Rear Shock absorber bushes

Lovejoy · Post by **Lovejoy** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:02 am

While in to have new front drop links replaced today, I have been told that the REAR shock absorber bushes are, erm, what's the technical term, knackered, that's it.

The shocks themselves are fine.

Anyone know if it is possible to buy just the bushes, as at around £70 each i'm reluctant to replace the shocks themselves when they are OK.

Thanks

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:54 am

The EPC doesn't show the bushes as being separate items. I had a similar dilemma with shocks on another import vehicle so I think I'm pretty safe in saying you won't be able to buy replacement bushes for your shocks. What you can try is creating a temporary fix by wrapping the bolt with some thin rubber such as that from an inner tube so as to take up the space left from the worn bush. As long as it is tight and prevents metal to metal knock, you should get a few more thousand miles out of your shocks.

Lovejoy · Post by **Lovejoy** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:03 am

Hi Ian, thanks, that's what I feared.

I'll speak to my mechanic and see if there's anything he can do to get them by until the next MoT, as long as it's safe.

Cheers for the quick reply.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:40 pm

Lovejoy - silly question maybe, but you are sure that garage are referring to the shocks and not the rear drop link / antiroll bar bushes, as these are the very common problem on Bongos, not the shocks as far as I'm aware. Its just possible the garage didnt make themselves clear (we can hope!)

Mike

Lovejoy · Post by **Lovejoy** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:08 pm

Hi Mike,

No, it's definitely the shocks he was talking about because I thought he was talking about the drop links/roll bars at first and told him about the Ford Galaxy being the same size(ish).

But then he said it was the shocks not the antiroll bars.

I'll see what he's done when I go and collect it later.

And there was me thinking that fitting some curtain rails was my biggest problem

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:28 pm

One way of looking at this is that if the bushes are on their way out then the shocks themselves can't be far behind. So save yourself the hassle and replace them anyway. Easy enough job to do yourself. You can get the pair for about 70 quid BTW not just one.

Lovejoy · Post by **Lovejoy** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:14 pm

Pair for £70 ? Where ? If that's the price then I'll get 'em done.

I went onto the Bongobits website and i'm sure they were that much each.

I'll go back and check.

Sorry, it was AVA where I saw them at £75 incl vat each.

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:29 pm

I put a pair of Procomp US sport shocks on mine, Tried to find my previous post with the details but can't find the post. I'll hunt out the invoice and post the details tonight if I think on. I also recall an entry in Bongo Clinic stating a similar price - check the Clinic archives.

Lovejoy · Post by **Lovejoy** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:50 pm

Thanks, i'll do that.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:52 pm

On the bright side, it'll be interesting to see how much better the Bongo feels with new shocks. If its anything like drop links, it'll feel like a new car again (well the back half will anyway!)

Lovejoy · Post by **Lovejoy** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:01 pm

Well I got it back, and the knocking is still there (having had the front drop links replaced)

Peter says he can find nothing wrong with any part of the front of the vehicle to cause the knocking, and is convinced it is the worn rubbers on the rear which makes the sound appear to be coming from the front.

So, looks like it's new shocks for the rear and see if that solves it.

On the plus side, while the vehicle was with him all day he gave it a good look over, and apart from the shocks, declared it is in a very good state of health.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:14 pm

Keep going Lovejoy - she will be a lovely ride once all the parts have been replaced.

Pull up to the Bumper
http://img.search.com/f/f1/Grace_Jones.JPG

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:36 am

Sorry Lovejoy, had a bit of a crisis last night that went on until late so the part numbers slipped my mind. I'll post early evening when I get home - promise. They deliver next day so you won't be waiting long.

I'm a bit surprised though that you think the noise is from the front yet your mechanic says it could be the rear. Have you driven with the windows down to get a better indication of direction? Or take a passenger and ask him/her to sit in different seats. The front anti-roll bar bushes are another favourite for failing and causing a knocking noise but they should have been obvious - odd

Lovejoy · Post by **Lovejoy** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:10 am

mikeonb4c wrote:once all the parts have been replaced.

What, ALL of them

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Lovejoy · Post by **Lovejoy** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:17 am

Veg_Ian wrote:Sorry Lovejoy, had a bit of a crisis last night....

Nothing too serious I hope Ian, and it's not a problem as my car is still on the road and working, so this shock thing can wait for some further investigation and information.

I am going to take her out round the block today and have another listen to that sound. I have only ever travelled in the back once and do not remember if the noise was worse or not, so I'll have to do that and see if I can get a better idea where it's coming from.

Shame it's not on the near side, or I could get someone to drive down our lane while I hung out the sliding door to listen. Sounds like good fun if nothing else

At least the front drop links have been replaced, even if they didn't need to be - it sounds like a job a lot of folk have to do, so it was worth getting it done as the parts were bought anyway.