HELP!! Big knock under my Bongo then no reverse!!

[chas collett]

Hi All!
Any advice here would be most welcome!
Had my diesel 4 wheel drive Bongo now for just over a year - love it to bits. It is a 1996 auto model and has covered approx 46K.
Just starting off from home today with a full load when ther was an nasty sounding metallic knock from the rear and bang which could be felt through the vehicle on acceleration. Stopped then moved forward again - ok until I accelerated again then bang same thing. Tried to turn round and found that it won't reverse - engine seemed to be fighting against a 'lock-up'
Could this be a broken diff or gearbox problem?
Thanks from a very unhappy bunny.
Malc.

[francophile1947]

Hi Chas
Welcome to the madhouse
If you go to the User Control Panel at the top right of the forum, you can enter your location in your profile - this really helps us to help you.
Sorry but I'm no expert on the transmission, but somebody will be along shortly. If it is the rear diff, I'm pretty sure you can disconnect the rear propshaft and use it as a front-wheel drive on a temporary basis.

[Harry]

I've had a number of propshaft problems and as franco says you can remove either of the propshafts and the van becomes 2WD.

Unless of course the problem lies with the central transfer box.

If you remove the short rear propshaft its just a case of removing 4 bolts from each end.

If you remove the front propshaft you need to blank off the exposed spline holes/housings.

I found running front wheel drive only was a bit spongy and unresponsive but the van ran fine for well over a week (around 500km of hilly driving)

I had a 'beefed up rear propshaft custom made for about £250 and I'm now running the van as 2WD (rear propshaft only)

I'd suggest checking the propshaft bearings as a starting point as when they fail things can be pretty noisy (loud bang etc) followed by lots of vibration.

Don't forget to put your location down,,,there is sure to be a member locally who can help

good luck

H

[chas collett]

Thanks for those answers chaps! I've now found out that when I start the engine, the vehicle still won't go backwards, but wants to go forward in all other postions of the gear lever, even 'park' and 'Neutral' - sounds a bit more like gearbox problem now - expensive recon??
Thanks again,
Chas.

[helen&tony]

Hi
There are two on e-bay at the moment...both autoboxes
Cheers
Helen

[mister munkey]

Check this thread.

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =1&t=23857

You two should get together

[WISHIHADABONGO]

I will have some gearbox spares very soon pm me!

[chas collett]

Thanks all for the advice. Seems as though it is definitely the gearbox now due to the fact it wants to drive forward in any gear lever position. I'm getting it up on to a friends ramp today to take off the props just to make sure all is well with the diffs, and to see what moves without any load on the box - will report back! Thanks for your offer 'wishihadabongo' - will get in touch when I've taken everything apart!
Chas.

[mister munkey]

Chas, save time & bother. Get Wishy's gearbox, whip yours out, swap your solenoid packs over & Job Done!

[mikeonb4c]

Probably a daft question, but is there any possibility that the gearbox proper is OK but the linkage from the shift is adrift?

[mister munkey]

If you're still stuck & quick enough, this is about to end, no bids yet, starting at £150 . . . .

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mazda-Bongo-Ford- ... .m14.l1318