Suspension problems - wheel bent

[Deep_Lock]

Hi all,

I’m very new to the forum and have owned a bongo for just a few weeks! We are super excited to be part of this community but we’re faced with a bit of an early owner predicament.

Symptoms are the car had a light impact resulting in a dent in front wing. As a result, driver side front wheel is leaning inwards from the top, from driving just a short distance, there was a whining noise as if the tyre or wheel grinding against something.

I had a look underneath and it appears the shock absorber is bent (see pics), but I can’t be 100% certain. Any suggestions such as weak points in the suspension or where I should be looking? The insurance won’t cover it as it’s 3rd party.

Many thanks
Dee

[Bob]

Sorry to hear your bad luck, but welcome aboard.

I can only suggest a professional repair, so depending where you are based someone may be able to suggest a repair shop.

[g8dhe]

Can't say I can remember hearing of something like that before and a search doesn't show up anything but I think you might need to examine the steering system especially the track rods as these may also be damaged if the suspension is not correctly aligned ?

[Deep_Lock]

Sorry to hear your bad luck, but welcome aboard.

I can only suggest a professional repair, so depending where you are based someone may be able to suggest a repair shop.

Thanks Bob.
We’ve identified a specialist near to where our Bongo is stranded, hoping to speak to them on Monday to organise diagnosis and repair.

[Deep_Lock]

Can't say I can remember hearing of something like that before and a search doesn't show up anything but I think you might need to examine the steering system especially the track rods as these may also be damaged if the suspension is not correctly aligned ?

Thank you Geoff.
I also could find anything but did see a comment on the Facebook group about ‘bouncing around like a kangaroo’, this is pretty much what our was doing! Those symptom were due to Shock absorber failure. I’m hoping we can get her back in the road next week!

[Hazzobongo]

Looks like the wheel took more of the brunt of the collision than the dented wing is telling you, inside that shock is a steel rod which is the damping mechanism, if its bent as it looks to be the shock isn't doing its work, I just had one fail and spew its oil out which was giving the same symtoms of bounciness though my other components weren't damaged or out of alignment.

I changed both shocks together which was a bit of a pita but its driving like brand new again, I suggest you have that shock replaced and have the alignment done though it may not need it once theres a straight shock in there which will/should pull the wheel into its correct position.