V6 Petrol Stiffer Suspension

[apole]

Hi there,

I have a facelift V6 petrol bongo. I've fitted the air suspension assistors as the rear suspension is quite soft and bottomed out easily. It is heavier than standard due to an LPG conversion with tank at the rear, and a side conversion.

I'm still thinking that a slightly stiffer suspension set up would be good as it's still a bit wallowy and the air suspension bags only help when the springs compress, not when they open up the other way.

Would a stiffer set of springs/dampers have any detrimental affects? I recall a thread a while back that mentioned some part of the suspension could be under extra load.

Also is the suspension on a V6 the same as on the diesel?

Thanks for any advice.

[The Great Pretender]

'A bit wallowy' would suggest that the dampers or one of them is the problem.

[apole]

Thanks.

Being checked out and air suspension checked tomorrow. Also going to try some stiffer springs as I'm told it's not a big job to swap them out. If they work better I'll keep them, if not go back to standard.

My car has always been very soft at the back and easily bottoms out. The airbags help but I want to stiffen it up further without going overboard as I'm carrying more weight generally these days with bikes and camping gear.

Keep you posted.

Andy

[cheffy34]

Soz can't really help apole except for


You need to slow down a bit

especiallly over the bumps sleeping police men make my backend hit the deck as they say if i forget they are there but i did lower mine , i may be slightly concerned if i was carrying a gas tank under the back tho

[apole]

Update, the air suspension supply hose had come off so there was no pressure in the bags. Sorted now and drives alot better.

Having checked I'm going to replace the dampers too then all should be well.

Looked at lowered suspension but felt it wasn't for me.

Main thing it's better now which is great and something simple too which is always a relief.

Thanks for all your help.

Andy

[apole]

Hi again,

Quick update on this, big progress today, very happy.

Ordered up some new genuine rear shocks and had them fitted today, along with the spacers for the air suspension.

Huge difference now in the way it drives and goes over bumps. The back now feels like it's connected to the front of the car, like driving a completely different vehicle.

The old shocks were coming up to 10 years old, they were much easier to move in and out than the new ones, although not leaking.

Just goes to show how the impact of time and use affects these things, and as it happens gradually you don't notice the difference.

Pleased I did it now.

Andy

[missfixit70]

How much were the rear shocks Andy?
I see Matt Savage is now listing ( at the same price too) the two lots of airbags for the bongo, one for lowered & one for standard, spoke to Biobongo at Softies meet & he wasn't happy with the shorter ones that we were supplied, so Matt sent him out ther longer ones as exchange for standard suspension with no extra spacer required.

[apole]

Hi, cheapest I could find genuine mazda ones was £186 all in. Much more than I expected but they have made a real difference so ddespite the cost , I'm happy as the car drives so much better.

Yes the original bags Matt sent were a bit too short but still helped a lot, especially when loaded. Spacer he sent was easy to fit, basically you use silicon sealant to glue it underneath the top mount.

Matt has been very helpful and the bags are good and well priced.

So I have now got there at long last. I'd never have thought about new shocks till it was mentioned here.

I was lucky as I was at discount trucks and we could rock several vans side by side for comparison. Many were as soft as mine, a couple were not. Now mine is one of the firmest.

Car now soaks up the bumps and undulations nicely, without being too firm and crashy.

[francophile1947]

It really is amazing the difference a new set of shocks can make to the handling and braking of a car.
The MOT only seems to fail them if they are actually leaking but, as you have found out, they can be worn out (and potentially dangerous) well before then