Wind wobble

mancunian · Post by **mancunian** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:31 pm

Having just taken our Bongo to Brighton today, the wind on the Motorways & the QE2 bridge moved the Bongo all over the road. I expect this is normal due to the slab sides, but thought I would ask just in case it is not.

Mark

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:33 pm

Bongo does move about in strong winds, so do most vans and wagons

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:55 pm

I find you get used to wind wobble over time. Seem to get better about dealing with it. Very much the same flying a glider in rough air. Not especially pleasant as you have to stay on the ball but not usually hazardous. Keep speed down is probably the best advice. Happy wobbling

Dabs · Post by **Dabs** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:58 pm

I dont need to go out in the Bongo to wobble,it comes naturally to Me

Dabs
I do agree though the Bongo is as You would expect being slab sided prone to a bit of buffeting especially at speed,just slow down!

Dabs

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 7:00 pm

I used to drive a Suzuki Supercarry van for a firm I used to work for, in windy weather it was a white knuckle ride

Gemtps · Post by **Gemtps** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 7:07 pm

I find the wobble is terrible on the coastal roads.
The drive from Southampton to Portsmouth is well scary. I go all over the road. Today was exceptionally bad.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:29 pm

Yep, the Bongo is best as a fair weather Friendee. But I've not been worried when it is windy, its just that it is not what makes a drive in the Bongo fun.

NicknLiz · Post by **NicknLiz** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:08 pm

Has anyone else experienced this nasty little situation, when you're cruising along the motorway in high winds and the top of the drivers door is shaking in and out enough to make you think "I did shut it properly didn't I?"

We were coming back from Center Parks, but it was only my (drivers) door that did it... I remember hearing that the build quality regarding seals, etc wasn't so good on the Jap vehicles, but this seriously shook me!

So, what's the opinion?

Gemtps · Post by **Gemtps** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:11 pm

NicknLiz wrote:Has anyone else experienced this nasty little situation, when you're cruising along the motorway in high winds and the top of the drivers door is shaking in and out enough to make you think "I did shut it properly didn't I?"

We were coming back from Center Parks, but it was only my (drivers) door that did it... I remember hearing that the build quality regarding seals, etc wasn't so good on the Jap vehicles, but this seriously shook me!

So, what's the opinion?

Exactly the same happened to me yesterday. And the window was shaking like mad - I thought it was going to fall out at one point

NicknLiz · Post by **NicknLiz** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:14 pm

I'm SOOOOOO glad!

I was cacking myself quite nicely... Pulled over twice over the 200 odd miles "just to check"

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:32 pm

It was a particularly nasty day - hope we dont get too many like that

BPH80 · Post by **BPH80** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:49 pm

cant say theres more wobble than me last car a volvo 940

but the bongos MPG is better

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:26 pm

Well I'm kinda mystified by this thread. Admittedly, our Bongo is younger than most, but does have a genuine 91k km on the clock. I was driving it today to work (my other car is not 4wd, and it was snowy) thinking about this thread that I read last night.

I am amazed how little our Bongo is affected by wind considering its shape, and have never experienced the door flexing (but understand the problem described, a familar thing in one of my earlier Landrovers).

I was out yesterday 1000 ft up on the windswept moors, and felt perfectly safe driving at 60-70 mph.

Check door adjustment, and door seals. Remember rubber bits do deteriorate with age. Some Bongos are now 12 years old.

Check tyre pressures, play in steering joints, dampers.

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:53 pm

Well even with a new van a few years ago the wind on the A1 heading north moved me about.

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:10 pm

Another thought I've just had.

Those of you who have experienced door flexing: Have you got wind deflectors fitted? I would have thought the wind pressure on those travelling at speed would tend to keep the door firmly pressed into its opening.

Don't get me wrong, BTW, I'm not saying our Bongo isn't affected by wind - I expect to feel wind movement when driving in any vehicle. But it is not a big issue.