Rear suspension

[Chris.65]

Hi i've had my custom double cab for 5wks as in my previous post the ride is very harsh, i am even considering selling it.
My question is should the rear bump stop be touching the rear beam when empty,on all my previous vans these would only touch if the van was folly loaded.
As i can see it this is giving the suspension no room to move, two ford dealers could not tell me if this is the right set up,they had a sport and the bump stop s were about 60mm away from the beam but the sport i think is a 300 not a 290 and it is swb any help appreciated.

[yasser]

From what you are saying it does sound to be wrong but to make sure that what you are saying is what is happening, upload a picture and there are plenty on here that will be able to tell you if its correct or not.

[Chris.65]

Have attached image of rear suspension unladen what do you think!

[Mussels]

My L2 dciv looks the same, I think it's normal.

[sparker000]

I am no expert but I don't think the bump stops should be touching. They are after all 'bump stops'. Why bother with springs at all if you could use rubber blocks for suspension. I would think this is cause of the problem that you have with the harsh ride.

Take a look through the thread on lowering the suspension - page 3/4 has about bump stops with insufficient clearance being an MOT failure. Can't explain why other vans would have the same.

Maybe a picture of the leaf springs would be helpful. If with no weight in the van they look flat (no curve) then I would say you need to get those sorted.

[craigcorolla]

Unladen ! This is wrong.

[blueberrygreen]

Good old Ford.
They give the swb van 15m of bump stop clearance and the lwb none.
just do what I did, cut them back.

[yasser]

Have a look at this early thread on lowering the custom. Bump stop is different but there is a lot more clearance.

viewtopic.php?f=65&t=135078&hilit=lowering

[Treespotter]

My bump stops start touching when half loaded.
You are talking about a double cabin here. That's a van that is partly loaded when leaving the factory.
Before I bought my single cab custom I gutted my double cabin VW Transporter to turn it into a single cabin. Damn, that framework supporting the second row really weighs in like crazy.
What's the weight of your van on the license papers?

[Mussels]

I just looked at mine that is the same, if I lay on the floor and lift the van I can see the 'bump stops' flexing as the van moves. They are not solid rubber bump stops.

[blueberrygreen]

Have a look at this early thread on lowering the custom. Bump stop is different but there is a lot more clearance.

viewtopic.php?f=65&t=135078&hilit=lowering

That's cause it's a swb and they all need lowering to not look stupid.
if ford gives no bump stop clearance as standard on dciv
Then it's good enough for my van.

Wonder if ford invalidate their own warranty with lowered rear and inadequate bump stop clearance

[Sparkeselectrical]

My L2 DCiV has more clearance than that

[sezyal]

I have Tourneo Custom with 9 seats and it's not touching at all. It should have a bit softer leaf than Transits though.

Is this a 310 model with extra load? It's also question of material it's made with. If it's soft enough, maybe touching is acceptable.

[moley551]

270 ltd with 32500 miles and half the bump stop has worn away. It has started to feel harsh over speed bumps now as I think the stops have been carrying most of the weight. I had it weighed because I was worried it was overloaded when heavily on the stops but it was only 2600kg.......just enough for a fat boy and a pastie.

[Treespotter]

2600 kgs in a 270 is just one fart from being over loaded. When you drive around with that load all the time you bought a van with the wrong load capacity.