Bongo Fury

Ralph wrote:Somewhere on here is a message telling how to check the
coupling it gives a torque setting at which the thing should slip
think it was from one of our Russian members.

The last link on my first post has the Russian guide..............

Well I've considered the options:

1. Get propshaft mended (£45) and try again (not now possible due to damage)

2. Get recon propshaft from scrappers and try again (£120)

3. Get new custom made 'beefed up' propshaft (£200) and try again.

4. Get whole system overhauled and tranfer box/LSD replaced (£1200)

5. Using new heavy duty rear propshaft get van converted to 2WD (£350 inc propshaft)

I'm favouring option 5 at the moment.

H

A few obsevations about driving around with the rear propshaft removed.

1. The van will still move/freewheel when 'Park' is selected. I've never had to use the handbrake so much for years.

2. The ride is very smooth and quiet.

3. Revving gets you nowhere fast but smooth use of the accellerator and the van/gear changes behave normally.

4. I've that horrible feeling of pushing my luck driving around using just a chain and the LSD for propulsion. I'll be very relieved to get a proper direct propshaft drive fitted again....but having said that I've done about 90 miles today uphill and down dale including some motorway driving without so much as a peep.

H

Harry

Have you sought advice from any experts as to whether you will be doing
any long term damage driving it like this??

Brian

Dandy wrote

It's my understanding that when the VC fails the gel inside loses its viscosity and becomes to all intent and purpose a solid drive - this then knocks hell out of the tyres and prop/driveshafts. It'll eventually wreck the diffs!

Short of testing the viscous coupling regularly by the torque method then, doe this mean that the VC could fail (effectively lock-up) and there would actually be no warning of the damage occuring until propshafts & diffs start to disintegrate? Or would there be an increased level of vibration?

Interesting that Harry says that

The ride is very smooth and quiet

without the rear propshaft. Well I guess you'd expect vibration associated with a propshaft break-up, but does the comment suggest that the van has never been "smooth & quiet" with the rear prop running? Not always easy to tell admittedly since these things tend to creep up over time & you just get used to them. Harry?

Hi Brian

Both the mechanic who removed the broken rear propshaft in NW Scotland prior to a 300 mile+ return journey to the Lakes fully loaded and towing a trailer in June 06 and my own mechanic who is pretty good with 4x4s expressed the opinion that it is ok providing the driving is very smooth and controlled.

The gearbox is not effected...only the transfer box (probably the cause of my current problems) which is under some extra stress but not terminally so unless abused. My current thoughts/intentions is to convert the van to 2WD.

I'm taking it very steady until my new propshaft is ready next week.

If it all goes tits up then I'll just have to grit my teeth and cough up the money for a bigger job...but that will still be cheaper than either closing down the business or hiring a van for deliveries.

H