juddering aft
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 11:00 am
My aft has started to judder on the way up and is reluctant to lock in the up position on the passenger side ,any ideas as to what causes this
White lithium grease, as used on door locks, etc., is better than vaseline - doesn't collect dirt in the same way, but use sparingly. Clean rails and sliders with dilute washing up liquid on a rag, rinse off, dry, then grease very lightly with a wipe over cloth. Don't use spray-on lithium grease anywhere near the tent fabric.wonkanoby wrote:try cleaning the rails it slides on
and a light grease may be vaseline ?
Oh yes, of course - I think it's the lift arms which make most of the noise isn't it? Forgot them but, anyway, the whole lot needs attention once or twice a year.mikeonb4c wrote:...and a very light wipover with suitable lubricant on the pneumatic lift assistor struts (needs repeating regularly I find). Can't remember what I've used on them (various things) but maybe someone could recommend what's best. Also, if its a bit tired (and don't forget these cold temps will make the rooftent fabric more resistant to being pulled out flat so that the beeper switches off) I recommend standing inside the Bongo and assisting the roof while you raise it, using the Mk.1 human arm/hand combination
Yes I think it's (a bit of) jerkiness in the assistor struts that set up a kind of side to side resonance in the flexible lifting roof, so the whole thing starts twisting and grunting (bit like me these daysRon Miel wrote:Oh yes, of course - I think it's the lift arms which make most of the noise isn't it? Forgot them but, anyway, the whole lot needs attention once or twice a year.mikeonb4c wrote:...and a very light wipover with suitable lubricant on the pneumatic lift assistor struts (needs repeating regularly I find). Can't remember what I've used on them (various things) but maybe someone could recommend what's best. Also, if its a bit tired (and don't forget these cold temps will make the rooftent fabric more resistant to being pulled out flat so that the beeper switches off) I recommend standing inside the Bongo and assisting the roof while you raise it, using the Mk.1 human arm/hand combination
Just remembered why I forgot - to use my best Irish logic. You're right, AFT gas struts do self clean - in fact, of course, they're supposed to self lubricate as well, presumably with the same lubicant used on their internal pistons. Manufacturers, and "re-gassers" such as SGS, actually recommend against additional external lubrication of gas strut arms, as using the "wrong" lubricant can damage main seals and wreck the struts. Forgot that's why I forgotmikeonb4c wrote:Yes I think it's (a bit of) jerkiness in the assistor struts that set up a kind of side to side resonance in the flexible lifting roof, so the whole thing starts twisting and grunting (bit like me these daysRon Miel wrote:Oh yes, of course - I think it's the lift arms which make most of the noise isn't it? Forgot them but, anyway, the whole lot needs attention once or twice a year.mikeonb4c wrote:...and a very light wipover with suitable lubricant on the pneumatic lift assistor struts (needs repeating regularly I find). Can't remember what I've used on them (various things) but maybe someone could recommend what's best. Also, if its a bit tired (and don't forget these cold temps will make the rooftent fabric more resistant to being pulled out flat so that the beeper switches off) I recommend standing inside the Bongo and assisting the roof while you raise it, using the Mk.1 human arm/hand combination). You can hear this kind of squeakiness in the tailgate struts on the Bongo (and other cars) when they've got a bit 'dry'. The annoying thing is that since by their nature they wipe themselves clean each time they are used, it's hard to avoid having to give them a wipeover with suitable lubricant at regular intervals (or else not fuss about the creaking and groaning noises).
Yes I agree its a bit 50/50 whether to lubricate them or not. It would be good to know what the right lubricant is, as the resonance problem must - I reckon - put a strain on the ageing lifting motor mounts / mechanism so it would be good to banish it.Ron Miel wrote:Just remembered why I forgot - to use my best Irish logic. You're right, AFT gas struts do self clean - in fact, of course, they're supposed to self lubricate as well, presumably with the same lubicant used on their internal pistons. Manufacturers, and "re-gassers" such as SGS, actually recommend against additional external lubrication of gas strut arms, as using the "wrong" lubricant can damage main seals and wreck the struts. Forgot that's why I forgotBetter just put up with creaks and groans - although personally I use glucasomine
I'll give SGS a call in the New Year, and ask them. Come to think of it, I've got a spare pair of tailgate struts I think I'll send them to uprate. Do you find yours are a bit weak, once the temperature drops in winter? Mine are now dropping about 30-40 degrees under the weight of the Terzo ladder but are fine at higher temperatures, so perhaps a winter/summer swap is the answer.mikeonb4c wrote:Yes I agree its a bit 50/50 whether to lubricate them or not. It would be good to know what the right lubricant is, as the resonance problem must - I reckon - put a strain on the ageing lifting motor mounts / mechanism so it would be good to banish it.Ron Miel wrote:Just remembered why I forgot - to use my best Irish logic. You're right, AFT gas struts do self clean - in fact, of course, they're supposed to self lubricate as well, presumably with the same lubicant used on their internal pistons. Manufacturers, and "re-gassers" such as SGS, actually recommend against additional external lubrication of gas strut arms, as using the "wrong" lubricant can damage main seals and wreck the struts. Forgot that's why I forgotBetter just put up with creaks and groans - although personally I use glucasomine
My tailgate struts are fine with nothing mounted on the tailgate. With my bike rack on (which may be lighter than the Terzo ladder) it stays up.....just. Quite possible that it woudn't stay up in this weather. Its actually an important point with Bongos as most of us expect to be able to safely wander about under the raised tailgate without hitting our heads. I find mine invaluable as an umbrella when sitting 'outside' on the tailgate step, enjoyed a ciggie and a cuppa, or brewing up etc..Ron Miel wrote:I'll give SGS a call in the New Year, and ask them. Come to think of it, I've got a spare pair of tailgate struts I think I'll send them to uprate. Do you find yours are a bit weak, once the temperature drops in winter? Mine are now dropping about 30-40 degrees under the weight of the Terzo ladder but are fine at higher temperatures, so perhaps a winter/summer swap is the answer.mikeonb4c wrote:Yes I agree its a bit 50/50 whether to lubricate them or not. It would be good to know what the right lubricant is, as the resonance problem must - I reckon - put a strain on the ageing lifting motor mounts / mechanism so it would be good to banish it.Ron Miel wrote:Just remembered why I forgot - to use my best Irish logic. You're right, AFT gas struts do self clean - in fact, of course, they're supposed to self lubricate as well, presumably with the same lubicant used on their internal pistons. Manufacturers, and "re-gassers" such as SGS, actually recommend against additional external lubrication of gas strut arms, as using the "wrong" lubricant can damage main seals and wreck the struts. Forgot that's why I forgotBetter just put up with creaks and groans - although personally I use glucasomine
good tip IMHOfrancophile1947 wrote:I just use car polish on the struts, because I was wary of any grease damaging seals - seems to work
Apologies Ron - I was back to thinking about the juddering AFTmikeonb4c wrote:good tip IMHOfrancophile1947 wrote:I just use car polish on the struts, because I was wary of any grease damaging seals - seems to work