Rear suspension

[IOWBongo]

hi is it just me or does anyone else find the rear suspension far too soft if so is there any thing i can do to stiffen it up a little cheers simon

[missfixit70]

Either try new springs or do what a load of us have done & fit air assistors (Airlift 1000 from Matt Savage) this should point you in the right direction http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... +assistors

[Velocette]

You could fit spring assisters if you carry a lot of weight, there are threads on here about them. IMO a tall relatively narrow vehicle with a live axle is never going to be great on big bumps.

[The Great Pretender]

Soft as in bump or roll?

[Northern Bongolow]

if its soft as in bumping on the rear bump stops, i made some same size but slightly softer compound bump stops, no more travel than before,just a softer hit.

[dunslair]

+1 for Airlift 1000. We carry a 4 bike towbar mount bike rack and it has made a world of difference. we are inflated to about 20psi (some like it firmer, some softer.... you pay your money and take your choice)

[mikeonb4c]

+1 for Airlift 1000. We carry a 4 bike towbar mount bike rack and it has made a world of difference. we are inflated to about 20psi (some like it firmer, some softer.... you pay your money and take your choice)

Do they mamke the Bongo ride any better over potholes - the roads round us are atrocious and its my only (minor) ciriticism of my Bongo (i.e. it tramps and rattles of bad road surfaces)

[mikeonb4c]

if its soft as in bumping on the rear bump stops, i made some same size but slightly softer compound bump stops, no more travel than before,just a softer hit.

How did you do that Ady, as I'd like to fabricate one if poss. £40 for a new one is a bit steep!

[dunslair]

+1 for Airlift 1000. We carry a 4 bike towbar mount bike rack and it has made a world of difference. we are inflated to about 20psi (some like it firmer, some softer.... you pay your money and take your choice)

Do they mamke the Bongo ride any better over potholes - the roads round us are atrocious and its my only (minor) ciriticism of my Bongo (i.e. it tramps and rattles of bad road surfaces)

Absolutely. Tends not to lumber around from side to side as much over the rough bumps. The van also looks a little more...... 'pert' at the rear.... which is always nice to see

[mikeonb4c]

+1 for Airlift 1000. We carry a 4 bike towbar mount bike rack and it has made a world of difference. we are inflated to about 20psi (some like it firmer, some softer.... you pay your money and take your choice)

Do they mamke the Bongo ride any better over potholes - the roads round us are atrocious and its my only (minor) ciriticism of my Bongo (i.e. it tramps and rattles of bad road surfaces)

Absolutely. Tends not to lumber around from side to side as much over the rough bumps. The van also looks a little more...... 'pert' at the rear.... which is always nice to see

I like the sound of this. Might have to finally get around to buying and fitting some. Thanks++ for that.

[missfixit70]

As the airlifts are effectively stiffening up the suspension, I'm not sure it'll help much with the harshness of the ride on rough roads Mike, unless you're constantly hitting the bumpstops, it will help with excessive travel & the rolling/yawing & improve the rear ride height with any load in/on the back of the bongo.

[dunslair]

As the airlifts are effectively stiffening up the suspension, I'm not sure it'll help much with the harshness of the ride on rough roads Mike, unless you're constantly hitting the bumpstops, it will help with excessive travel & the rolling/yawing & improve the rear ride height with any load in/on the back of the bongo.

I think it was just the 'pert rear' that the liked the sound of Kirsty

[missfixit70]

Wouldn't surprise me

[mikeonb4c]

As the airlifts are effectively stiffening up the suspension, I'm not sure it'll help much with the harshness of the ride on rough roads Mike, unless you're constantly hitting the bumpstops, it will help with excessive travel & the rolling/yawing & improve the rear ride height with any load in/on the back of the bongo.

Yes I did wonder about that except/unless the airbags add a little noise and vibration damping to the springs. I notice too that my Bongo is harsher on bad roads when it is carrying a load and maybe again it help there. If any of this proves to be true, it will perhaps be because being air filled and thus flexible, the Airlifts might just offer a bit of smoothing out of 'bangs'.

I suppose the obvious thing is to ask you what thoughts you had 'before and after', as you have them fitted and are a keen observer.

And you're right Dunslair, a little pertness is always welcome, but I'd settle for a comfortable ride these days, especially since I'm carrying a heavier load than of yore.

[missfixit70]

I would say it's a slightly harsher ride, especially if I've still got it up @ 18-20 psi & not much load in it, but the main reason for fitting it for me was to prevent the wallowing & bottoming out with a back box on, & it does that well, the feeling of improved handling/slightly stiffer ride is a bonus.