SHOCK HORROR !!

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:31 pm

Just had Bongo put through the MOT. Passed no worries but may need new shocks on the front by next year. Anyone tell me what I want and where from. I will do the rears (same Question) whilst I'm at it.
Thanks

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:27 pm

Spotted them at Bongobits @ £105 each genuine Mazda. Can I do better??

Lovejoy · Post by **Lovejoy** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 6:55 pm

I just replaced my rears at the weekend.

Got procomp ones from http://www.explorerprocomp.co.uk, which are designed for 4x4 vehicles I think.

The ES3000 are the ones I was recommended at the time but they were out of stock of those so sent me the es9000's instead. These are half inch longer than the originals but went on a treat and work just fine.

The part number is 320500 which you will need to quote as the Bongo is not in their book and the guy phoned me to ask if I had a part number. Once I gave him that number he knew exactly what to send. They are very friendly.

I purchased 2 x rear shocks, 2 x rubber boots (which come in various colours) and paid for shipping.

Total cost: £85 all inclusive.

Cheapest original Mazda items I found were around £70 each plus postage

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:07 pm

Lovely. Thanks a lot for that. Will get them ordered.
Now ! anyone know where I can get front ones.??

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:27 pm

How do you know what the part No is ??
Front strut Part No please ??
Thanks

Lovejoy · Post by **Lovejoy** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:57 pm

haydn callow wrote:How do you know what the part No is ??
Front strut Part No please ??
Thanks

I was given it by someone else on this forum, but to my eternal shame I have forgotten who, which is a shame because he saved me a lot of money by pointing me in the right direction.
Now I can't locate the original thread.

I haven't had to do my front shocks yet, but the chap who helped me fit the rears took a look round the underneath of the van while we had it up on axle stands and said (and I quote):

"When it comes time to do the fronts, don't come to me, they look complicated"
(Except he swore a bit and said "Mun" a few times 'cause he's a geordie.

He was half in jest 'cause he's a mate and I know he would help me tackle anything I was unsure about. But they do look a bit complicated from underneath. Or more complicated than the rears anyway.

Give the guys at procomp a ring and see if they do anything which may fit a Bongo front end. There are some pics on bongobits and if you take some measurements they might find something to match...

What they said to me was that if I went to fit my es9000's and they didn't fit they would take them back no questions asked - so they really are very helpful and worth talking to.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:03 pm

O.K. thanks for all the help.

Lovejoy · Post by **Lovejoy** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:05 pm

Aha, found my original thread at last and it was Veg-Ian who pointed me in the right direction. A belated thanks to Ian.

His post to me read:

Right then. Website is:

http://www.explorerprocomp.co.uk/

You need 2 x ES3000 shocks part# 320500 and 2 x boots. Black ones part# is 12000. However, you can choose from a variety of colours. Not that it matters as they can't be seen but hey go pink and show your feminine side

I don't have a feminine side so went for plain boring grey boots. But the shocks are nice and shiny white (not that you get to see them when they are on unless you are following the van driving a Sinclair C5

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:31 pm

Great info lovejoy, (and veg ian) do the shocks make any difference to the ride at all? Less rebound i would imagine if the old shocks were shot, but are they as good as you expected?

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:44 am

BDC - I was first introduced to the Explorer shocks a few years back when looking for replacements for my Townace. I find them good value and perform well. When I came to order them for the Bongo I first compared sizes with specs on the US Rancho site so as to get a part number then did a cross check. Somewhere along the line I goofed and was sent the wrong spec. I now wish I hadn't bothered doing the research and gone straight to Procomp because when we discussed on the phone he deduced the correct spec and all was well in the end. I think what I'm trying to say in a long-winded fashion is that like Lovejoy says, the company are very helpful and the shocks perform well. Also they are located not far from you so you could call in for a chat if so inclined.

Lovejoy - glad they fitted in the end. Why did you leave it so long to get them fitted?

Haydn - not sure what to do about front shocks yet. With them being integral with the spring and leg it's unlikely there will be something of a general fit like the rears. £105 each sounds a lot but if it's any consolation Toyota ask that kind of money for modulated shocks for a Townace. The challenge is there for someone to find them cheaper though. Any takers?

Lovejoy · Post by **Lovejoy** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:55 am

bigdaddycain wrote:Great info lovejoy, (and veg ian) do the shocks make any difference to the ride at all? Less rebound i would imagine if the old shocks were shot, but are they as good as you expected?

Sad to say I have noticed no difference. Mind you, I have not driven it much since Sunday when they were done (only a quick test drive then home from my mates house) as I have been at work. Got a trip up to Barnstaple on Thursday so will see if I notice any difference in handling on the coast road.

BUT, my old shocks were not shot, but just had worn rubber bushes (slightly perished). The actual shock part was still working fine.
But I couldn't find replacement bushes so had to buy new shocks.

That's why I was extra pleased to be shown where I could get them cheap.

Lovejoy · Post by **Lovejoy** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:01 am

Veg_Ian wrote:Lovejoy - glad they fitted in the end. Why did you leave it so long to get them fitted?

Good question Ian, those shocks sat in my hallway for weeks just begging me to fit them.
But I was ill for 2 weeks with a virus and then took another week or more to get back to even thinking about things like crawling under vehicles.

Then I wasn't 100% confident I could fit them myself, as over the years my toolbox has broken, been 'borrowed' or lost in various house moves, and I no longer have axle stands or a trolley jack.

So it was a question of waiting for my mate Jon (who has all the kit) to have a day which coincided with a day I was free to do it. But we had all those sunny days for a few weeks, and we went off to the motorhome show in Shepton Mallet etc etc - you know how it is - always something better to do than crawl under a Bongo.

But finally on Sunday it was one of those drizzly days which is perfect for that kind of job. In the end it only took an hour

There, I feel better for having admitted my guilt

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:03 am

But we had all those sunny days for a few weeks, and we went off to the motorhome show in Shepton Mallet etc etc - you know how it is - always something better to do than crawl under a Bongo.

Yeah I know the feeling only too well. Life get's in the way all too often .......

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:03 am

Have a look at the Kayaba catalogue
http://www.kayaba.co.uk/distributor/index.html

The reference for the Bongo doesn't have the correct dates but the rear OE shocks match the part numbers in Lushprojects parts catalogue we use on here.

Might be worth asking a motor factor to check it out

Timnz · Post by **Timnz** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:05 pm

I am just getting my front shocks done now, unfortunately there are no direct replacements available, but the local shock shop is distmantling the old shocks and putting in bilstein internals, with adjustable valving. They are setting up the suspension again, and resetting the ride height approx 40mm lower, but with same stiffness of springs, and adjusting the damping to compensate.
I'll let you know how it turns out. Also got the sway bar link bushes all replaced with nolethane items, making it a fair bit stiffer..