Bongo 4-WD Help!

[Novastrike]

Hi Guys,

During the last batch of snow, I was forced by my boss to try and get to heathrow. On the way there, I skidded on some ice and curbed the front right tyre very hard. The result bent the drivers side wishbone quite nastily. Got a second hand one, fitted it and jobs a goodun. On the way to dropping off a Fridge 20 miles up the road (which was sitting in the van at the time of the accident) immediately after fixing the van, It started to make a small grinding noise, which got louder and louder until it made an almighty crash and the front wheels locked up completely.

Based on my completely unskilled assessment of the situation, I am guessing the front diff has gone, especially as oil was leaking from from the rear of the vehicle by the diff. So I have a couple of questions that I would be really grateful if you could help with!

1 - I have seen a lot of talk about removing the front propshaft and converting it from a 4x4 to an RWD vehicle. Is this a complex job and what are the implications besides the obvious loss of 4x4. Will it put more pressure on the transfer box, is it only a short term fix?
2 - What is the easiest way to check that it is the front diff thats gone?
3 - Where can I source a replacement diff? The shop, Ebay and Bongo bits are coming up dry.

Thanks alot to anyone who can help me with this. Missing my Bongo already!

JP

[Simon Jones]

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear of your troubles. There is a factsheet on converting to 2WD but you will need to be a paid up member to access this link:

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/member ... ersion.pdf

If the front diff is actually damaged then disconnecting the prop shaft may not help as the gears will still be rotating inside, but it's a good place to start. You can pick up a replacement diff quite easily on eBay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-Bongo-F ... 5652ace3ee

Put your location in to your profile and people will suggest breakers in your area.

[Novastrike]

Thanks Scott,

I am a fully paid up member so will use that guide. Is there any long term implications of converting it?

Thanks,

John

[Simon Jones]

There are a few people here running around with front driveshaft disconnected with no reported problems. One person was going to remove the diff and driveshafts competely otherwise you're carrying around a heavy lump of unnecessary metalwork.

[Novastrike]

Thank you!

[Northern Bongolow]

as you say you changed a front tyre i would guess that you have replaced it with the wrong size tyre, or even the right size but one is now new and the others are well worn.
if this is the case i would suggest that the difference in rolling radius on that one tyre may be enough to give you transmission wind up, and is giving issues at the rear diff.

please check your tyre size and wear carefully.

[Novastrike]

Hi There,

Sorry for the confusion but I only changed the wishbone. Whilst the hub cap and steel was a bit brusied the tyre was fine.

Can I just confirm that there aren't different types of Diff? One guy on ebay is mentioning ABS and No ABS etc. My Bongo is a 95 2.5td with 4 wheel drive without Slip diff.

Thanks,

John

[Simon Jones]

Pretty certain the presence of ABS makes no difference to the diff. The hubs may be different as they will have the ABS ring as seen here on a 2WD van: