drop link advice

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior

Locked
User avatar
westonwarrior
Supreme Being
Posts: 2918
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:27 pm

drop link advice

Post by westonwarrior » Fri May 04, 2007 5:31 pm

Just got some drop links and I am going to fit them tomorrow.

Now those that have already undertaken this task,

Did you need to support the roll bar or does it sit in place so to speak?

Any other advice?


I know about the wd40 and am going to do that now

Thanks in advance
User avatar
mikeonb4c
Supreme Being
Posts: 22877
Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm
Location: Living with Mango Bongo in the North West but with a tendency to roam
Contact:

Post by mikeonb4c » Fri May 04, 2007 5:48 pm

rear drop links are e talking about? If so I had loads of excellent advice (on BF if you search). Thecore of it was to make sure the van is 'sitting' as it would in normal use as otherwise you may tighten the drop links in the 'wrong' position and when the van is put back into its normal sitting position, the rubber bushes will be twisted by the load and split/give out prematurely. In practice this seemed to mean I was OK having both wheels on axle stands with the wheels off so the van was level in the lateral plane (i.e. as seen from behind). It didnt matter that its 'bum' was up in the air somewhat. I asked and asked again about this and was reasssured it was fine. So I tightened everything up on the stands, then let the van down to ground when done. Only time will tell whether I've been 'naughty' but I dont think so. Hope this helps. Mike 8)
User avatar
westonwarrior
Supreme Being
Posts: 2918
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:27 pm

Post by westonwarrior » Fri May 04, 2007 5:56 pm

Sorry,,, front drop links

thanks though :lol:
ebygum32

Post by ebygum32 » Fri May 04, 2007 7:57 pm

same as what mike said for the front did mine a couple of weeks ago, no problems some members used two jacks one to support the van and one to support the link, i just took the wheel off then used ?17 or 19mm socket and cursed as they were tight even had to get air impact wrench on one to get it off but start to finish just over an hour hope this helps
User avatar
Simon Jones
Supreme Being
Posts: 9341
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:34 pm
Location: Salisbury (ish), Wiltshire

Post by Simon Jones » Sat May 05, 2007 8:06 pm

If you lift both wheels & support the van chassis on axle stands then there will be no tension on the anti-roll bar. I did mine the other week & it ended up involving an angle grinder to remove the old ones as the nuts & flats just rounded off. Good luck - it may be a frustrating exercise.
User avatar
westonwarrior
Supreme Being
Posts: 2918
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:27 pm

Post by westonwarrior » Sat May 05, 2007 8:25 pm

Job was done this afternoon and surprisingly quickly

I jacked up both sides and rested axel stands under the wishbones so it rested as if it were in drive level.

Took one wheel off at a time just in case
The nuts were tight and I had to put a spanner on the back nut of one of them as is spun but once it started moving it undid very easy.
So job done in about an hour and no more clunk.
User avatar
mikeonb4c
Supreme Being
Posts: 22877
Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm
Location: Living with Mango Bongo in the North West but with a tendency to roam
Contact:

Post by mikeonb4c » Sat May 05, 2007 10:21 pm

Very satisfying isnt it, esp. the result. 1hr - makes you wonder what all the fuss is about! Time for a cold beer and a warm glow.

8)
User avatar
brorabongo
Supreme Being
Posts: 3226
Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:56 pm
Location: Brora, Sutherland

Post by brorabongo » Sun May 06, 2007 3:08 am

I'm slowly building up courage to do mine so hearing how it's done, and how easy you lot are finding is comforting. I just worry about having tight nuts!! :shock:
ボンゴの激怒 pictures
Run your fingers over my Bongo, and I'll run my Bongo over your fingers!! :twisted:
ebygum32

Post by ebygum32 » Sun May 06, 2007 8:08 am

"I just worry about having tight nuts!! "

Thats where the missus comes in to give you a "hand" :wink:
User avatar
westonwarrior
Supreme Being
Posts: 2918
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:27 pm

Post by westonwarrior » Sun May 06, 2007 8:27 am

just need an extra bit of leaveridge. I used a tourqe wrench, and soaked them in wd40 the night before

Be carefull though they were tight but once moved very loose so spanner rash is a possibility.
neil/di
Bongolier
Posts: 471
Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 4:52 pm
Location: Hadlow Down East Sussex

Post by neil/di » Sun May 06, 2007 1:54 pm

Just replaced front and rear drop links and bushes, although they didnt look to bad, but what difference, its like having a new car, well worth the time,cost and effort
Neil
A Bongos is not just for christmas
Locked

Return to “Techie Stuff”