Uprated Suspension Springs

[Gasy]

Many thanks tony
I had kinda talked me self out of the air bags
Would you say they rise the height of the rear by much

[Tony x]

Ride height stays more or less the same with the van unloaded. However, when you load it up it doesn't sag down nearly as much as without them.
Sorry, I haven't got actual figures

[Gasy]

Thanks tony
Now I really don't know which way to go
I need to raise the height of the rear of the van as with me caravan hitched on its to low
But with the stronger springs will the ride be to hard with out the caravan hitched up ?
Will the bags stop it sagging ?
But the rear is low with out hitchin up the van
I do carry a camp kitchen box under one seat a big basket of spares and tools under the other , I also seem to have me 6 man inflatable dingy in there for a few months now aswell ( you never know )

This morning I was going to order the airbags when I had a min, now I'm thinking stronger springs again
All advise much appreciated
Gasy

[Tony x]

I'm not sure what to suggest Gasy.
I've not had the stronger springs and I've not towed.
I suspect both would work for you but you really need advice from one of the many that does tow with their Bongo.
Hopefully someone will come along soon andresolve your dilema

[windywatson]

Hi,
Go with the air lift, at least they give you some option to adjust the pressure to get the ride how you would like it to be.
I fitted air lift to stop the van bottoming on rear springs over sleeping policeman. Once installed I soon realised how much it improved the ride as well. The cornering on roundabouts is much improved. I have also started towing a caravan and have found the airlift to have been invaluable in levelling the van & improving the towing experience.
Best £100 I've spent on the van.

cheers

[helen&tony]

Hi
If you fit stronger springs, you'll need to do so all round, or there will be an imbalance in handling, and you'll need to uprate a lot of other suspension components in order that everything works properly...for example roll-bar and bushes, and better shocks...By far the cheapest and easiest is the air-helpers, so you can adjust when owing.
Cheers
Helen

[mikeonb4c]

Hi
If you fit stronger springs, you'll need to do so all round, or there will be an imbalance in handling, and you'll need to uprate a lot of other suspension components in order that everything works properly...for example roll-bar and bushes, and better shocks...By far the cheapest and easiest is the air-helpers, so you can adjust when owing.
Cheers
Helen

But as queried above, are these plastic bags (for that is what they are?) really the right tool for permanently holding up the weight of a Bongo? If one of those goes bang while cornering you really could have a handling problem. I've always thought that is why they are called assistors (i.e they assist, not substitute).

Although I totally get the theory of imbalanced suspension, I would have thought that provided both springs on one axle are changed, and springs that are close to original spec are used, then handling should be acceptable (except perhaps if at-the-limit driving). Looking at it laterally, the OP appears to be already driving with imbalanced suspension by having springs on the rear that seem to have become too weak. Fitting (the right) stronger springs might just get handling back to where it should have been in the first place. I'm no expert but.....I'd suck it and see. Plenty of test driving after fitting is also what I'd do, to see if I could identify any nasty handling habits having crept in.

Incidentally, is there a risk that stronger springs may not compress into the space without fuss?

[g8dhe]

As far as I can see they don't hold the weight of the Bongo, they fit inside the springs and only take the excess weight when the springs start to compress.
Changing the pressure in them doesn't alter the height at all, it merely adds extra resistance to compression once the springs start to compress.

[Gasy]

i think it will be fine to just replace the rear springs
As long as both are done on one axle I carnt see it being a problem
New shocks would deffo help
But I will see what there like this weekend if I get time to replace springs

I've replaced front springs on a few motors
Even cut some off think it was a mark 1 escort or ford Anglia to lower it in the past
Have also used them spring clamps to lower the front end on a ford Anglia 105e
All felt to handle better
And the amount of air cooled vw we messed about with the suspension we had a square back so low it would not go over a fag packet on its side
And landrovers we have replaced springs for higher ones they sway about a bit with a 4" lift

If the air bags don't higher the rear , then there not going to sort my saggy / low rear end problem I have a the moment
We will see how it goes
Hopefully do the swap this weekend

[helen&tony]

Hi Mike
Well, unless you indiscriminately tow colossal weights each week, or fully load the Bongo with people or mountaineering gear, or camping equipment, then the Bongo is pretty nicely balanced, and the springs will be in equal condition. The air bags are, as you say, assisters, and as Geoff says, they only add a little resistance under pressure...that's ALL they are intended for. The Bongo's mid engine is a pain in the bum for camping, but it really makes for nice driving, and as stated, the wear will be more even than average vehicles, and phaffing around with springs indiscriminately will give far worse handling, as you'll end up with a loose front end at some speeds, and a tendency towards sliding the back if stiffer in the wet. I like the Bongo as a normal ride, and fitting bags that can be adjusted as a "cushion" makes a lot more sense, and having an onboard compressor is the way to go (I haven't got one YET!)....If you pump the pressure on mine up to 20, it hinders the back, as would uprated springs, and the front is more bouncy...so driving to the shops at 15 PSI, and pumping up to 20 before loading is most KOOL...Incidentally, apart from the rear trailing arm bushes , EVERY suspension component including the top mounts (front) and all dampers have been replaced in the last 6000 miles, all with Mazda original parts, and as I don't use the Bongo much, it drives like a new vehicle. Next is total brake overhaul, then fuel system. Cooling already done....ALL new apart from 3 steel pipes (on the list)
Cheers
Helen

[mikeonb4c]

I think we're assuming the rear springs are, for some reason, knackered. If they're not, then spring assistors would be the way to go. It will be interesting to hear how everyone gets on. Hopefully they'll leave feedback on here.

[Simon Jones]

Even if they are not knackered, fitting "25% stronger" ones should make a difference even if it's stiffer & less comfortable.

[Gasy]

Well they might not go on this weekend
Arrived home to a missed you card from bloody parcel Pete, uk mail
There nearest depot is 45 miles from me and they don't deliver sat
I emailed them yesterday asking for them to leave at neighbours , they not got them nothing written on card
Here we go again with them lot
Looks like it willbe next weekend in the camping field
Bugger

[Calum]

I'd love to know how this turned out Gasy!

I've got a full conversion, and the bongo bottoms out on bigger bumps even without the camping gear, so I'm definitely keen to hear how you got on.

[Gasy]

Hello all hope all is good
Not been on for a long while
Then see this from days back

Yes I fitted the 25 ./. Stronger ones and I was still bottoming out even with out the caravan on the back
So I fitted the airlift .co.uk air bags and
The best £100 I've ever spent on a vehicle
Fitted in 1 hr each sizd with a trolley jack and a pair of normal pliers for the spring clips
Jacked it up pushed the bags in with the handle of the trolley jack cut hose to short length tie wrapped to under body used pliers to put spring clips on hose and valve in wheel arch pumped up job done
I run mine at 20 psi
No way near as much roll through corners and Can now travel down same road at 50 with caravan on back when I used to have to crawl at 10-15 mph
I would not bother with new springs these bags are wonders
4 1/2 years now no major probs over 20000 + miles

O another little things I have done to it since I've been on is gear box rad cooler mounted at front
I've moved number plate to the side on the bumper and it now runs 2c cooler under normal conditions
Had to have the rear left had side droopy bumper welded up
Just done glastonbury fest and devon for 2 weeks no probs