Suspension needs stiffening!

[Ramsey]

Hi All,

Can anyone help me with my suspension please?
I dont think its broke its just too soft and also bottoms out. When I look in the mirror my passengers seem to get bounced everywhere (no its not my driving). I have a bump on my drive which the ford Galaxy hardly notices but the bongo sees it as a crator and rocks all over the place!
It also bottoms out when it hits bumps.

I have read about these spring assistors that people use for towing and wondered if I fitted these all round it will a)stop the Bong bottoming out and b)improve the ride and stop the bong rocking everywhere?

As ever any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks

Ramsey.

[Peg leg Pete]

our bongo has spring assisters fitted to the rear springs- were on when we got the bongo, we are surrounded by speed bumps--never bottomed out

[Dave up north]

I have the same problem matie.

If I take her indoors and her mates on a night out ( like roly poly's on tour) it tends to bottom out on the speed bumps (but I think my wagon would - shhh)

Let us know if assisters cure it.

Ta,

Dave

[harpo42]

Have you checked the shock absorbers If they have had it then the spring will compress too quick and bottom out. The bongo will also roll about as you describe.
May be a good idea to get them checked out before going down the spring assister route. Most tyre fitting shops will do this.

[Ramsey]

Im convinced the shocks are fine as its not undrivable just annoying. I have seen a few posts re bongos bottoming out and one of them was one that had done under 10k.
Anyone else had experience of the spring assiters before and after?
Pete, it sound like the way to go.

Thanks

[nfn]

Have you tried applying Viagra to the coil springs to stiffen them up?

[Perry]

Rams have you tried taking less stuff with you, might help with the suspension

See ya next week.

[bigdaddycain]

Ive heard that spring assisters do help in most cases.

Failing that, ask the local council to lower the road

[smartmonkey]

You do seem to be describing duff shocks.

[djunjon]

Hi All

I recently fitted spring assisters to the rear of the Bongo because of the bottoming out. MUCH better!

Not perfect, even when loaded with only 50-75kg of gear but certainly better than before.

I am also going to get the bushes checked out and, at 88000 miles, have a new set of shocks fitted.

Has anyone fitted shock absorbers OTHER than the standard ones? I'm thinking of gas shocks just to improve suspension performance - there's a long camping gear + bike rack trip coming up.

Hope this helps.

Jon

[Ramsey]

Thanks all for your responses.

As far as the ride is concerned it seems ok so unlikely that all springs would have gone at the same time though I dont know?
It just seems extremely soft?

If my suspension is knackered, any ideas how much it is to fix?

Thanks again,

Rams.

[mikeonb4c]

Hello djunjon (from Ashburton - I remember I used to run construction training courses at a hotel just off the ?A38 there, happy memories). I'll be v interested to hear how new shocks etc. change/improve the Bongo.

Mine doesnt bottom out, but you know its a high C of G van type thing when you go over speed bumps, potholes, big dips etc. as it will pitch fore and aft much more than a car, and you get 'judders' through the car when you goo over a pothole, in a way you wouldnt get in a car. Other than that, its lovely and smooth. I've tended to assume that all this is explained by it being a 2 ton van and not a car. Anyone else feel/finds their the same, or feels strongly theirs isnt?

Mike