Technical rear shackle bushes craeking

[nige223]

Hi I have a X250 Ducato with twin leaf rear springs, the O.S. has started to creak now and then mostly after going over speed bumps. I would like to remove the mounting pins and clean them as I think it may just be corroding a little I have cleaned them as best I can whilst on the vehicle. Could anyone offer any advice as to the need to replace the bushes and the size of the female torx socket required (which I will have to buy). Also would (or should ) I replace the bushes on both the N.S & O.S front & rear. Any advise would be welcome,thanks in anticipation Nige.

 

[nige223]

Hi I have a X250 Ducato with twin leaf rear springs, the O.S. has started to creak now and then mostly after going over speed bumps. I would like to remove the mounting pins and clean them as I think it may just be corroding a little I have cleaned them as best I can whilst on the vehicle. Could anyone offer any advice as to the need to replace the bushes and the size of the female torx socket required (which I will have to buy). Also would (or should ) I replace the bushes on both the N.S & O.S front & rear. Any advise would be welcome,thanks in anticipation Nige.

the torx size for the shackle bolts are torx E24 the hex nut is 24mm. I have removed the rear springs and had them inspected along with the bushes the shock absorbers the roll bar bushes and the drop links all are O K showing no signs of wear or rust. The only thing that was not inspected was the shackle bushes in the chassis. my question is can anyone give me some idea as to how to get these out, is it a dealership job or a job I could undertake myself they appear to have a weld around them. The vehicle is a 4.25 tonne Motorhome on a fiat chassis with double leaf rear springs a bought the vehicle new in 2011.hope someone can offer some advice thanks for reading the post. Fingers crossed.

 

[Crossingkeeper]

At that age of van I wouldn't expect the bushes to be worn to the extent of needing replacement.

When my 1998 van had a similar problem (creaking bushes) I lubricated the bushes with brake fluid which solved the problem for the rest of the time that I owned the van

 

[BGD]

Just spray everything (springs,shackles) with silicone spray. Job done.

 

[nige223]

Thanks for the input, I have tried the silicon spray unfortunately it didn't stop the creaking,I thought that brake fluid may soften the rubber. I did remove both springs and had them inspected along with the spring bushes and roll bar bushes at a local specialist all OK. I also replaced the anti roll bar drop links. The only two bushes not inspected were the shackle bushes in the chassis ( see my previous post ) but these seem OK. On reassembly I was advised to give everything a liberal coating of copper grease which I did,but it hasn't stopped the noise. Does anyone know the torque setting for the shackle/spring hanger pins, could it be that I have over tightened them.Thanks for reading this post any comments/suggestions would be welcome.

 

[taffybloke]

Nige

The workshop manual shows the following information for the rear springs and hangers, this is shown for all versions and the end of row number is torque in daNM this means 10 x nm so the first line is 185 nm

Leaf spring to bodyshell Nut M16x1.25 18.5

Leaf spring to bodyshell Nut M16x1.25 14.5

Leaf spring to element Nut M16x1.5 14.5

Rear shock absorber Bolt M16x1.5x78 14.5

U bolts Nut M14x1.5 14.0

Air spring Bolt M10x1.25 3.5

Anti-roll bar Bolt M10x1.25x35 4.5

Anti-roll bar connecting rod - M10x1.25 3.0

Leaf spring to element Nut M16x1.5 14.5

Shock absorber - M16x1.5x78 14.5

Self-levelling suspension rear cross member Bolt M14x1.5 18.0

Self-levelling suspension rear cross member Bolt M8 2.4


Hope this helps

Mike

 

[nige223]

Thanks Taffybloke or should I call you Mike I am very much obliged for the torque figures which I will check today. What are your thoughts as to the removal of the rear bushes that are in the body shell which seem to have a weld holding them in place,these have not been touched before so must be OE.
Thanks again taffybloke/Mike.

 

[taffybloke]

Nige. sorry can't help with the weld and I have not taken my shackles apart. Mine is on single leaf springs with 117k on the clock but I have fitted rear air suspension to take the load of the springs.

I would be worth checking the brake cables are secured and not rubbing also look at the shock absorbers shroud as these can rub and creak.

Mike

 

[nige223]

Thanks again Mike i put silicon spray on the outer cover of the hand brake cable and the shock absorbers,mounts and bushes are fine. the noise is with out doubt coming from the O S rear upper shackle bush (the one in the chassis) if I back the shackle pin off the noise stops when tightened to the correct torque the noise is back.When I say backed off it has to be to loose to travel the shackle plates and pin are fine. The problem I have is that if I take it to a garage and they put heat on the bush in order to remove it damage could be caused to the floor of the motorhome and like your self I to have air assist fitted which again wont stand any heat plus the under slung water tank is in that area. Hey ho happy days. Thanks again.

 

[Crossingkeeper]

Though I'm sitting in my van atm ground conditions are not presently conducive to crawling underneath to have a look so forgive me if the following doesn't make any sense.

You mentioned that the bush in the chassis seems to be held in by a weld; far more likely is that a tube has been welded in the chassis and the bush has been pressed into this.

If this is so it could be extracted with something similar to a bearing removal kit: with a long threaded stud, a suitably sized washer & a spacer tube, you might be able to draw the bush out without using heat (assuming the water tank leaves you enough room!)

 

[nige223]

Thanks for the reply Crossingkeeper I have just ordered a manual on line it should be here in a day or two. Hopefully it will give more detail as to the replacement of the suspension bushes. Due to the shackle plates the bush in question can't be seen unless the vehicle is supported and the shackle plates removed, my fear is if specialist equipment is needed and I damage the bush then I would be unable to move the vehicle.Looking at other postings on the net this creaking is nothing new though no one seems to have a solution, some say it's the design of the bush and that fiat are now fitting corrugated bushes with teflon coating. Thanks again everyone for reading and replying.

 

[nige223]

The manual came but it does't cover the rear bus assembly very well and only shows the shackle plates, then gives the torque setting for the various bolts which I all ready have. Any suggestions?