Rumbling from front suspension

[ComboLifer]

Hi,
If anyone ever hears rumbling from the front suspension at low speeds and breaking, it’s likely the top mounts.
This is a common issue on 2018 onward Berlingos (it also common on the mark 2 Berlingo) as they age but can happen as early as 2 years old.

Not a cheap job as some garages don’t like to do the drivers side as it’s more complicated (more to remove) than the passenger side.

[ComboLifer]

Sorted 80% of the noise with a replacement drop link

£12 for the part and around 25 minutes to swap over

This is very much a DIY job

* jack up car
* remove wheel
* remove old drop link (this is the slowest part as the old bolts need a healthy does of WD40 to loosen)
* install new drop link
* wheel back on

Parts supplier told me they sell slot of droplinks for these Stellantis vehicles, common issue.

[notsofast]

I had the drop links changed on my 2020 van a couple of years ago, done under warranty. Symptom was clunking noise when going over bumps etc., though the direction the sound came from wasn't clear - initially I thought I hadn't tied my ladder on the roof rack securely enough.

[Multispacer]

Sorted 80% of the noise with a replacement drop link

£12 for the part and around 25 minutes to swap over

This is very much a DIY job

* jack up car
* remove wheel
* remove old drop link (this is the slowest part as the old bolts need a healthy does of WD40 to loosen)
* install new drop link
* wheel back on

Parts supplier told me they sell slot of droplinks for these Stellantis vehicles, common issue.

Your parts supplier was correct. I think in my 8 years of B9 Berlingo ownership, the average they seemed to last was 18 months. I tried some very expensive replacements and came to the conclusion they didn't last any longer than the cheap ones, so I just used to buy what was on special offer at the time. As you state at least it's an easy job to do.

It was longer ago now but I don't remember them being such a problem on the M59 model of Berlingo [the model previous to the B9] as I had one of those for six years. Maybe because it was a lighter vehicle?

[ComboLifer]

Well the electric Berlingos (and no doubt the e rifter, e combo life, e Toyota pro ace city) go through drop links every 18 months on average, it’s the biggest warranty claim issue as they weigh a lot more due to the electric batteries.

[ComboLifer]

The issue is back with a vengeance

Now told it’s likely shock absorbers
May as well change top mounts as well

Same issue of rumbling and clonking from suspension while driving was common on the previous B9 model Berlingo from 2008-2018

As they are essentially the same vehicle le but heavily facelifted, nothing has changed in terms of suspension issues ,

[evdama]

2012 B9

61k often at max gross weight , and never less than half that.

Driven in the county that officially has the worst roads in the country.

Currently still on the original links.

Why am I being singled out??

[Tree]

2012 B9

61k often at max gross weight , and never less than half that.

Driven in the county that officially has the worst roads in the country.

Currently still on the original links.

Why am I being singled out??

Same! Currently on 66k without any issues. I did have to replace my top mounts on my Bipper every 20k many years ago though

[Multispacer]

2012 B9

61k often at max gross weight , and never less than half that.

Driven in the county that officially has the worst roads in the country.

Currently still on the original links.

Why am I being singled out??

Not that hard to fathom out if you think about it. You are driving around in in a Berlingo Van 'often at gross weight' That weight is going to be concentrated at the back of the vehicle so the front will have less loading on it, so your front drop links are given a easy ride, I would be checking the rear springs regularly though 

[evdama]

I've had a pothole smash a front spring....