jacking points

[oliver]

Really simple one.....where are the jacking points located on a bongo ? What are the two extra bits of metal contained within the bag with the wheel nut wrench ? Do I need to use these ? Help appreciated.

[kawasaki kid]

The jacking points are where the suspension is mounted to the body - don`t jack the van up using the sills as they will get damaged - someone tried this on my van before I bought it and bent the lip on the bottom of the sill - the bits of metal with your wrench should open out as these are chocks to put under the wheels when jacking up the van - have you got / found the long bar that you put through the hole above the rear bumper - it should be in the jack compartment clipped above the door.

[Ron Miel]

The jacking points are where the suspension is mounted to the body - don`t jack the van up using the sills as they will get damaged - someone tried this on my van before I bought it and bent the lip on the bottom of the sill - the bits of metal with your wrench should open out as these are chocks to put under the wheels when jacking up the van - have you got / found the long bar that you put through the hole above the rear bumper - it should be in the jack compartment clipped above the door.

But surely the standard Bongo jack's designed to 'notch' onto the sill flanges, as indicated in the owners' handbook? Mine has worked fine in that way, so far, although I must admit that a (non Bongo specialist) garage, removing wheels to eliminate Seal-a-Wheel tyre sealant (causing imbalance), slightly bent one sill flange - by NOT using the standard Bongo jack. I don't go to them any more!!!!

[kawasaki kid]

Ron, just checked in handbook and on page 163 it has two small pictures showing a jack under the suspension mounts - I prefer to use a trolley jack myself when raising the van - a two ton van dropping on you will hurt.

[mikeonb4c]

My experience was the same as KK's - a previous owner had buckled a cill seam by jacking it there. the manual shows where jacking points are, but I can never remember where until i look underneath and then I go 'ah yes I remember now'.

The bit I find scary is that the jacking point at the rear for a trolley jack is - I think - the diff. casing which, although obviously solid, is a bit of the mechanical works and I hate the thought of stressing it unduly

[David Edwards]

Another reason why I bought the air bag jack, quicker, easier, faster and no risk of damage to motor,lol.

[mikeonb4c]

Another reason why I bought the air bag jack, quicker, easier, faster and no risk of damage to motor,lol.

You've Been Bongoed showed me his yesterday. He just sticks it in the exhaust and it inflates. Very neat. I asked him whether he used axle stands in case it deflated while he was underneath his beloved and on the job. We were talking about his airbag jack.....obviously.

But seriously, a very compact, bagged and well priced piece of kit. I'm tempted. But is there a safety issue in case it punctures while you are in a compromising position (oops - slipping back into double entrendres - love those French girls - again )

[DemonAV]

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 850#p56850

[Ron Miel]

Ron, just checked in handbook and on page 163 it has two small pictures showing a jack under the suspension mounts - I prefer to use a trolley jack myself when raising the van - a two ton van dropping on you will hurt.

Thanks KK. Book's in the van. I'll get it out and have another look tomorrow. Certainly agree the last bit in your post. So far I've only jacked up without needing to remove a wheel - am very nervous about wheel removal, however jacked. Agree with mikeonb4c that jacking under the diff sounds hairy/scary.

Airbag jacks in subsequent posts sound interesting. Hope there's one or more at Stourport to take a decko at.

[mikeonb4c]

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 850#p56850

Thanks DemonAV - yup, diff. casing it is then

[David Edwards]

Well mike the air bag shouldn't puncture as it is quite thick, plus the two plastic mats supplied for top and bottom should also prevent any trouble, I have had mine years now with no probs and wouldnt be without it. I dont think you are meant to work under the car with just the bag, I wouldnt without axle stands but changing a wheel is super quick.

[mikeonb4c]

Well mike the air bag shouldn't puncture as it is quite thick, plus the two plastic mats supplied for top and bottom should also prevent any trouble, I have had mine years now with no probs and wouldnt be without it. I dont think you are meant to work under the car with just the bag, I wouldnt without axle stands but changing a wheel is super quick.

On the shopping list it goes then

[Ron Miel]

Ron, just checked in handbook and on page 163 it has two small pictures showing a jack under the suspension mounts - I prefer to use a trolley jack myself when raising the van - a two ton van dropping on you will hurt.

Thanks KK. Book's in the van. I'll get it out and have another look tomorrow. Certainly agree the last bit in your post. So far I've only jacked up without needing to remove a wheel - am very nervous about wheel removal, however jacked. Agree with mikeonb4c that jacking under the diff sounds hairy/scary.

Airbag jacks in subsequent posts sound interesting. Hope there's one or more at Stourport to take a decko at.

Hi again KK. "Small" was the operative word re the page 163 pix! I can see now that I hadn't really worked out what they were trying to show, and had just assumed that the text reference to placing "the jack under the jacking grooves" somehow referred to the usual car jacking points at reinforced cill flange locations - which are also apparently evident on the Bongo (welding overlaps?). Above garage apparently reached the same dud conclusion!

Due to an LPG tank fitted where the space saver spare used to be, I'm running around (with bated breath) just reliant on 'orrible puncture sealant cans. Due also to not very good jack (especially used my way!) for on the road wheel changes, had settled for that - but certainly didn't feel happy about it.

Having now bought what might be the last new Draper air bag jack in UK stock (just one on eBay/all other online suppliers I found now show it as discontinued), I'm now much happier about wheel changes, and have to work out how to cram the spare on board after all!

Has anybody ever organised a means of carrying the spare clamped to a Terzo rear ladder, as below? Could move the ladder a little to the right, and mount the wheel well above lights and reg plate. Would need some sort of quick release bracketry, and wondered if anybody already had found a source, or fabricated something which works well? Alternatively, I might have to invest in roof bars just to stick the spare up top.

[David Edwards]

Good stuff on the air bag jack Ron, shame they are so rare I would not be without mine and have helped so many people with it all have asked where I got it from lol, just wondering if you any sort of engineering firm near you, be an easy task for them to knock up a couple of brackets for the ladder with padlock rings on, be easy to remove too I should think, you never know you might even start a trend and make a few quid flogging em, lol. Remember tho always use the plastic mats with the air bag.

[mikeonb4c]

Well done Ron. I couldn't find them on t'internet last night

I wonder why they have been discontinued, as they seem such an obviously sensible and well priced idea.