Bongo Fury

My parents were in a near fatal car accident this time last year. Although their seatbelts no doubt saved their lives, my mother suffered a broken rib and bad bruising from the belt and the airbag exploded rather than deployed which caused severe bruising to her neck and face. So much so that she was barely recognisable. The car was a 6 year old Peugeot (say no more) and a write off. Still, better wounded than dead I suppose. Makes you wonder about the longevity of airbags though

There is a way of fooling the electrical circuit into thinking that the airbag is still fitted, I think you'll need to take the plug with the thick yellow wire, and bridge the circuit with two pieces of wire, with a small 5 amp fuse fitted at each end of the looped "loom".

This will make the light illuminate as the ignition is switched on, and extinguish as it should once the system has self checked.

I have a 95 bongo without airbag, so i can't check the above trick myself, I'm hoping the mazda system is the same as fords, otherwise all bets are off!

Veg_Ian wrote:My parents were in a near fatal car accident this time last year. Although their seatbelts no doubt saved their lives, my mother suffered a broken rib and bad bruising from the belt and the airbag exploded rather than deployed which caused severe bruising to her neck and face. So much so that she was barely recognisable. The car was a 6 year old Peugeot (say no more) and a write off. Still, better wounded than dead I suppose. Makes you wonder about the longevity of airbags though

Sorry to hear that Ian, i hope your mum made a full recovery? I seem to recall there being a spate of fatalities, and near fatalities in airbags infant days.

There is no excuse for a modern airbag to cause such injuries.

bigdaddycain wrote:There is no excuse for a modern airbag to cause such injuries.

Yes Ste, they're a lot better nowadays.
The thing is that airbags, especially the older ones, inflate virtually instantly, until they are rock hard, and then deflate fairly quickly. If you are seated the correct distance from the bag (and wearing a seatbelt), you should hit the airbag when it is already deflating. What never ceases to amaze me is the number of people who sit far too close to them. These people will receive serious injury, if the bag goes off, as they hit the bag whilst it is still inflating - a bit like hitting a brick wall

What never ceases to amaze me is the number of people who sit far too close to them.

I'm glad your mum's OK. But this has worried me - I have my seat as close as possible, otherwise I can't reach the pedals.

francophile1947 wrote: What never ceases to amaze me is the number of people who sit far too close to them. These people will receive serious injury, if the bag goes off, as they hit the bag whilst it is still inflating - a bit like hitting a brick wall

Spot on john... The same importance should be employed to correct height adjustment of the "head rest" too, i use the term lightly,as it's a safety item really, not somewhere to simply rest one's head.

An incorrectly adjusted head rest can snap a neck.

It seems to me that anyone who manages to source a suitable shed load of modern replacement air bags for Bongos and finds a way of removing the old air bag and installing the new one safely is going to make a killing from worried Bongo owners.

Doone wrote:

What never ceases to amaze me is the number of people who sit far too close to them.

I'm glad your mum's OK. But this has worried me - I have my seat as close as possible, otherwise I can't reach the pedals.

A lot of women seem to have this problem, but the answer is simple. Ideally, there should only be a slight bend in your arms, when holding the steering wheel at the 10 to 2 position. If this isn't the case, move the seat as far back as you can, so that you can still reach the pedals, and recline the seat slightly. It'll feel funny to start with, but you'll soon adapt

I will give it a try. I think I may feel either as if I'm driving up hill or will be so laid back I'll fall asleep. Hope I can still see over the bonnet. Seriously though, I will try this, thank you.

Doone wrote: I will give it a try. I think I may feel either as if I'm driving up hill or will be so laid back I'll fall asleep. Hope I can still see over the bonnet. Seriously though, I will try this, thank you.

If all else fails you'll have to dig out some old platform soled shoes................

Santa did indeed bring me a new steering wheel for xmas. (my feeet are cold now as the socks didn't come only the wheel).
I have seen photos of some other members with new ones as well.
So taking all the previous advice and conversations on board I will throw them out the window and fit it anyway.
So could someone who has removed and replaced with a new one let me know if it's easy.

Cheers
Steve

Like the puller idea Nick
If you just slacken off the nut holding the steering wheel but leave it in place then a few good thumps upwards on the steering wheel should loosen it off without it it hitting you in the face
There's a certain forum member from Wigan who can tell you a funny story on that one

missfixit70 wrote:There's a certain forum member from Wigan who can tell you a funny story on that one

I think he's from Nether Wallop nowadays

missfixit70 wrote:Like the puller idea Nick
If you just slacken off the nut holding the steering wheel but leave it in place then a few good thumps upwards on the steering wheel should loosen it off without it it hitting you in the face
There's a certain forum member from Wigan who can tell you a funny story on that one

DON'T thump it with a hammer - you're liable to shear the plastic pins which are designed to shear on impact (with rib cage/head/knees/etc.) The inner column is 2 piece and designed to collapse on impact.

Hi
Cheeky lot, you are....Air Hostesses, Flight attendants, maybe......but Airbags???

Seriously, have you considered that removing part of a car's original safety equipment may invalidate your insurance, whatever the claim?....Insurance companies are well known for wriggling out of any payment. From another point of view, you may also be contravening the law, as it may fall under "construction and use" regulations.....not sure of the latter, but as sure as eggs is eggs, the insurers will rub their hands with glee in the event of a claim. Sporty-looking wheels are available with airbags, but very pricey.....if you want a go-faster steering wheel, buy a non-airbag Bongo!
Cheers
Helen