Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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missfixit70
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Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by missfixit70 » Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:28 pm

Just having a look underneath to see if I can see where my steering rack is leaking from & noticed the droplinks:

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These were bought & fitted last september - I don't think the ones that came off were that bad :evil:
Beware the cheap droplinks from ebay it seems :evil: I will be pursuing this with the seller.
Last edited by missfixit70 on Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by Dolly1 » Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:37 pm

Tough luck Kirsty,they look about 5 year old !!
Definitely have a word or three in their ear.
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missfixit70
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Re: Droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by missfixit70 » Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:53 pm

I think a few people may be suffering the same fate if they've bought these - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mazda-Bongo-front ... .m14.l1318 from this guy. I've emailed him so hopefully he'll be forthcoming as he's one of those rarities - an ebay seller still there after a year :shock: Maybe it's why he started selling the "heavy duty" version - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mazda-Bongo-front ... .m14.l1318.
Anyone that's fitted droplinks in the last year or 2 - go & check them.
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Re: Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by cheffy34 » Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:27 pm

Bummer MSF :shock: :evil: and i've fitted the same ones by looks of it :evil: :roll:
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Re: Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by cheffy34 » Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:31 pm

Also while i think of it i've noticed a knock from my rear and i replaced the lot inc roll bars n brackets not long back, i'm off 2morrow reckon imight get myself under and have a gander at what happening :?
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Re: Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by helen&tony » Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:51 am

Hi
We fitted Mazda originals....hoping to get a bit of life from them!!
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Re: Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by tricky » Sun Jul 13, 2008 10:07 am

Just a thought missfixit70... did you fit them yourself or use s garage you trust? Just wondering that, if you paid someone to fit them, they didn't bother and these are still the old ones.
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Re: Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by westonwarrior » Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:26 am

I bought the same ones just over a year ago and fitted them myself

I just replaced the brake pads and checked the drop links at the same time

Mine are in a worse condition Than Kirsty's

but over a year so don't think I can go back to the dealer and they are described as origonals too
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Re: Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by missfixit70 » Sun Jul 13, 2008 1:22 pm

tricky wrote:Just a thought missfixit70... did you fit them yourself or use s garage you trust? Just wondering that, if you paid someone to fit them, they didn't bother and these are still the old ones.
Pay someone else :shock: how dare you :!: :wink: No these were done by me & I still have the old ones

Rob - even if it's over a year I'd say you still have some recourse as they are "not fit for purpose" - especially if they are sold as originals :roll:
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Re: Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by brookie » Sun Jul 13, 2008 1:36 pm

Are Vauxhall Vectra ones a compatible fit, I seem to remember seeing it somewhere. Just a thought for a bit of price comparison with any Mazda originals etc. At least an "original part" may be a bit more durable.
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Re: Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by missfixit70 » Sun Jul 13, 2008 1:40 pm

Vectra ones are apparantly a compatible fit if replaced in pairs - see the "compatible parts database" at the top of the techie section - but how long will they last? Are these ones actually vectra ones sold as Bongo ones? I'd prefer to pay a bit more for the proper job & have them last more than 10 months :roll:
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Re: Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by westonwarrior » Sun Jul 13, 2008 2:50 pm

well even the originals only come with a 12 month guarentee

and the heavy duty ones listed say a thicker bar not better rubber

I think I will find real originals from the club shop and do mine again
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Re: Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by Benjymac » Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:31 pm

Just a thought. Would it be worth it to Waxoyl them in future?
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missfixit70
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Re: Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by missfixit70 » Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:34 pm

Not gonna stop the rubber perishing :? That's the problem.
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Re: Front droplinks fubar after less than a year?

Post by Benjymac » Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:47 pm

Not sure if they react but would a bit of vaseline on the rubber help (hmmm, hope everyone reads the full post as this alone sounds a bit dodgy! :shock: )
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