The little drummer man under my Bongo

[Discount Dave]

Right then..
I have the drummer man under the Bongo. Sounds like it is coming from the front, but I am confused about what to do. I have seen various posts but what do I need. Is it the full metal link thing, or just the rubber thing, In my panic I bought 2 little metal / rubber spectacle shape things from ebay but suspect they are for the rear.
What do I need (therapy probably)
Thanks in anticipation.

[westonwarrior]

if what you have looks like the link
http://www.bongobits.com/Main.asp?PageN ... Product=29
then you do have rear drop links.

what you probably need is front drop links and/or anti rollbar bushes and brackets although its diffficult t know for sure.

all the above is available from the club shop or bongo bits and cheaper alterantives like ebay but they are not allways genuine so I chose to shop with the club where I can.

[Discount Dave]

Thanks for the reply Weston
I think its comming from the front. How do I know if it is the full metal thing or just the rubber things. Can you just replace thw rubber bits on the front.?

[Trouble at t'Mill]

Hi DD.

Hmm, 'full metal thing...'

Yes, you can replace just the rubber bush inserts - the metal clamps themselves don't actually wear. However, since they cost little more than the bushes themselves, peeps often replace the lot. Assuming, of course, you are referring to the anti-roll bar bushes.

I don't know what worn A-R bushes sounds like as I've yet to hear them. However, I suspect they have a more 'muffled' knocking sound to worn drop links.

Worn drop links is very common indeed. The sound is a 'clunking' knock which can usually also be felt through the floor. They are usually more noticeable at lower speeds and uneven road surfaces - unlikely to be heard at all when cruising on smooth roads.

[mikeonb4c]

Probably best to do droplinks and antiroll bar bushes (and the metal clamps as they fatigue and break losing you the bushes, as I found out) all in one go as then you know the front will all be ticketyboo

Only fingers crossed bit is that the bolts will all come undone without difficulty but you won't know that until you try. You want a six sided (not star type) socket for good grip so you don't strip the nuts, an extension bar for good leverage, and a good soak in suitable penetrating stuff before you start, and the front droplinks have flat faces (not obvious but they are there) so you can hold the ball joints from turning while you undo the bolts. Good luck

[Discount Dave]

Thanks everyone.
The noise is only at low speed over bumps you don't even see. Speed bumps don't even do it. I think I will have to take it to a garage. I have not done any work on a car for 15 years before I bought the Bongo, since then I have done 2 services, replaced an alternator and fitted glow plugs. This job however scares me a bit. Anyone know of a good garage in the Leeds area.
Thanks again.

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks everyone.
The noise is only at low speed over bumps you don't even see. Speed bumps don't even do it. I think I will have to take it to a garage. I have not done any work on a car for 15 years before I bought the Bongo, since then I have done 2 services, replaced an alternator and fitted glow plugs. This job however scares me a bit. Anyone know of a good garage in the Leeds area.
Thanks again.

droplinks and ARB bushes are actually an incredibly easy job and well worth trying. The only bit that could (easily) cause probs is getting the nuts undone. But if you have the tools I mentioned above you might as well try. If the nuts won't budge, then take it to the garage. But if they do, the jobs a cinch. And believe me, I'm no mechanic - just a DIY generalist of limited ability, 57 and with a bad back!

[Lloydy]

I had this too!

Replaced bushes and drop links (needed doing anyway) but still had this sound... It even did it when i turned the engine off!!!

Well... I found the culprit! It was a bolt under the front passenger seat ish...

It bolted a large metal pipe to the subframe and had a rubber bung between the bolt and the frame. The rubber bung seemed ok at a glance but under certain pressure / wobbles / bumps it would hit a spot where it had worn through and make the sound.

Was easily fixed by making my own bung from some old bits of rubber and a year later its still fine!

A very satisfying and cheap DIY job!!

Regards,

Lloyd

[mister munkey]

Subject: The little drummer man under my Bongo

This job however scares me a bit. Anyone know of a good garage in the Leeds area.
Thanks again.

I'm more than happy to give you an opinion Dave, can meet up one evening. I'm slowly getting all my bits done underneath & might recognise the sounds. I work out of Gildersome if thats any use.

Failing that I suggest you give my local spannerman a call.

Dave Benson @ B.A.S. in Cleckheaton 01274 300033. (Shortly to be included in the Recomended Garage listing)

I trust all my techie bits to him. He really knows his Bongo stuff & the bills always seem less than I expect them to be too!

[BongoMTBer]

I have done my anti-roll bar bushes and as Mike says, easy!

I got a bit creative with mine as everyone says the proper ones last around 5 mins. I packed the old rubber out with a used bicycle inner tube cut into short pieces so they were a good tight fit again.

Free repair and still going strong after a year