Air Suspension

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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dandemann8
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Air Suspension

Post by dandemann8 » Wed Apr 06, 2011 6:48 am

When away Bongoing I tow a small trailer loaded to the max plus of course my onboard cargo so I was thinking of fitting air suspension to my rear springs to assist the comfort of the ride. :D
So I was wondering just what the pro's and con's of fitting the said item was :?:
Also they say a competent DIY'er can fit these :shock: Is it as simple as fitting, insert air and away you go or is it more technical than that : ?:

Not being mechanically minded any help would go along way in my decision on buying said item.
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dandywarhol
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by dandywarhol » Wed Apr 06, 2011 8:18 am

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... t=air+ride - search and ye will find :D
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by dandemann8 » Wed Apr 06, 2011 9:07 am

Cheers dandy, well I wasn't looking for air lifters so me no findy :lol:
:lol:
Just ordered a set from Matt Savage £107 delivered so hoping to fit at the weekend with the help of the factsheet. :D [-o<
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by dandemann8 » Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:20 pm

Just fitted today :) and wow what a massive improvement in ride quality. Psi set at 30 for starters then try a few different settings when under load conditions. :) would recommend these to be fitted on all Bongo's. :)
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by mikeonb4c » Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:28 pm

dandemann8 wrote:Just fitted today :) and wow what a massive improvement in ride quality. Psi set at 30 for starters then try a few different settings when under load conditions. :) would recommend these to be fitted on all Bongo's. :)
This is a job I keep meaning to do. Think I might buy a kit for when I get a round tuit 8)
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dandemann8
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by dandemann8 » Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:32 pm

mikeonb4c wrote:
dandemann8 wrote:Just fitted today :) and wow what a massive improvement in ride quality. Psi set at 30 for starters then try a few different settings when under load conditions. :) would recommend these to be fitted on all Bongo's. :)
This is a job I keep meaning to do. Think I might buy a kit for when I get a round tuit 8)
You won't regret it :wink:
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dandywarhol
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by dandywarhol » Thu May 19, 2011 8:16 pm

dandemann8 wrote:Just fitted today :) and wow what a massive improvement in ride quality. Psi set at 30 for starters then try a few different settings when under load conditions. :) would recommend these to be fitted on all Bongo's. :)
I found 30 psi really high and settled for 18 on an unconverted Bongo. you don't really want the air to do all of the work - more to assist the metally bits..........
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dave_aber
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by dave_aber » Thu May 19, 2011 8:22 pm

I set mine at 15, and liked the improvement - so I left them at that.

Looking at them recently, they have been nipped between the coils - looks pretty nasty.But, they are still holding air OK.
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by mikeonb4c » Thu May 19, 2011 11:39 pm

dave_aber wrote:I set mine at 15, and liked the improvement - so I left them at that.

Looking at them recently, they have been nipped between the coils - looks pretty nasty.But, they are still holding air OK.
Interesting - I have always wondered if they might fail through chafing or nipping. I wonder if that means you have in effect to keep them well pumped up?
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dandywarhol
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by dandywarhol » Sat May 21, 2011 1:00 pm

dave_aber wrote:I set mine at 15, and liked the improvement - so I left them at that.

Looking at them recently, they have been nipped between the coils - looks pretty nasty.But, they are still holding air OK.
Are your bump stops still attached Dave? I'b be surprised the springs are becoming coilbound :shock: Also, with a full conversion, 15 might be a wee bit low
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by rapiddescent » Sat May 21, 2011 4:11 pm

I'm thinking of getting these as 2 downhill mountain bikes hanging off the back uses the maxumum travel on the rear springs on the way up throught the highlands and can feel the bongo rear suspension bottom out. Must check the fact sheet...
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apole
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by apole » Sat May 21, 2011 8:54 pm

Hi,

I have these and 30 is about right on a V6. The rear springs seem a bit softer. I also have a side conversion, big lpg tank, towbar and often bikes hanging off hte back.

Another good investment for me was to change the rear shocks, that made a good difference too.

Easy to check just rock the car, see how soft it is.

Andy
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by wishmaster » Tue May 31, 2011 3:48 pm

Just ordered these from Matt Savage, gonna try to fit them myself, can i do this with just a basic tool kit :?:

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missfixit70
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by missfixit70 » Tue May 31, 2011 3:53 pm

Depends how basic? if it's just a hammer & a screwdriver you may struggle :wink: but it's not too difficult, this may help - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ry#p498099 or there's a factsheet in the members area.
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Re: Air Suspension

Post by wishmaster » Tue May 31, 2011 6:32 pm

Thanks Kirsty, think i'll give it a go, if im stuck there's a garage just a stones throw away that might save me :roll: :lol:

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