New wheel for Bongo - very confused

[Edinbongo]

Hi I have looked through various threads for my problem and am even more confused so would really welcome straightforward advice.

I have a 97 Diesel 2wd Bongo which has had a dodgy front wheel for a while as in it keeps deflating much more quickly than it should. Various garages have not been able to find out why. Also 1 garage said the wheels are split rims and another has said no they are only part split rims and I don't know what they are talking about. One garage broke the valve and no-one can find another valve like it. Another (supposedly Bongo friendly) garage made a modification which involved drilling top make the hole larger! - which hasn't worked and has made the problem worse...
I would like to replace only the wheel that is dodgy (I don't mind them not matching) - is this advisable to fit only 1 new wheel and what is the quickest and cheapest way? Do I need to go tho a Bongo Breaker or can I get a new wheel from an outfit like Quick fit in a straighforward manner!

Please help a confused bongo owner. I am in Edinburgh btw

[Simon Jones]

Split rims typically have a load of Allen bolts around the circumference to hold the two parts together. However, some cheaper rims have dummy bolts to make them look like split rims. If it had a stainless steel valve originally then these can cause corrosion of the alloy resulting in a leak. You can order the correct valves but it sounds like it's too late for that now. Chances of find an identical Japanese aftermarket wheel is pretty slim but if you post a photo here someone may recognise it. Other option is to cut your loses and get a replacement set that doesn't have to cost a fortune if you can re-use your current tyres.

[Northern Bongolow]

ring george here. he breaks bongo,s so you maybe lucky, or you may get a good deal on a replacement set. send him a picture message and see what happens.

http://www.bongospares.co.uk/

[Edinbongo]

Thank you for your advice - will follow it up.

Does that mean tho that I can't use just 1 wheel from a set if it is different from the other 3 wheels?

Also does this mean I have to use Bongo wheels or is it just cheaper/more authentic to do so?

Tyres are all fine I think but guess they will only fit certain wheels too...

Thanks again

[Simon Jones]

What size are your current wheels? There are some 16" wheels that look to be split rims that apparently fit the Bongo on eBay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-Bongo-A ... 43d9bc07ce

Standard wheel size would be 15".

[Edinbongo]

Not exactly sure how to measure them but from rim to rim diameter (with tyre on) is 16 and a half inches.

[wonkanoby]

post the numbers on the tyre


215/65R15 the 15 tells us that tyre fits a 15 inch rim as an example


http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =42&t=9285

tells you how to post pictures

[Edinbongo]

AHA....R205/65/R15C. So that is 15inch -yes?

[wonkanoby]

yes

[Edinbongo]

[/URL]

Here is the wheel (I hope)
Tried George at Bongo Breakers? and he had a good look but came up with nothing. Garage very unhelpful. Where next???

Thanks again for any suggestions - I getting quite downhearted about this

[briwy]

Try Mike at Wheelquick in Wigan. He has allsorts of Bongo wheels.

[novocaine]

they are aftermarket wheels.
if you look on the back of them there maybe a manufacturer stamped in to the alloy (along with a size), then google that and see what you can find.

[Edinbongo]

thanks will follow up these suggestions. Do you have to take wheel off to see number?

[Bob]

If its on the back I would guess yes.

Doubtless it will need a good clean before you can see it, too.

[Edinbongo]

Ok update - Wigan Wheels guy says he might have one! but won't know till he goes to yard on Monday. Failing that he has 4 steels that would fit. Question - how do steels differ; are they better worse etc. I Just need wheels so am not fussy but would like to know....