Bongo Fury

Mattsonics wrote:Aren't they £38 each?

Bolt size is definitely M12 ( x1.5mm (thread spacing) )


Matt

Crikey - hadn't realised that. Well I would definitely be looking for cheap ones as I don't have £38 x 2 to shell out most times even if they do last 10 years.

I suppose it depends on what sort of travelling you are doing, personally I often tow trailers, horseboxes & caravans and am frequently going up bumpy lanes that are more pot holes than anything else. With this in mind it does'nt actually seem that much for peace of mind. I have just ordered a set and will let you know how it turns out.

I recieved a sample droplink today from AVA courtesy of Ian for evaluation, it is apparantly what they were selling as heavy duty ones (don't think they are now), basically the bar is beefed up & painted, but other than that, just as cheap & nasty as the Yaco ones that I've had before IMO, the rubber boot is still being overstretched at full extent & one end was slack enough on the joint that the rubber boot could return it halfway back to the middle, while the other end was very stiff, so, yet again very variable quality control.
Ian said these were also made by Yaco, although there is no name on them, so if they are I'd suspect this is what is being sold as heavy duty bongo front drolinks by sellers such as "jake the must" on ebay.
Consequently Ian will not be stocking these, just thought I'd pass the comparisons on. Not trying to set myself up as an expert or anything though Just trying to help people out by letting them know what's hot & what's not, after all isn't that what it's all about?

Comparison with used duff lighter duty Yaco version


Full stretch


At rest

The Great Pretender wrote:It looks like the joint is larger Kirsty, shame about the boot.

Not sure about the joint being bigger, it's deeper on the casing but smaller diameter, I think it's just more "enclosed" by the casing?

thepickles wrote:
Will these Vectra ones fit , how do you know which Vectra ones to use???

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-VECTRA-B ... 3a546f3c41

I ordered some of these for a comparison, I thought for £11 a pair inc delivery, worth a look. Arrived today, didn't look like the ebay pic so I think you'd probably just get what they've got at the time. The ones that turned up have actually got a clear boot, so you can see the joint It's a stiffer composition that the rubber ones, so I don't know how long they'll last with constant flexing, BUT, there didn't seem to be straining on the boot at full stretch, seems like a nice chunky joint, they're painted black which is scraping off already, so I reckon they may corrode quite quickly, depending on the composition of the metal, 12mm coarse thread the same as most of the others & it's got the allen key fitting in the end of the thread that only the Blueprint has had up to now.








Probably a better buy at half the price of t'others if you want to go cheap & cheerful, be intersting to see how long it does last, so I'll be putting one on mine opposite one of the cheap Yaco ones (that I had to fit for mot) as a comparison, they're both the same size so should be ok.
I have a sample of a genuine Mazda one on it's way from Andy at AVA (thanks Andy ) to have a look at too.
Never thought I'd become a droplink anorak

thepickles wrote:Is there any compatible ones for the back?????

Ford Galaxy, check out the compatible parts list - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=14881

Good effort - I wait with baited breath!

The Vectra one I fitted was consistent in terms of the pressure required to move the joint each end - and seemed very snug - in a good way.

No fitting problems - but a lot of torque required on nuts to get original Mazda link off!

Moved onto to another issue - see next thread

Matt

Kirsty

Well done

cheers
Steve

Mattsonics wrote:Good effort - I wait with baited breath!

The Vectra one I fitted was consistent in terms of the pressure required to move the joint each end - and seemed very snug - in a good way.

No fitting problems - but a lot of torque required on nuts to get original Mazda link off!

Moved onto to another issue - see next thread

Matt

Excellent result - keep us posted if poss. on how well they last

Anyone know where I could buy Ford Galaxy rear drop links,
I have had a quick scan of the web and could not find any

Just want to compare prices

cheers
Steve

Just fitted the drop links, that I got earlier in the thread.

I had got them in for spares....but with the potholes and crap roads since before the winter further demolished the road surface,the I had a slight knock on the offside ...... so I set to task..... all in all the NGK factory ones were slightly worn on the nearside drop link but not loose and the offside had similar wear at the top joint and the bottom joint was fubar.....

Now fitting the new ones was simple and these ones have a nyloc nut instead of a nut with a flange but that is not much of an issue. I was disappointed with the 15mm shoulder at the rear of the thread but it engaged fine.
The build quality is very good but as for longevity.....only time will tell

I've just purchased 2 geniune Vauxhall Vectra links, part no. 90496116. They match up well, both joints are firm, and plenty of rubber at full stretch.
Got them -mates rates, just under £30- Normally £17.20 + VAT each.
Just got to see if I can get the old ones off now- I had a go yesterday just to see if I could loosen the nuts. After nearly an hour on the nearside I was running out of time- and strength!! There must be an easy way??

Matt

paramatt wrote:I've just purchased 2 geniune Vauxhall Vectra links, part no. 90496116. They match up well, both joints are firm, and plenty of rubber at full stretch.
Got them -mates rates, just under £30- Normally £17.20 + VAT each.
Just got to see if I can get the old ones off now- I had a go yesterday just to see if I could loosen the nuts. After nearly an hour on the nearside I was running out of time- and strength!! There must be an easy way??

Matt

Any chance of pics, especially at full stretch?
Get the nuts soaked in plusgas if you can (Trago do it) or any decent penetrating oil, & as big a bar as you can on it, worked for me. although I did have it up on the tyre fitters hydraulic ramp so it was a bit easier.

paramatt wrote: Just got to see if I can get the old ones off now- I had a go yesterday just to see if I could loosen the nuts. After nearly an hour on the nearside I was running out of time- and strength!! There must be an easy way?? Matt

I used a 6 sided deep socket and a long bar..... but I had soaked the nuts (top and bottom) for 3 days....spraying each day
they came apart no problem....once you have "cracked" the joint your away......

Interestingly.......... the new drop links have on the label........ P S10H-34-150 (Stabiliser Link Rod) Japanese Replacement Parts Superior Quality....... and the 34-150 is the Mazda part number on lushprojects.....

I've got a new Mazda original NGK (ERO 697M0 I think, can only just make out the numbers on the boot ) droplink sample sat in front of me, part no S10H-34-150 (courtesy of Andy at AVA )







As per the Blueprint one, top notch, well engineered, fine pitch thread, allen key fitting in the end of the thread, no strain on the nice chunky boot at full stretch, shouldered nut at the base, but apparantly it's standard to not supply the new securing shouldered nut with these, price

Retail price £49.50 + VAT
Realistic price £49.95 including VAT