Ducato Rear Doors - Limit Opening

Kontiki

Kontiki

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On my new van the ducato rear doors can open beyond 90 degrees, if they do then on the near side the window would hit the van & the other side the bike rack would hit the side. Apart from fixing a strap each time has anybody figured a way of preventing the doors opening too far. My worry is a gust of wind could push the door past the 90 degree stop which hardly seems sufficient to hold it. Been looking for some images of the rear door stop assembly, wondering if I could get at the stop I could drill a hole & fit a bolt through it. Sure on other vans I've had there used to be a locking mechanism that prevented you accidentality opening beyond the 90 degrees.
 
Fit a Thick leather strap and either 2 / 3 self tappers or Pop rivets

Alf
 
How heavy a gust of wind are you worried about? To release the door to allow it to open beyond 90 degrees the tension has to be removed from the check strap, and the release button on the door inner panel then pushes a blocking catch out of line with the check strap to allow the door to move further. Last year I was attempting to get something from the "boot" of my van in a gale whilst holding the rear door, when an even heavier gust pulled it out of my hand. The plastic release button broke and was forced out of the door as it reached the end of its travel, but as the check strap was by that time under tension from the wind pressure the door was prevented from moving any further.

Google "Ducato Rear Door Check Strap" for images. You will see the swivel bracket on the end inside the door, which sits over the check strap and limits travel by contact with the buffer block on the door mounting plate. The semi-circular tab below the swivel bracket has to be prerssed either with the release button if fitted or with a finger through the hole in the inner door panel to push it out of line and allow the check strap to move through the door block to the full extent of its travel. The swivel bracket can only be released when it is not already in contact with the buffer block, and springs back into place as soon as the door is closed beyond its 90 degree position.
 
Saw on a website for 2011-2014 Ducato there is a button that you press to open the doors past 90 degrees (2011 - 2014) Fiat Ducato review | Exchange and Mart it shows the rear door button at around 11.45 mins . Unfortunately the 2019 doesn't have this it just relies on the friction of the stop & it isn't difficult to push it past the 90 degree position. Found it easy enough to get the door panel off, going to make something to physically stop the door opening too far. Would have thought that they would have a stop to prevent damage to the windows or van all they have is a small sticker warning about it.
 
Found the panel comes off easy, bit ironic while I was working on making something a gust (not that strong) blew the door past the 90, I just managed to catch it enough to slow it down. Broke a nail as I just got a fingertip to it. So it doesn't need much of a gust to overcome the friction on the mechanism. Made a block out of some rectangular plastic I had. Don't know what is was for originally, it's about 1.5" by about 0.75" with webs inside to strengthen it. First one I took out all the webs but the second one I was able to leave some in. Putting packers in the first one now but decided to wait until we have a calm day to fit. Will put a couple of pics on when I get done, initial trial seemed to work it was just after I took it off to modify the door blew open.
Can't see why they don't have the option of a 90 degree opening door as any camper with caravan type windows is at risk.
 
Secondhand seat belt webbing/strap would be strong and be very cheap
 
My 2016 X290 van still has the button. Cost cutting exercise I expect if they have since altered the mechanism.

To be fair, the van as originally designed wouldn't have a contact problem even with rear windows as they are flush glazed to the same contour as the metal panel on windowless versions. So it is a conversion problem really!
 
Kontiki said:
Found the panel comes off easy, bit ironic while I was working on making something a gust (not that strong) blew the door past the 90, I just managed to catch it enough to slow it down. Broke a nail as I just got a fingertip to it. So it doesn't need much of a gust to overcome the friction on the mechanism. Made a block out of some rectangular plastic I had. Don't know what is was for originally, it's about 1.5" by about 0.75" with webs inside to strengthen it. First one I took out all the webs but the second one I was able to leave some in. Putting packers in the first one now but decided to wait until we have a calm day to fit. Will put a couple of pics on when I get done, initial trial seemed to work it was just after I took it off to modify the door blew open.
Can't see why they don't have the option of a 90 degree opening door as any camper with caravan type windows is at risk.
Click to expand...

How did you get on with this. I have identical problem and have a few ideas. Probably going to do something similar by modifying the current mechanism.

Did you post a couple of pics?

Chris
 
Bracket to door top and coach top with a chain between,this lets the chain hang with a loop down when closing.
Cover the chain with a leather or rubber piece of hosing to stop any clattering,job sorted.
 
Deneb said:
My 2016 X290 van still has the button. Cost cutting exercise I expect if they have since altered the mechanism.

To be fair, the van as originally designed wouldn't have a contact problem even with rear windows as they are flush glazed to the same contour as the metal panel on windowless versions. So it is a conversion problem really!
Click to expand...

Yes indeed . Broke my window a couple of weeks ago
 
Alf said:
Fit a Thick leather strap and either 2 / 3 self tappers or Pop rivets

Alf
Click to expand...

I've had to do something similar on the habitation door of the Hymer. If it opens to the full extent (eg to allow the ingress of a fat arse) the face of the door hits the dome camera fitted to the sidewall of the van.

I've used a length of webbing strap, 2x stainless self tappers. 1 into the top edge of the door and the second into the inner top of the door frame.
It hangs inside when the door is closed.

It has lasted me a year before I replaced it with a fresh one. Webbing has a bit of "boing" in it that will help in windy conditions.

Mine endured 5 months in Kite Surf Capital of Europe, Tarifa. no problems.
 
Ducato rear doors

There is a bump stop for each door originally designed for when it was a van, to stop the windows hitting the van super glue a rubber pad on each stop, it doesn't need to be too thick just enough to clear the window
 
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