drop links - Bongo Shop MAZDA V equivalent

[bigdaddycain]

There are some excellent thought provoking posts on this thread,my personal opinion, and not just aimed at the bongo either, it is a generalization... I'd like to use OEM brake pads, gaskets, and a small overlooked item, the oil filter!

I'd generally pay the same for a good second hand body panel over a new pattern panel.

I remember a guy at my local parts counter mentioning that pattern parts HAVE to be a certain percentage different to the intended parts they replace, this doesn't make the PP faulty, or indeed any less suitable for the task it was intended for, but i doubt that Pattern mechanical parts are party to the rigorous testing that new cars are put through during development. The only criteria the PP has to acheive is that the suppliers of that particular item don't notice how many are returned!

Even manufacturer's of french or italian cars are developed, it's just that their respective OEM parts ARE very comparable to the pattern equivelant.

We are limited with the bongo. it was never released in our home market, i guess we should consider ourselves lucky that we can get our hands on ANY kind of part, be they original, or spurious.

[mikeonb4c]

Just to spice things up, when I came to replace my Bongo front droplinks, I found that one (the one that was much harder to get off) looked like a Mazda original, and the other was an exact match for the Vectra ones I had bought to put on the Bongo. Since the previous owner was not a DIY mechanic but was the first owners in the UK, my guess is that a reputable garage fitted the Vectra droplink. In which case it was about 3ys and about 15k miles old with half that mileage on low profile 17" tyres. It didn't feel knackered either but as I had the beginnings of clonking I just replaced the lot for fun!

I agree about buying from a local motor factors. Their need to maintain reputation with their prime market (local garages) should help ensure they avoid stocking dodgy cheap Chinese copies. Ebay, in contrast, appears to be a playground for oriental trading networks! Prices aren't much different I found once postage was taken into account. Avoiding the 'Mazda Part' name is where the big saving is to be had

[bigdaddycain]

I'd avoid his garage mike... I think they should be replaced in pairs... Like calipers, shocks,discs,pants...

[mikeonb4c]

I'd avoid his garage mike...

Should be simple enough BDC - he's 200+ miles away in Suffolk

[bigdaddycain]

That's ok then...Keeping above the 8k mark i see mike...

[mikeonb4c]

That's ok then...Keeping above the 8k mark i see mike...

You bet yer sweet bippy....



...that's assumin' of course yer bippy is sweet

[helen&tony]

Hi
Just a quick note...Tony replaced the droplinks around 8-9 months ago, and a local firm replaced the bushes a month or two later. We used Mazda parts at an exorbitant fee. I don't like using cheap stuff, unless, as Trev says , they are to manufacturers spec. I found this with VW parts for my Type 2...I bought parts direct from VW, and the very same parts from a supplier at much less cost a few days later....EXACTLY the same manufacturer, wrapping, etc. and the right part (VW had supplied the smaller part for a later model)....there's a lesson there. Anyway, back to the droplinks....I now have the same clonk back on the driver's side, and you can feel it under your feet as before. I haven't checked it out yet, but my initial reaction is :- "so much for Mazda Originals"...at least this time the parts will come away easily....last time was a Mare...some are, some aren't, and we had the Droplinks From Hell...penetrating oil, blowtorch, grinder, cold chisel and 4 pound hammer, and nut splitter......it looked like a "Henry Moore" when it came off......BOTH SIDES.
Go for the cheapies as Mike said.
Cheers
Helen

[ronhud]

Helen - thanks for the input. Do you drive on the right side of the road where you are? I ask because my problem drop link is on the passenger side and I think road surface is worse nearer the edge of the road - yours is on the driver's side but maybe that is the near side also. If you see what I mean.........

Ron

[cheffy34]

Helen - thanks for the input. Do you drive on the right side of the road where you are? I ask because my problem drop link is on the passenger side and I think road surface is worse nearer the edge of the road - yours is on the driver's side but maybe that is the near side also. If you see what I mean.........

Ron

Exactly what i was thinking, top joint seems more prone both times on mine has been passenger top knuckle worst

Dar

[helen&tony]

Hi
Yes, I drive on the right side, and , as I say, I feel the clonk under my foot....however that means nothing, as you know, the sound or feel, can travel along the bar. The idea , as you say, Ronhud and Cheffy, that the nearside edge (or lack of it over here) may cause problems sounds worth investigating....The roads are appalling anyway, with colossal potholes, however road tax is only38.00 quid, so the difference makes up for the droplinks but 8 months use on a factory part????
Cheers
Helen

[mikeonb4c]

Do the Japanese have exceptionally nicely built roads? It's as though the Bongo was not really designed for the Third World potholed roads to be found in places like Bulgaria and the UK!

I'm sure the 'Pothole Theory' is right. Even with healthy droplinks it's obvious the Bongo doesn't love bad road surfaces, and I steer round bads bits as much as I am able ('Do you mind breathing into this bag sir, only I've been following you and you appear to be weaving all over the place')

[bigdaddycain]

This article touches on the roads in japan mike. Some interesting points on other associated costs too, i can see why bongo's started to come over here relatively early on in their lives...

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2022.html

[mikeonb4c]

This article touches on the roads in japan mike. Some interesting points on other associated costs too, i can see why bongo's started to come over here relatively early on in their lives...

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2022.html

Wow - seems a cost of around £2250 to owners each time a 'Shaken' inspection comes around

[bigdaddycain]

This article touches on the roads in japan mike. Some interesting points on other associated costs too, i can see why bongo's started to come over here relatively early on in their lives...

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2022.html

Wow - seems a cost of around £2250 to owners each time a 'Shaken' inspection comes around

PLUS the cost of the weight based tax, AND the engine size tax... and that's after you have proved you OWN a parking space... I bet not one of the residents so much as grumbles over the cost though...

[ronhud]

Just fitted the replacement - went for Vectra again. 30 minutes from start to finish. Photolinks for the failed drop link, the bottom joint still feels ok but the top joint is very loose. My son thinks it is the poor roads round here, I think that may be part of the reason and perhaps the extra weight of the Freda as opposed to a Vectra may count.

Now the chattering has gone but ......oh dear what is that noise from the back end? Start of the back ones going perhaps!!






Ron