Bongo Fury

I think the 2wd turning on full lock is great but I'm concerned about the 4wd I'm thing of buying. Other suvs that I've driven struggle on full lock when in 4wd mode. Does the bongo 4wd do this shuddering thing and if not why not? The suvs are nivara pickup and kia sportage bythe way both new.

Can't say I've ever noticed a problem with mine, although I probably wouldn't want to keep it spinning in circles
The reason the others do that and the bongo doesn't - they're cr rubbish vehicles

Yes, I may be more likely to get stuck in a muddy field in my 2WD, but its reassuring to know I can go round in smaller circles than a 4WD when I do get stuck

Like franco I havn't had aproblem either with my 4wd, but I think I know what you mean as I've been in a 4wd Kia where it scrambled and shuddered when 4wd was selected on road, but I believe that type of 4wd is for slippery ground only, not for normal road use, whereas I think Bongo type is primarily rear wheel drive until rear wheels slip then some drive is automatically taken up by front wheels, that may not be quite correct but an expert will soon be along to clarify.

I have mine on full lock every time I back into the drive (whether that's left or right depends on who has parked where on the street). No problems, but that is in reverse. Not aware that I have ever had any problems when in forward gear, but I don't think I've ever really needed to do it.

The four wheel drive is unlikely to be "doing its thing" anyway unless you are on a surface likely to cause it to kick in.

My 4wd does scrape the front wheels when turning very tight (hence the tyres wearing quicker on the outer edge) but done slowly and smoothly all is OK. Always the inside wheel fighting for grip so is most probally due to the front diff setup.

I get some tyre scrub when turning tight when the Bongo is cold, haven't really noticed a problem when everything is warmed up.

My 4WD is always smooth enough even when turning on full lock - no signs of tyre scrubbing either. Turning circle certainly seems much better than the work Mitsubishi L200, which is more akin to an oil tanker when it comes to trying to turn it round!

No problems with my 4wd shuddering but it does go quite tight and would not freewheel if it is on full lock.

splitpin wrote:Like franco I havn't had aproblem either with my 4wd, but I think I know what you mean as I've been in a 4wd Kia where it scrambled and shuddered when 4wd was selected on road, but I believe that type of 4wd is for slippery ground only, not for normal road use, whereas I think Bongo type is primarily rear wheel drive until rear wheels slip then some drive is automatically taken up by front wheels, that may not be quite correct but an expert will soon be along to clarify.

4 wheel drive Bongos are permenant full time 4 whell drive.

My 4 wheel drive Bongo does shudder on full lock especially at speed (tyre squeal) but I beleive it could be a problem with my Prop shoft bearing?

bongonaut-evv wrote:4 wheel drive Bongos are permenant full time 4 whell drive.

The primary drive is to the rear wheels, with the front propshaft connected via a viscous coupling. Providing that the front & rear tyres are the same circumference, the front & rear propshafts rotate at the same speed & there is no speed differential across the viscous coupling - hence no drive to the front wheels. If the rear wheels slip then the rear prop-shaft is turning faster than the front propshaft & the viscous coupling will lock up, transferring some of the drive to the front wheels. If the front & rear tyres are of different circumferences then there will be some degree of lock-up in the VC & the front wheels will then be permanently driven - but the VC will wear out faster!

Rhod wrote:

bongonaut-evv wrote:4 wheel drive Bongos are permenant full time 4 whell drive.

The primary drive is to the rear wheels, with the front propshaft connected via a viscous coupling. Providing that the front & rear tyres are the same circumference, the front & rear propshafts rotate at the same speed & there is no speed differential across the viscous coupling - hence no drive to the front wheels. If the rear wheels slip then the rear prop-shaft is turning faster than the front propshaft & the viscous coupling will lock up, transferring some of the drive to the front wheels. If the front & rear tyres are of different circumferences then there will be some degree of lock-up in the VC & the front wheels will then be permanently driven - but the VC will wear out faster!

Ditto above - any "scrabbling" on full lock Bongos will have worn viscous couplings

My Hiace has selectable 4WD without a centre diff or viscous coupling - and the tyres scrabble- badly on dry surfaces and should only be used in 4WD mode in mud or snow - it's a cheap way of doing it but when do you REALLY need 4WD on a utilitarian vehicle or a campervan? yep - low grip conditions!

My bongo's 4WD, and the only scrabbling i've ever heard is if one of the wheels was one a loose surface (bit of gravel or whatever) and tried to break traction when on lock.

Out of interest, what size tyres are people using ( 4wd )?
Same size front/rear or different?