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Wind wobble
Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:31 pm
by mancunian
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
Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:33 pm
by Peg leg Pete
Bongo does move about in strong winds, so do most vans and wagons

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:55 pm
by mikeonb4c
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

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:58 pm
by Dabs
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
Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 7:00 pm
by Peg leg Pete
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

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 7:07 pm
by Gemtps
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.
Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:29 pm
by mikeonb4c
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.

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:08 pm
by NicknLiz
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?
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:11 pm
by Gemtps
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

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:14 pm
by NicknLiz
I'm SOOOOOO glad!
I was cacking myself quite nicely... Pulled over twice over the 200 odd miles "just to check"

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:32 pm
by mikeonb4c
It was a particularly nasty day - hope we dont get too many like that
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:49 pm
by BPH80
cant say theres more wobble than me last car a volvo 940
but the bongos MPG is better

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:26 pm
by trevd01
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.
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:53 pm
by Peg leg Pete
Well even with a new van a few years ago the wind on the A1 heading north moved me about.
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:10 pm
by trevd01
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.