2wd -rear wheel drive - any cornering problems ?

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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Veg_Ian

Post by Veg_Ian » Thu Nov 02, 2006 12:19 pm

I'm not sure I share that argument Colin. I don't think RWD or FWD affects the turning circle. If anything I've noticed the Bongo has a crap turning circle compared with my other cars present and recent with a mixed bag of RWD and FWD.
Vanmanerik

Post by Vanmanerik » Thu Nov 02, 2006 1:36 pm

2 sticks and Apps, just where exactly have you seen Mazda recommend the same tyres front and rear, and which models and years were they recommended for?
Colin Lambert

Post by Colin Lambert » Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:22 pm

Veg,
If you think about it if you have (on an old car) a king pin or on a new one a McPherson strut. There is nothing to limit the turn of the wheel apart from either an intentionally postioned 'stop' or the tyre hitting the wheel arch. This can be more than 90degrees. I have yet to see a UJ that can bend past 85 degrees and still transmit power At 90 degs it will lock up.
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This happens to be off a Saab 900 but it is exactly what is on any front wheel drive or 4WD vehicle.
If you can turn that through 90 degrees I'll buy you a pint!
What we need is someone with the factory stated turning circles of both 2wd &4wd Bongos. Any offers anyone? Russion Contingent?
Ian
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Location: Bongo Mission Control

Post by Ian » Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:33 pm

The turning radius for both 2WD and 4WD is 5.5m.
668. The Neighbour of The Beast.
jimsmimm

Post by jimsmimm » Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:10 pm

If you floor your your 2wd bongo coming out of a round about in the wet and end up facing the other way you'll wish you,d bought a 4wd if not you wont.......I,ve got 2 4x4s which are both RWD till you flick a switch or pull a lever and one of them has a tendancy to step out and the other doesn't ......go figure :?:
moonshine

Post by moonshine » Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:18 pm

One of the other reasons I dislike FWD is the poor turning circle. I was surprised however, how good the Bongo 4WD turning circle is.

I've just crossed Jaguar off my wish-list, Colin! Yes, I well remember the Triumph Herald. Apart from a London taxi, it was about the only vehicle I knew of that could turn in a normal road without having to do a three point turn. What about that engine accessibility too? You could carry out most engine repairs sitting on one of the front wheels, when you opened that huge bonnet. My 1850 Dolomite had a much better turning circle than any FWD car, but not as good as a Herald.
Vanmanerik

Same Tyres?????

Post by Vanmanerik » Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:58 am

Repeat...................... as no reply.

'2 sticks and Apps, just where exactly have you seen Mazda recommend the same tyres front and rear, and which models and years were they recommended for?'
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Timnz
Bongolier
Posts: 153
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 10:05 am
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Post by Timnz » Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:33 am

I have a 2wd, and standard width 215 tyres at the rear, and the traction is great, you have to really floor it while turning out of an off camber road to get any wheel spin, even on sharp corners, very solid, even climbed some grass hills on damp grass, with the auto you can drive so slow, it didn't even spin the wheels...
On gravel it is super stable, maybe I am just used to FWD cars but it just doesn't slide around at all, maybe the weight on the rear wheels?
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