Bone Shaker.

Jim the Box · Post by **Jim the Box** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 11:39 pm

Just back from my 3rd trip since buying the bongo, I have noticed whilst driving it since purchase, that it really bangs over manhole covers and small bumps, however I traveled in the rear seats for the first time and found the journey to be a real boneshaker the bongo really bounces and bangs its way along roads which I travel regularly in my Citroen Picasso with the journey being as smooth as you like.
I have checked the rear tyre pressure 35psi (205x65x15 all round on 2.5V6) , height from ground to rear wheel arch is 27.75 inches.
Vehicle is under warranty, but don't know if springs are standard or have been lowered, could be faulty shocks, I don't know, I am hoping to go to red squirrel scottish meet on 6th of October where I may be able to compare vans and get advice but wondered beforehand if there was anybody who can confirm the normal spring height (ground to rear wheel arch). Next issue would be if the springs have been lowered does anybody have similar ride issues because of the lowered suspension.
If not is it my shocks, or my springs. Any other ideas of cause would be appreciated as I am in Scotland and vehicle was purchased from the midlands and don't want to travel down and waste my own or the sellers time if I can resolve it easily.

wonkanoby · Post by **wonkanoby** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 4:38 am

add drop links worn ,anti rool bar bushes same,or the u shaped bracket hols them busted o your list

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:28 am

I have to say that if there is one thing about my Bongo that can irritate me, its the crude suspension performance over bad surfaces. On a decent surface its fine, but......I consider that this one deficiency is something I can tolerate when I consider all the other joy the Bongo gives me. And since most of the open road is smooth, and that is where a Bongo should be......

bongodonkey · Post by **bongodonkey** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:30 am

Get in touch with Bill at Kilcaldy he will sort you out.

I run 225/45/R18 and my tp is normally 44psi.

As stated a bit of a rumble on bad roads, but smooth as silk on a good surface. I have an LPG tank fitted and don't want to go down the lowered route. Also from your measurements I don't think you are lowered.

teenmal · Post by **teenmal** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 10:02 am

Hi Jim,

We must remember that these are Old vehicles (VANS),I have heard it said that travelling in them is like riding on the back of a Camel up Ben Nevis.

Cheers.

PS depending on what you are carrying in the rear,the ride height is a tad low.

Cheers.

Velocette · Post by **Velocette** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 5:37 pm

It is a live back axle, it is never going to compare with independent suspension. has it got low profile tyres? I guess they would also give a harder ride.

rapiddescent · Post by **rapiddescent** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 6:01 pm

Most likely worn droplinks. They don't last long on bongo's and are an mot failure...

sleepwalker · Post by **sleepwalker** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 6:44 pm

Hi we had similar experience in our first year of ownership and just assumed that was 'how it was' in a Bongo. Then when a new set of tyres were acquired and fitted at Wheelquick I was informed the wheels hadn't been mounted correctly when the previous set of tires were fitted ( plus new tires were properly load rated etc) . All quite scary really but turned out well in the end. The ride was then 100% smoother to the point where we just looked at each other and laughed for a large part of the journey home. Just thought I'd share our experience with you along with the good advice already received.

Jim the Box · Post by **Jim the Box** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:26 pm

Thanks for all the posts, have been informed by the seller the suspension has been lowered in Japan, regarding the drop-links, bushes etc van came from the dealer with a years mot, 7 weeks ago. I do have an lpg tank on the rear and a tow-bar which probably does not help matters. My wheels are 15" steels and my tyres are 205X65X15" at 35psi. The suspension is rock solid I went over the forth road bridge which has expansion strips which I could pass over at 70mph in my Picasso with only tyre noise as it smoothly passed over each strip, however in the bongo I had to slow down to 35mph even the lorries were passing me and it was still a rough ride. I may try putting 205x70x15 on the back to see if it makes any difference speedo is out anyway so may improve accuracy and may have to bite the bullet and get the suspension raised anyone any idea what new springs and fitting would normally cost? There's a Bongo meet on 6th of October at Red Squirrel may be my best bet of getting more experienced bongo owners to have a look. If anybody in East lothian area fancies giving an opinion they are most welcome to come and have a look it may be I am just too fussy.
Jim

MountainGoat · Post by **MountainGoat** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:39 pm

Why not go for a second hand pair of rear springs. Someone could collect them from Ady's (Northern Bongolow's) tame breaker in Yourshire and Muz could bring them up to Red Squirrel.

Tony

ianscobra · Post by **ianscobra** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:10 pm

This a reply that I received from Air Lift uk regarding the saggy rearend on my V6 Aero. The standard bags that come in the Bongo kits are 87mm wide and 222mm tall, with an a couple of spacers that make up a further 20mm.

Normally for lowered cars we'd look at the next bag size down which is 178mm tall, so with the spacers that makes it up to 198mm overall, or we can provide different spacers/bags to suit. I'm pretty sure we have these bags in stock and the price would be the same, £99.99.

It'd be best if you can measure your coil springs and we can go from there. I'd just need to know the height of them with the wheels on the ground at unladen height.

I'm not sure will cure the boneshaking

Jim the Box · Post by **Jim the Box** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:17 pm

MountainGoat wrote:Why not go for a second hand pair of rear springs. Someone could collect them from Ady's (Northern Bongolow's) tame breaker in Yourshire and Muz could bring them up to Red Squirrel.

Tony

Sounds like a plan Tony, I wish I knew it was definitely a spring problem, however a set of 2nd hand springs won't cost too much so I may go with the idea, whats the best way to request someone to collect them from the breakers?

Thanks Jim

MountainGoat · Post by **MountainGoat** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 10:02 pm

Jim give Ady's breaker George a ring on 07836598528. he's in Yorkshire. If he has got the springs that you need put out a request for a relay in the Wanted/Free stuff Section.

Tony

Jim the Box · Post by **Jim the Box** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 8:01 am

ianscobra wrote:This a reply that I received from Air Lift uk regarding the saggy rearend on my V6 Aero. The standard bags that come in the Bongo kits are 87mm wide and 222mm tall, with an a couple of spacers that make up a further 20mm.

Normally for lowered cars we'd look at the next bag size down which is 178mm tall, so with the spacers that makes it up to 198mm overall, or we can provide different spacers/bags to suit. I'm pretty sure we have these bags in stock and the price would be the same, £99.99.

It'd be best if you can measure your coil springs and we can go from there. I'd just need to know the height of them with the wheels on the ground at unladen height.

I'm not sure will cure the boneshaking

If the springs are to be replaced might be a good idea to fit these as well mmm....

Jim

Jim the Box · Post by **Jim the Box** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 8:13 am

MountainGoat wrote:Jim give Ady's breaker George a ring on 07836598528. he's in Yorkshire. If he has got the springs that you need put out a request for a relay in the Wanted/Free stuff Section.

Tony

Tony,
is it normal to lower the rear springs only or will it have been lowered at the front as well, the clearance looks constant over all 4 arches. Have opened a real can of worms for myself, "front springs, rear springs, air assistors", need to do something as I did add a thread in a previous post about the van scraping over speed bumps, I have to avoid certain streets in my home town, so Ady's it is, just need to decide if it's front springs as well as rear.

Many thanks Jim.,

Bone Shaker.

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