Buggered Bongo the saga continues!

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior

Post Reply
sunnyjim82

Buggered Bongo the saga continues!

Post by sunnyjim82 » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:12 pm

Replaced pooped diff,had problems with tyre sizes/locking up on the transfer box etc,they're all the same size now and within 1% of the original rolling circumference however still not playing ball.drives ok in a straight line but as soon as I steer (mainly on full lock)it's locking up/scuffing along the road so I'm now lead to believe my transfer box is dead?
Does anyone have a box spare they would like to sell or know anyone around this area(Hampshire) that would repair it for me and be gentle on my withering wallet! Me and my bongo are not friends at the moment.
Also any advise to an apprentice as to what my next move should be would be muchly appreciated :(
Thank you
Ps gonna remove the front prop tomorrow and use it in 2wd until a solution is found,reading here I assume it is as simple and just removing the prop,is that right also!?
Apologies for all the questions,they will lessen over time!i hope!
User avatar
dave_aber
Supreme Being
Posts: 2884
Joined: Tue May 12, 2009 4:33 pm
Location: Elgin, Scotland

Re: Buggered Bongo the saga continues!

Post by dave_aber » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:21 pm

Sounds like the VC which is what does the work in the transfer box is permanently engaged. As you have probably guessed, you will ruin your new tyres like that.

As far as I have read, it's pretty much a case of just removing the front propshaft. Where it connects into the VC is a dry socket, no worries about pulling it out and something nasty dribbling out.

I have also read somewhere about removing both front driveshafts at the same time, and refitting the outer CV joints to keep the wheel bearings together. Not sure if it's really necessary to remove the driveshafts - Mr Monkey will know, he's replaced his 4WD gearbox with a 2WD one recently.
Image...Image
There are 10 types of people in this world.
Those that understand binary, and those that don't.
teenmal
Supreme Being
Posts: 3656
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:08 pm
Location: north lanarkshire

Re: Buggered Bongo the saga continues!

Post by teenmal » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:25 pm

sunnyjim82 wrote:Replaced pooped diff,had problems with tyre sizes/locking up on the transfer box etc,they're all the same size now and within 1% of the original rolling circumference however still not playing ball.drives ok in a straight line but as soon as I steer (mainly on full lock)it's locking up/scuffing along the road so I'm now lead to believe my transfer box is dead?
Does anyone have a box spare they would like to sell or know anyone around this area(Hampshire) that would repair it for me and be gentle on my withering wallet! Me and my bongo are not friends at the moment.
Also any advise to an apprentice as to what my next move should be would be muchly appreciated :(
Thank you
Ps gonna remove the front prop tomorrow and use it in 2wd until a solution is found,reading here I assume it is as simple and just removing the prop,is that right also!?
Apologies for all the questions,they will lessen over time!i hope!
Hi sunnyjim82,

Unless you really need a 4WD vehicle I would convert it to a 2WD,if you start fitting second hand bits a pieces it could be never ending.(a Saga)
sunnyjim82

Re: Buggered Bongo the saga continues!

Post by sunnyjim82 » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:52 pm

One of the reasons I wanted a bongo is for the 4wd though! :( might keep it 2 for a while until I can free up some money to turn it back properly thanks for your advise guys much appreciated
User avatar
Simon Jones
Supreme Being
Posts: 9341
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:34 pm
Location: Salisbury (ish), Wiltshire

Re: Buggered Bongo the saga continues!

Post by Simon Jones » Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:03 am

£275 will get you a used gearbox and transfer box. You could either take the bits off and sell the rest, or fit the whole unit and sell yours. A decent gearbox will probably go for £200, so you won't be too far out of pocket.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-Bongo-F ... _500wt_922
User avatar
Northern Bongolow
Supreme Being
Posts: 7722
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:33 pm
Location: AKA Vanessa

Re: Buggered Bongo the saga continues!

Post by Northern Bongolow » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:27 am

sunnyjim82 wrote:drives ok in a straight line but as soon as I steer (mainly on full lock)it's locking up/scuffing along the road so I'm now lead to believe my transfer box is dead?
before you go ripping lumps of it are you sure you have a problem.
they all drag/lock wheels when on full lock as the viscus coupling is locking as it should its detecting a difference of wheel speed from front to back axles.

have you got a limited slip rear diff, this will also impact on the amount of lock up and where it has to (let it go) slip.
go on the russian web site and see what spec rear diff you have.

from what you are saying everything seems fine to me.

go on the internet and put in TESTING THE VC this will show you how to measure the sheer forces and possibly confirm all is well.
sunnyjim82

Re: Buggered Bongo the saga continues!

Post by sunnyjim82 » Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:55 pm

Simon Jones wrote:£275 will get you a used gearbox and transfer box. You could either take the bits off and sell the rest, or fit the whole unit and sell yours. A decent gearbox will probably go for £200, so you won't be too far out of pocket.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-Bongo-F ... _500wt_922
Good call ;)

Any turning at all makes the wheels lock up,it does feel like it is winding up slightly in a straight line also,definitely transfer box my tyres wouldn't last 50 miles if I drove it like that,for now I've removed the front prop and it drives fine but do want to put it back to 4wd soon.
I've done the check on the Russian website and mine is a normal rear diff.
Thanks for your replies guys will keep ya updated on my progress if any! ;)
User avatar
crazy uncle gray g
Supreme Being
Posts: 1695
Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:38 pm
Location: new forest

Re: Buggered Bongo the saga continues!

Post by crazy uncle gray g » Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:51 pm

:-k There's a guy in Castle Lane Between Chandlers Ford and North Baddesley who is always breaking 1 or 2 he may be worth a visit :wink:
cheers! party on dudes.
User avatar
sdsk
Bongolier
Posts: 157
Joined: Fri May 06, 2011 9:04 am
Location: Test Valley, Hampshire

Re: Buggered Bongo the saga continues!

Post by sdsk » Fri Apr 20, 2012 2:02 pm

crazy uncle gray g wrote::-k There's a guy in Castle Lane Between Chandlers Ford and North Baddesley who is always breaking 1 or 2 he may be worth a visit :wink:
That'll be Southern Bongos
ImageImage
2001 Aero 2.0l JAL Skylift roof & K2 Campers Intrepid Rear conversion in Carbon Fibre
User avatar
Lotustuart
Bongonaut
Posts: 38
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:01 pm
Location: Southampton
Contact:

Re: Buggered Bongo the saga continues!

Post by Lotustuart » Fri Apr 20, 2012 2:06 pm

crazy uncle gray g wrote::-k There's a guy in Castle Lane Between Chandlers Ford and North Baddesley who is always breaking 1 or 2 he may be worth a visit :wink:
That'll be Kevin at southern bongos. His son does all his mechanical work in his own garage in Eastleigh. And yes he does have alot of bongo parts.
User avatar
sdsk
Bongolier
Posts: 157
Joined: Fri May 06, 2011 9:04 am
Location: Test Valley, Hampshire

Re: Buggered Bongo the saga continues!

Post by sdsk » Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:21 pm

Lotustuart wrote: That'll be Kevin at southern bongos. His son does all his mechanical work in his own garage in Eastleigh. And yes he does have alot of bongo parts.
Which garage would that be in Eastleigh? Master Tech Autos?
ImageImage
2001 Aero 2.0l JAL Skylift roof & K2 Campers Intrepid Rear conversion in Carbon Fibre
Post Reply

Return to “Techie Stuff”