Strange feeling in my steering!

[boomer]

Thoroughly stressed over my Bongo. Have just returned from a long trip down south, had to get prop shaft replaced while away. Thought it was all sorted but on the way back noticed a slight resistance when steering. It's very unnerving, you go to turn and just for a split second you think it's not going to go but then it does. It is very slight, no noises, steering fluid OK.

Took into garage they could feel it but have not yet identified it.

I'm going to get tyres and tracking checked but I don't think that's the problem.

One thing the garage queried is that the tyres on the front are a different size to the ones on the back - is that normal? back ones are reinforced front ones are not - should they be?

Anyone had any similar probs/solutions.

[westonwarrior]

factory fitted tyres are different size front to back so thats not it

is there play in the steering wheel when stationary?

[boomer]

Don't think so but I'm pretty hopeless, feels OK to me. It's like something is not 'catching' and then it does. Intermittent, drove fine yesterday.

[Ralph]

Check power steering belt is tensioned right and not
contaminated with oil.

[bigdaddycain]

Good point ralph, or is the fluid 100% efficient? The level may be fine,the colour of the fluid may be fine, but who's to say that if its still the original fluid in there,it's can still provide the power steering pump with the required assistance?

I think i'd be inclined to replace the fluid as a matter of course.

[Harry]

Hi Boomer and welcome to the madhouse

It would really help if you put your location on your profile/

There are loads of well experienced owners out there who would be happy to give her the once over.

good luck

H

[boomer]

Thanks for those tips. Sorry didn't reply sooner the council accidently chopped through our telephone cable! Will ask garage to check those, although they're not very happy working on it, as not familiar with bongos.
Will look at how to put location on - it's Oban area.
I need to get new front tyres -at the moment there are 195/70 R15 on the front and 215/65 R15 on the back. Do I replace with same? back ones are reinforced, should the fronts be?

Exhaust also needs doing but am having trouble identifying parts to order, so garage can put on. Is there anywhere online that has the exhaust system laid out to view?

Also what is the box attached onto the side of exhaust approx in middle of vehicle. have got pics but dont think I can attach on forum.

Loved my Bongo to start with but what with the salt air eating away at it and no-one here who knows how to deal with it, it's days may be numbered.

Dispondant bongonaut

[Harry]

Hi boomer

Sorry to hear about oyur woes.

Thre are a few bongo owners up in Argyll..no doubt one of our Scottish section will be able to help/advise.

Some of the Northwest gand are heading North in May to the Scottish meet at Fort William then on to the Hebrides...they may also be able to help.

I live beside the sea on Morecambe Bay I'd I've not noticed the sea air effecting my van.

I keep the top well waxed and wash down underneath with a jetwash every few weeks. Its not undersealed like many bongos.

Re the exhaust...the extra box sounds strange...could be part of a winterising kit (not needed in the UK).

Have a word with Ian at Bongo Towers re the exhaust...he sells them (complete or in sections) and the price is not bad.

Tyres....is yours a 4WD...if so I would stick with the tyre sizes you have but fit reinforced front and back. Mine was 4WD but with uneven tyre wear and propshaft problems I've removed and blanked off the front propshaft and am now 2WD with no probs.

good luck

H

[mikeonb4c]

There's some well priced (for what they are, still not cheap) stainless steel exhaust options available too. Try a Search on here (or PM Scottish member BroraBongo, who fitted one). On a separate thread, BF Scottish member Vanvliet has done a quality bodge on his back box by removing it and replacing with a length of flexi steel pipe. Hardly any noisier and may even run a bit better. Try PM'ing him.

I'd get the propshaft / strange steering thing sorted first. If that gets sorted without serious hassle then it would be worth considerng spending on the other stuff (all cars throw bills like that). But until its sorted, you might be throwing good money after bad.

Good luck - keep us posted.

Mike

[bigdaddycain]

There's some well priced (for what they are, still not cheap) stainless steel exhaust options available too.

Did that breakers on e-bay sell the s/s exhaust that Pat McKenna had fitted?

[sdemmery]

I have to say this problem happend to me too. Exactly as you describe it. I have another post somewhere on this board about a year ago. I have tried belts, fluids & just about everything you can think of. I'm 99% sure its a faulty steering rack.This is a fairly common problem I believe.

I had the van booked into Bell Hill to have it sorted about a year ago. The day before I was due to take it the problem cleared & the steering was very light. So I left it. 6 months later problem was back for about a week & got progressivly worse. In fact almost like there was no PAS. Then voila, problem gone again for 3 months. Then back but only very slight for about a week, then fine again. It drives me nuts, but I just dont have the cash to spend on a Steering Rack replacment. I think I was quoted £300 to £400 all in. I do all my own Bongo work & have someone local who will recon the rack for £120 but I just dont fancy the job.

What Bell Hill did say was something about a seal flipping over in the rack & I guess jaming. I have to say thats exactly what it feels like.

Anyway Im sure this is not the news you wanted to hear but you may be lucky & its something else

Cheers
Stu

[dandywarhol]

Thanks for those tips. Sorry didn't reply sooner the council accidently chopped through our telephone cable! Will ask garage to check those, although they're not very happy working on it, as not familiar with bongos.
Will look at how to put location on - it's Oban area.
I need to get new front tyres -at the moment there are 195/70 R15 on the front and 215/65 R15 on the back. Do I replace with same? back ones are reinforced, should the fronts be?

Exhaust also needs doing but am having trouble identifying parts to order, so garage can put on. Is there anywhere online that has the exhaust system laid out to view?

Also what is the box attached onto the side of exhaust approx in middle of vehicle. have got pics but dont think I can attach on forum.

Loved my Bongo to start with but what with the salt air eating away at it and no-one here who knows how to deal with it, it's days may be numbered.

Dispondant bongonaut

http://www.lushprojects.com/
click on the Bongo section Boomer.
This was done by one of the members on here - huge ammount of time involved and a credit to him.

[Rhod]

Have PM'd you Boomer.
Rhod

[scanner]

This
http://www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsm ... mgno=.html

is the page you want but it doesn't seem to show the Winter Pack version with the quick heat up box you appear to be describing.

Dump it for a plain common or garden system anyway..................

[dandywarhol]

This
http://www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsm ... mgno=.html

is the page you want but it doesn't seem to show the Winter Pack version with the quick heat up box you appear to be describing.

Dump it for a plain common or garden system anyway..................

Part 1355 is the winter valve.