V6 Airlift suspension kit

[Laverda981]

I bought an Airlift suspension kit a week ago to support the rear end on my V6 which was a bit wallowy when fully laden on undulating roads. My local reliable garage tried to fit the kit but stopped because they were not happy with the fit. I then contacted a garage in Eastleigh that state they work on Bongos but they refused to do the job! Can someone tell me if they had any trouble getting a garage to fit an Airlift kit? The shop that sold me the kit are happy to offer a refund but I just want them fitted.

[dandemann8]

Hi, fitted mine myself using WD-40 for lubricant, jack your rear end up and it should take no more than an hour, well worth it so don't give up

[wonkanoby]

has yours been lowered

[Getcarter]

I got mine fitted buy 321 away. They said the kit I had was really tricky to fit but they did a great job. They put the air inlet behind the hatch in the side door step by the jack, really neat.

Can't remember what type of kit it was but I bought it off another forum member

Really makes a difference when fully loaded too

Tim

[weebrian]

I fitted this kit, don't know if it's the same but took about an hour. Bit of a struggle but well worth it.

http://air-lift.co.uk/product.php?unique_id=341

[mentaliss]

I bought an Airlift suspension kit a week ago to support the rear end on my V6 which was a bit wallowy when fully laden on undulating roads. My local reliable garage tried to fit the kit but stopped because they were not happy with the fit. I then contacted a garage in Eastleigh that state they work on Bongos but they refused to do the job! Can someone tell me if they had any trouble getting a garage to fit an Airlift kit? The shop that sold me the kit are happy to offer a refund but I just want them fitted.

I to fitted mine, the secret is to get the suspension completely unloaded, but make no mistake for your own safety reasons you should not attempt to do this without the proper equipment ie; garage jack, pair of axle stands. I sense that for what ever reason you may not want to undertake this job yourself , that's fine but don't be put off by garages that 'poo poo' the work as they are obviously don't want the job. Bongos are an old mechanical design's they didn't come from planet Zon, I do find some of the opinion's regarding the 'specialised garages' complete nonsense, Any decent Mechanic should sort this job out under 1.5 hours! In my case I was able to fit the air bags with the spring partially released, some brute force is required, I keep the installation simple by fitting the schrader valve to the side body moulding (aero body) underneath, (after all the same type of tyre valves are open to the elements)..I carry a TowBox loaded with the usual camping gear and as others say here the air bag assistors really make a difference to the way the vehicle reacts

[Laverda981]

My Bongo has not been lowered as far as I can tell.

Thank you all for the posts, very helpful. I shal go back to the original garage I trust and get them to fit the kit this week. I used to do all of my mechanical work but due to a severe back problem my days of working under vehicles is over. The best way to work on the Bongo suspension is definitely off the ground.

[mikeonb4c]

Would I be right in saying that putting the Bongo on axle stands (if literally placed under the rear axle) would not allow the suspension to be unloaded. I guess the vehicle could be jacked on the axle and then the stands placed somewhere else (the scissor jacking points for example?)?

[Dodgey]

Yeah - suspending the vehicle on it's axles leaves it fully loaded, which you don't want.

[mentaliss]

Would I be right in saying that putting the Bongo on axle stands (if literally placed under the rear axle) would not allow the suspension to be unloaded. I guess the vehicle could be jacked on the axle and then the stands placed somewhere else (the scissor jacking points for example?)?

To start with for your own safety I should say you should use a pair of spring compressor clamps (£20-27) but its quite a simple task but time consuming. Place your two stands under the rear axle make sure there seated on the axle tube, release the jack move the jack under the one spring seat, pump up till the axle just release's from the axle tube take out the stand pin, don't take the stand away, now slowly release the jack until the spring drops away from the upper spring seat you can now either use a 2x2" length of wood or a decent pry bar...pry the spring out of the lower seat..you don't need to remove the spring! lubricate the air bag (silicone grease/spray) and insert the bag into the spring...the rest should be straight forward, the cost, your time, spring clamps and tea!
PS, I have done three vehicles using this method without any problems

[Laverda981]

Had the airlift fitted and am using 18 - 20 psi. What a difference, the Bongo rides and corners so much better and of course it no longer bottoms out on undulating roads. Highly recommended.

[helen&tony]

Hi
I've got that job to do...do you point the tube end of the bag up or down?....If upwards, does the tube feed easily through the chassis ?
Cheers
Helen

[dunslair]

Hi
I've got that job to do...do you point the tube end of the bag up or down?....If upwards, does the tube feed easily through the chassis ?
Cheers
Helen

Ours points up, but goes through an ole what was drilled. (then lots of underseal gunk plastered and a rubber gromit pushed in to run the tube through (to avoid chafing))

[MountainGoat]

Helen if yours is a 1998 4WD diesel like mine or similar then the valve on the Air Spring assisters should face downwards. I am on my second set of assisters, the first burst when I hit a rough patch on the M6 going over Shap with a load of my partner's daughter's furniture.

The first set that burst were fitted by a garage facing upwards, the same garage put the second set in free of charge facing downwards and these work fine. Not sure what happened but it seems that somehow the airline or valve got trapped when my Bongo bottomed out. My bump stops were fine and I still have the original ones.

Tony

[helen&tony]

Hi
Thanks for that, folks...I'll take a serious look over the next few days....unfortunately, today was not one of my favourites....and I have to calm down before I bite someone's head off.....NAH.....bring 'em on....I could do with some blood-sport
Anyway, I'll report back!!!!
Cheers
Helen