroom with the beds made up, we looked at front lounge/dinnette models but felt that having both beds up one end would restrict access to the beds and bathroom. Also the big rear storage access from outside was something we liked, as chairs, BBQ's and outdoor stuff etc. can go in there and not have to go via the inside of the van. We spent many months visiting dealers and shows looking at layouts and think we may have actually got it right first time :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 There's a follow-up to posting ("rusty cross member") to this by geoff1941 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianR Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Just to say that it is not just the Fiat Sevel vans that have the problem. I had to have the crossmember replaced on my 1996 Peugeot at 63,000 miles. The charge (3 years ago2 was £67 for parts and £42.50 for labour, plus VAT. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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