Bongo Fury

Hi All,

My first post here so apologies if i miss anything out. I've been on the forum for years but just reading an observing.

I have a 1995, 2.5 Diesel Friendee 2WD. I've owned her for almost 3 years now, usually daily as a gardener but also weekends to carry the kayaks and fishing gear! She's been spot on apart from the usual rust issues here and there which i've had sorted along the way. Apart from fitting new coolant lines because one or two had corroded i've barely had to do anything else to keep her up and running.

However, more recently she started to develop a bit of a slight vibration/shudder when pulling away, and then at particular speeds there would be some vibration.

Until the other day when I pulled out of the local shop car park and thought that my rear axle had fallen off as the vibration got instantly worse. The Van runs smooth when parked, theres a bit of a clunk going from D/R and vice versa, when accelerating above 5/10 mph the vibrations make the van underivable, it feels like its coming from the rear, i'm just not sure where to start or quite what to look for? Any direction would be amazing, my first thought is something to do with the prop shaft or rear diff.

Thanks in advance.

First perhaps check all the tyres for bulges or damage especially on the inside where its not immediately visible ?
Also check the drive shaft itself and supports someone had a problem recently with the support having failed and the rear drive shaft had nearly ripped its way thru the coupling by all accounts!
Maybe also check the brake disks for any warps, but normally you would feel this worse when braking rather than all the time?

Will Double check the tyres' I did give them a once over however will double check the insides that aren't as visible.

Will double check the drive shaft as what you've explained there feels to match up with the aggressive nature of what I experienced is there anything in particular to look out for?

I had a slight wobble when breaking which turned out to be a seized brake but i had that all done last year and braking etc has felt fine since.

Will report back

Yes it was this thread https://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/vie ... 09#p724809

oh wow ok, yeah I think i spotted that post when looking for similar symtoms.

I've just checked the inside of the tyres, definitely no obvious damage or buldges.

I've tried to snap a few pics from each end of the prop just to make sure i'm looking at the right area. Will pop these below to see if theres anything you might potentially notice immediately, but if i'm looking in the right areas i'll get under when theres more light so I can have a proper look.

Just an update on this one, I noticed I'd put 2wd drive in the original post but its obviously a 4wd, apologies. :doh:

I've checked a few things today, I've tried to move the prop shafts by had side to side when in neutral and there doesn't appear to be any play. Although in the pics you can see they look pretty rough.

I drove up and down my road a few times, the judder comes in almost when the revs pic up and it goes into second, i tried reversing and there's no judder at all. The judder also stops when I knock the van into N when moving along.

I've checked the Transmission fluid also and its all full and a nice clear pinkish colour.

Have you tried removing and replacing each wheel in turn and checking wheel and bearing, I'm just wondering if there is a loose wheel bolt/nut or a problem. I assume all the wheels are standard no spigot rings or such like for non-standard wheels?

Ok good shout I'll do that today and report back.

hi mate, yeah sounds like its the prop to me. get both rears on stands , disconnect front prop (and inspect and replace universal joints if needed) then run it in 1st and look at the prop, if its visibly moving up and down youve got a snapped or cracked joint. Ive noticed the props on these are pretty weak and without regular greasing and maintenance they will snap.

Also there is a sliding joint on each prop. Check those for play, a tiny bit is ok. Pack them with grease before putting the props back on.

Update:

Ended up purchasing some ramps to get the van up onto. Had a good look underneath, it was indeed the rear prop.

One of the universal joints had completely sheered away from the prop, new prop with uj's ordered from bongo spares, hopefully will arrive before the weekend and will get it all fitted and report back.

A video here of the issue for anyone interested

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zndPdZO3nwI

Thanks for the help!

Good to hear you have found it. Seen several reports in the last month of prop shaft / drive shaft problems which up to now has have been pretty rare!

Yeah fingers crossed this gets her back running nice and smooth again, appreciate your help.

New prop in today, runs like an absolute dream, smoothest she's ever been! Thanks again all.

Early symptoms were, judder when pulling away that gradually got worse, and a metal click when going from D to R or visa versa