Bongo Fury

Ruby is coming up to 95k miles, and I was wondering whether her shockers might be past their sell-by? How long can you expect them to last on a two-ton brick?

She's unconverted, no middle seats, and tends to bounce around, especially at the back, so could it just be that she's a bit of a lightweight..?


Derek

Hi Derek
Yes...you need them doing...depending on the original quality, it used to be said that dampers last about 60,000 miles...They tend to last a tad longer these days, but you'll really notice the difference wen you swap them
Cheers
Helen

helen&tony wrote:Hi Derek
Yes...you need them doing...depending on the original quality, it used to be said that dampers last about 60,000 miles...They tend to last a tad longer these days, but you'll really notice the difference wen you swap them
Cheers
Helen

Hi
I changed my old shocks nothing wrong with them just upgraded them to gas shocks.
I now get a much smoother ride. Hope that helps.

I had mine replaced earlier this year. Mine has similar mileage. It made a huge difference to the handling. It's not much more controlled around corners, doesn't sway as much and high speed bumps result in much less bounce. Well worth doing from a safety perspective and not too expensive. I got shock from AVA I think. They had an offer of supplying a free filter kit with the shocks, which nicely helped to offset the cost. I copped out and got a garage to fit since I didn't have the time or tools.

exdiscodave wrote:

helen&tony wrote:Hi Derek
Yes...you need them doing...depending on the original quality, it used to be said that dampers last about 60,000 miles...They tend to last a tad longer these days, but you'll really notice the difference wen you swap them
Cheers
Helen

Hi
I changed my old shocks nothing wrong with them just upgraded them to gas shocks.
I now get a much smoother ride. Hope that helps.

exdiscodave / dom_e / helen&tony

Are we talking about front shocks, rear shocks, or both? I had to have new front shocks a few years back (one of them had started leaking) and can't say I noticed a huge difference. But anything that made the back less inclined to tramp and rattle over potholes would be welcome.

Hi
Mike
I replaced the front and rear dampers, wishbones, front top mounts, front and back droplinks , front and rear A/R bushes and brackets...plus added air assist on the rear...it rides like a new car. All done a year or so ago, but I don't use the Bongo much, and keep it for leisure , plus the monthly shop!
Cheers
Helen

helen&tony wrote:Hi
Mike
I replaced the front and rear dampers, wishbones, front top mounts, front and back droplinks , front and rear A/R bushes and brackets...plus added air assist on the rear...it rides like a new car. All done a year or so ago, but I don't use the Bongo much, and keep it for leisure , plus the monthly shop!
Cheers
Helen

Thanks Helen and yes I'm not surprised to hear that. Only problem is I can recall just renewing droplinks and ARB bushes making a dramatic improvement when changed so I wonder which bit of the job you did made the essential difference. Certainly putting new front shockers on mine didn't do anything earth shattering which is why I wonder if new rear shocks will do. Gas shockers sound interesting though? Might google a bit on that to see what people out there are saying.

Hi Mike
I asked around about gas shocks, but I heard from a certain Bongo oracle that the standard Mazda ones usually proved the best.
Regarding what part made the difference....well, over the years, I've had 3 sets of droplinks / bushes on the front, a balljoint on a front wishbone twice, and at least 3 new wishbones, 2 rear droplink / bushes sets, 2 steering racks, and a couple of track-rod ends. The problem seemed to be like light bulbs in the old days...replace one, then the next one went....so....with that in mind, I replaced everything in almost one hit the last time round, or at least within a few thousand miles....and with everything new, it all came together to give a noticeable difference!.Also, a new stainless exhaust and a few other mods made it a lot smoother feel, so all in all very pleased. The thing is, that it's getting beyond me to do a lot of work on it, due to disabilities, but the last bugbear is bleeding the thing every few years...I might see if I can train the local garage up, if not, I'll maybe think of a bigger Jeep and caravan...the Jeep Commander with the 5.7 V8 looks good at the moment...we'll have to see how the local garage shapes up to a bit of tutoring first
Cheers
Helen

helen&tony wrote:Hi Mike
I asked around about gas shocks, but I heard from a certain Bongo oracle that the standard Mazda ones usually proved the best.
Regarding what part made the difference....well, over the years, I've had 3 sets of droplinks / bushes on the front, a balljoint on a front wishbone twice, and at least 3 new wishbones, 2 rear droplink / bushes sets, 2 steering racks, and a couple of track-rod ends. The problem seemed to be like light bulbs in the old days...replace one, then the next one went....so....with that in mind, I replaced everything in almost one hit the last time round, or at least within a few thousand miles....and with everything new, it all came together to give a noticeable difference!.Also, a new stainless exhaust and a few other mods made it a lot smoother feel, so all in all very pleased. The thing is, that it's getting beyond me to do a lot of work on it, due to disabilities, but the last bugbear is bleeding the thing every few years...I might see if I can train the local garage up, if not, I'll maybe think of a bigger Jeep and caravan...the Jeep Commander with the 5.7 V8 looks good at the moment...we'll have to see how the local garage shapes up to a bit of tutoring first
Cheers
Helen

Useful info Helen and thanks - much as I expected. Yes I understand about the problems of DIY maintenance as we age