Bongo Fury

Well it must have been a couple of days since we had a thread on the subject so ......

I know there have been zillions of posts on the subject of tyre sizes but the search has thrown up many conflicting opinions so this question is targeting those of you with the same size tyre on 15" rims.

I'm currently running with Mazda specified, standard tyres sizes on a 4WD. I'm noticing some outer tyre scrub on the front tyres. This was a common and accepted occurence on my old Townace. I used to swap the tyres between front and rear to even tyre wear and get over 20k miles out of a set of tyres as a result. Obviously I can't currently do this with the Bongo with having 195s on the front and 215s on the rear. So two questions:

1. Is it normal to get a bit of tyre wear on the outer edge of the front tyres on a 4WD Bongo?
2. Are there any disadvantages to running with 215/65/R15s all round?

Ian

How many miles have you done to show the edge wear on the front?

We (4wd auto) have 215s all round on 15 inch alloys and after about 12k miles the Yokohamas look pretty much like new. I haven measured the tread depth, but they don't look worn. I would estimate 30k+ ought to be possible on these tyres.

Three things:

• 1. I have read all the stuff abut 'pre-loading' the viscous coupler, and understand it. But I still believe the tyre sizes are as close as Mazda could specify to be the same rolling diameter, while maintaining narrower tyres on the front to promote some understeer.
  2. I have had loads of 4wd cars. I have found that with my driving style 45k or more miles is entirely possible on quality tyres. My 180bhp Audi A4 Quattro Auto was still (legally) on its original tyres when I sold it with 50k miles. Similar experience with a Subaru Legacy and a (non turbo) Impreza. FWD or RWD cars of similar power have seen out front or rears, respectively in 20k -30k miles.
  3. Our Bongo came from Wellhouse where it is one of 300 they have sold - all with same size tyes all round.

Those are my thoughts on the subject.

I think the differential tyre size is not likely to be the main cause of your tyre wear. Its either a front suspension/ steering alignment wear problem, or it could be something like a regular manouever you do every day, like having to do some particularly tight parking at low speeds, scrubbing the tyres.

Thanks for the insight Trev.

I threw in the bit about Townaces as this was a known "feature" but not sure if it also applied to the Bongo. The 195s on the front were thrown on prior to me buying the van. They are cheapies but have plenty of tread left (apart from the outer edge) and I've done about 15k miles with them. I prefer the idea of having the same tyre size all round for maintenance reasons so was thinking of replacing them with the same spec as the rears and getting the tracking checked at the same time. I wanted to be sure that 215s on the front are ok as my tyre fitters get a bit concerned when asked to replace tyres with a different size

I've got 225 / 55 / 17's all round on my 4x4, they're Hankooks and were fitted by importer on arrival in uk. Since I have had my bongo I've done about 13,000 miles and also have notice extra wear on outer edges at the front particularly on the nearside tyre and thats despite have tracking etc done several months ago. So perhaps it is the price I pay for this size tyre?

If they are wearing just on one edge that is tracking so far as I'm concerned.

For those that still have it after having had the tracking done have to ask "was it done correctly?" having said that if the tyres are already worn, putting the tracking right won't unwear them, so the wear won't get any better.

The proof of the pudding is whether the next set wear the same or not.

I haven't experienced any tyre wear issues with the bongo yet.... not had it long enough

but I do live near Milton Keynes, the city of roundabouts...... it is well known in these parts that the front nearside tyre wears out, particularly the outside edge, followed by the rear nearside outside and front offside.... I think you can leave the offside rear for ever.....

I can't ever remember getting more than 20000 out of a set of fronts,

my mate, on the other hand, lives in Swanwick, Derbyshire and works in Luton... and has just changed his rears, at 96000 miles....


so it may have a bit to do with the roads you use

John

Pah I get 20 mins out of a set of 255's yes min's not miles Though the Bongo seems a lot better.

If the edges are feathered (knobble tops are tapered) its a sure sign of tranmission windup.

Captainsideways, Transmission Windup!!!!!!!!!?????????
waaasuuup?

As we are talking tires, how safe/good/advantages is the standard Bongo wheel barrow spare wheel and should I replace it with a sandard wheel.

I ask this before we get tired of this subject and we get puns/jokes, etc posted.

lizard wrote:As we are talking tires, how safe/good/advantages is the standard Bongo wheel barrow spare wheel and should I replace it with a sandard wheel.

I ask this before we get tired of this subject and we get puns/jokes, etc posted.

It's cr*p - replace it now. It's probably as old as the car and never been used - mine failed the first time I needed it.

Yep, get rid, you can guarantee you'll get a puncture after the tyre shops have closed & you're on your way across the continent, as they are only supposed to travel 80km at 80 km/h, that isn't a lot of help. As Franco said, it'll be as old as the vehicle too. There's plenty of room for a full size spare, so get it changed & hopefully you'll never need it

Please remember that no matter what, the bongo is damn near 2 tons, so your gonna have difficulty getting 50k miles form a set of tyres no matter how you drive. Factor in the amount of speed bumps we have to traverse, the not so perfect roads,etc...etc...

Its possible to "knock the tracking" out by hitting a pool of standing water hard enough, so its quite feasible to assume that their is a good chance that our tracking isn't always perfect.

Personally Ian, i'd put 215's on the front,up the pressures to 35p.s.i.,and enjoy the re-newed crispness of your steering.

I await stick from the purists.... .....