Bongo Fury

Hi there, I am fairly new to the Bongo World and I need some help and advice. I have recently traded up to some 17" alloys from the standard 15" steel wheels. Since doing so the Bongo has developed a pronouced knocking noise from the o/s/f wheel. I have searched through the forums here and my initial impression is that it could be a worn drop link. I am pretty certain it is not a worn CV as it does not click like a worn CV does and it happens when the wheels are straight.

Any ideas? Would the fitting of larger wheels somehow hastened the wearing out of the droplinks?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Hi
If you have the correct tyres fitted, the wheels will not be any bigger than the originals - can't see how changing the wheels would affect the drop links. May just be coincidental that the fault occurred at the same time.
Have you fitted a lot wider wheels? - if so, have you checked that they are not hitting anything in the arches and that the wheel is tight?

Hi Francophile,

Thanks for the swift reply, my first thoughts were the same as yours. The tyres are much wider (225/45), I have checked for rubbing but the clearance seems fine, I have also re-torqued the nuts twice just to make sure they were ok.

I'm going to fit the old 15" steel wheels to see if the knocking continues at least then I'll know if it's the new wheels, or just an unlucky coincidence.

Thanks for your help, I'll update when I have changed the wheels

Good idea - at least you'll narrow it down then.
By the way, with those tyres fitted, your new wheels are actually 1 inch smaller than the originals so, when your speedo reads 60, you will only be doing 57.6mph.

is your bongo four wheel drive..... ? apparently the 4x4 bongo is tire size sensative, could you be causing problems with the viscous coupling
hava a look here ... http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... highlight=

Hi Lanner,
I traded up to 18" wheels from 15"s on my bongo. Although i haven't experienced any unusual noises.

I,m assuming that you have a lower profile tyre fitted to your 17" than the 15"s? Tyre sidewalls work in conjunction with the suspension, therefore if you have a shallower sidewall,you have essentially firmer suspension. Maybe having less "give" in the tyres is showing up the worn drop links more than your old soft tyres... The wheel will be having to deal with more shocks you see,which could make the wear in the drop links more evident....

LannerBongo

Having swapped your wheels fitted with tyres that are maybe two sizes too small - you probably need 245/45 on 17s, or 225/50, have you checked you have a high enough load rating? - you need at least 96.

(this is nothing to do with your noises, just ensuring you don't have a potential problem with any insurance claim)

We had some knocking coming from the back, and found after changing our wheels up to 18''s that one of the drop links was duff.
Hope you get your problem sorted soon!

Thankyou everybody, great advice! I am inclined to think that the firmer tyres have led to a failure in the drop link, I will get my friend (mechanic) to check them for me tommorow. Again many thanks to all of you great Bongo owners for your swift and friendly responses.

Glad that's cleared up!... any chances of a pic with the new rims Lanner? (i'm a nosey bugger )

Sure, I'll take some pictures tommorow when the sun is out (I live in hope!) I am very pleased with new wheels, they have really improved the look of my very standard Bongo, tinted windows next then who knows!

My van also developed a clonk from both front links just after it was jacked up to replace perished CV boot. I reckon the act of taking all the weight off the joint may just be enough to cause it to give up altogether.

I once fitted a set of alloys to a car, but the nuts supplied were too long & tightened up on the hub instead of the wheel. Oly when I got up to speed did I hear a rattly noise which was the wheels "floating" around on the studs.

As promised, pictures of Bongo with new wheels.







I'm hopefully having new drop links fitted tommorow.

Hi Alan
I forgot to say,thanks for the comments re: load rating on tyres I checked these before I purchased the wheels, they are rated at 96 so should be ok for my use. Your question did however remind to ring insurers to inform of change to wheels and tyres.

Hi Lanner,
Nice pic mate, looks good! We are twins! (nearly)