Rear leaf suspension on new Boxer and Ducato

Have just taken delivery of a new Warwick Xl based on Ducato with the auto box and notice that the bottom rear leaf seems to be floating. On a new Peugot Boxer the dual leafs are closed and fastened together at each end as I would have expected. Does anyone know why the Fiat variant has an open spring?

Hi,unless theres been a change,I think they use different chassis.The Boxer Warwick XL of my years were on the heavy chassis,but the Fiat used the medium rated chassis.This may account for different spring choice.

Ok thanks for that when I next speak to dealer will try and clarify.

We've recently taken delivery of a 2020 Kemerton XL on the Ducato and as far as I can tell the rear leaf springs are the same configuration as our last two Boxers, ie floating as you describe. 

Tim

Hi I was motivated to post this question as there was a 22 plate Peugot boxer Warwick xl on our camp site with the closed leaf springs.

So is this what you call floating. This is a Peugeot boxer xl and has the 2nd helper leaf spring and the pad in between[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Thanks for your reply. No they are not like that. The lower leaf is only attached in the middle with each end having a pad and a gap of a few inches between the pads and the upper leaf. I would post a picture but so far have been unable to see how this can be achieved.

The 2 leaf Rear spring for Peugeot boxer 290 and fiat Ducato and only gets secured by the u bolts . My picture was a loaded van so the pad is touching and has no gape
Thank Paul for showing the member how to post the picture[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

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Thanks for the help with posting picture which hopefully will appear magically in this reply.

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A better picture. It is worth adding that it has a towbar fitted and with the bike rack/ bikes and towbar all on the van that’s about an additional 70 Kgs on the back and overall the van is nearly up to weight 3.5t in that picture less driver and passenger. However tanks were probably about half full as we were on site. So we’ll loaded.Whether having the airbags on the rear suspension makes a difference to configuration I have no idea.

When we first enquired about the Fiat auto at the NEC we were told the one on display was on the medium chassis and they don't have the plastic front wheel arch trims. As our Peugeot Kingham was on the heavy chassis I was concerned about payload as we had it upgraded tp 3800KG, Was told that we could have the Fiat on the heavy chassis for an extra £400.00. I also asked if I could have the silver wheels (as on the Peugeot) and the centre cup holders replaced with the glove box, no problem they said. When time came to order it I was told none of it was possible but they could update it to 3650KG. After a long chat with SV tech they said it should go to 4000KG but without the Vin number they couldn't be sure. I questioned the wheels as they all come out of the same factory but being the same size the bolt spacing is different. I find the rear suspension a bit softer and a better ride than the Peugeot even with two electric bikes on the tow bar rack and still within the rear axle weight running the airbags at 2 bar.

The extra leave spring I believe is fitted by AS when they fit the air bags.

Thanks for your replies

The leaf spring is standard fitted by Fiat, also fitted to the Peugeot on the medium chassis.

Thanks for your input