Rod to remove spare tire

[timhum]

Hi Joz,

Have PM'd you.

Tim

[nicstrike]

just as a thought,does anyone know of any other mazda (or other) rims that are the same offset/pdc as the bongo? i'm thinking 626 or similar maybe? they are a little more likely to be found in most local breakers at sensible money than anything for a bongo!

[New Forest Terrier]

Can you replace the space saver safely with a standard Bongo wheel if you have low profile tyres.

I have 17 in alloys and the tyres are KUMHO ECSTA SPT 225/45ZR17 94YXL. This is on a V6 2wd tintop. They were fitted by Micheldever Tyres the biggest tyre specialist in the south and according to them the rating is correct for a tin top.

On durability of tyres I bough daughter a Vauxuhall Nova as first car which still had its 18 yr old original spare unused. When it was put on after a puncture it only lasted thirty miles as a get you home. The rubber had degraded so badly that the tread started peeling.

Regards

Terrier

[mister munkey]

I've got a full size 15" spare & have had to use it as a get-you-home measure along with the other 3 wheels on 18" RX8 alloys.

Didn't notice too much difference really as I guess the rolling circumference is pretty close & certainly much safer than the 'lil ol' skinny.

[scanner]

Can you replace the space saver safely with a standard Bongo wheel if you have low profile tyres.

Yes plenty of room available

I have 17 in alloys and the tyres are KUMHO ECSTA SPT 225/45ZR17 94YXL. This is on a V6 2wd tintop. They were fitted by Micheldever Tyres the biggest tyre specialist in the south and according to them the rating is correct for a tin top.

Not that I know of - what does it say on the plate inside the driver's door opening?

I'll bet it says 96 for the rear - it does on my tintop.

On durability of tyres I bough daughter a Vauxuhall Nova as first car which still had its 18 yr old original spare unused. When it was put on after a puncture it only lasted thirty miles as a get you home. The rubber had degraded so badly that the tread started peeling.

Regards

Terrier

Quite.

[New Forest Terrier]

Total confusion.

The plate inside the drivers door gives two numbers both odd plus a lot of Japanese.

These are 195SR15 and 215/70R15 98S. Neither seem right for the Bongo. Both sound too low profile and S is too low a speed rating for a V6.

I bought the tyres immediatly after I purchased the Bongo, before I used the forum and relied on Micheldever to provide the correct spec. I did query it with them later when I had the wheels rebalanced with the spigot rings and was told they were absolutely correct.

I have bought tyres from them for a long time and have owned several vehicles in the same style as the Bongo heavy and all faster. These included a V8 Range Rover, Discovery and three assorted Volvos. All had tyres fitted there without any problems.

Given this I will continue as fitted, but check for any signs of problems.

[scanner]

Total confusion.

The plate inside the drivers door gives two numbers both odd plus a lot of Japanese.

These are 195SR15 and 215/70R15 98S. Neither seem right for the Bongo. Both sound too low profile and S is too low a speed rating for a V6.

I bought the tyres immediatly after I purchased the Bongo, before I used the forum and relied on Micheldever to provide the correct spec. I did query it with them later when I had the wheels rebalanced with the spigot rings and was told they were absolutely correct.

I have bought tyres from them for a long time and have owned several vehicles in the same style as the Bongo heavy and all faster. These included a V8 Range Rover, Discovery and three assorted Volvos. All had tyres fitted there without any problems.

Given this I will continue as fitted, but check for any signs of problems.

Where no profile is shown i.e. 195SR15 the profile is 80(%) and that is not low profile at all.

70(%) profile as in 215/70R15 isn't low profile either.

98S is the on right side of 96 to be a correct load index and "S" is

S 180kph 111.8mph

and if Mazda rate it at that who are we to question them?

So according to the plate fitted to your vehicle by it's manufacturer - it should be fitted with 195(/80) R15 front and 215/70R15 98S on the rear.

Whatever Micheldever's reputation I would want to ask them where they got their information and are they willing to indemnify you if your insurer should choose to disagree.

[nicstrike]

so no-one has fitted an "alternative" full size steel wheel? i'll measure pcd & offset and have a rummage 'round the local scrappies.not many bongo's breaking in these here parts. i need to cannibalise a couple of checkstraps to keep the doors open , i'm sure another mazda of similar vintage should yield gold. a 95/96 323 provided me with 4 door pull cups for £2....bargain....even if they were black rather than grey but better quality plastic..less brittle.

[scanner]

so no-one has fitted an "alternative" full size steel wheel? i'll measure pcd & offset and have a rummage 'round the local scrappies.not many bongo's breaking in these here parts. i need to cannibalise a couple of checkstraps to keep the doors open , i'm sure another mazda of similar vintage should yield gold. a 95/96 323 provided me with 4 door pull cups for £2....bargain....even if they were black rather than grey but better quality plastic..less brittle.

No need to search or measure...

This..
http://www.alloywheelsinternational.com ... UIDE1.html

Will show you the PCD, centre bore size, etc. and a little checking through it will also show which other wheels will fit.

[Joz]

You guys are great!

Tim and I have worked a great trade! I now have the rod needed to drop the pathetic spare. Now that I've had a good look at it I hope I can get through my trip this weekend without needing it. It would be safer to drive on a flat that that "spare". I picked up a jack from Halfords as well as a spanner for the wheel lugs. It all fits comfortably, although a little rattly, in the proper compartment. I'll just wrap it all in a shop rag to quiet it all down.

Anyone out there thinking their original doughnut spare is adequate, I'll take a photo of mine. I scrubbed all the dirt and crud off the rim only to find that the rust is the strongest part. That junky spare will be replaced by a proper full-size spare as soon as I get a chance.

Thanks for all the photos, tips and advice!

[timhum]

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the namecheck! Just a thought, I don't carry a spare because I have an LPG tank where the spare tyre used to be, hence not needing the rod etc.
I carry an aerosol of Tyreweld from Halfords. It is legal to do that instead of carrying a spare tyre and it sits in the glove compartment.
If you have any doubts concerns about the situation, you could try that solution as a standby get you home alternative.
Anyway, have a great trip and having made all the preparations, you probably won't need to use them.
Cheers,
Tim

[llitvack]

Hi folks.
Two quick questions about the toolkit:
1. What is the purpose of the two rectangular plates with holes drilled in the middle?
2. How do you raise the scissor jack? What do you use as a handle to turn the screw and raise the jack?

Cheers from Leon

[Bob]

The plates are collapsible chocks to stop Bongy moving when you lift him, I'm sure one end of the long bar fits the jack, than ratchet with the other end.

[Simon Jones]

The rectangular metal bits should be little wheel chocks. The jack is operated by a ratchet and the long rod used to remove the spare wheel. This rod should be clipped to the roof of the jack compartment in the sliding door step.

[Bob]

SNAP.