Bongo Fury

Took the Bongo to have the tyres looked at today as part of the ongoing maintenance I'm undertaking I thought the tyres may be punctured or have faulty valves, both the front tyres tend to deflate over a couple of weeks or so. But, It's worse than that, it's the alloy rims they have corroded on the inside edge not sealing with the tyres, the liberal application of some leak detector revealed very tiny bubbles and when the tyres were removed a few sections of the rims were powdered, now have to book in to have the rims redone, perhaps you have noticed this on your own Bongo if so here is a heads up, these are factory fitted originals by the way

Sparky

Sadly not uncommon with alloys

It's a common problem with alloys. I've stuck a wee splash of JRA wheelmilk in mine

I've had this just the once during my driving career with a brand new set of alloys i bought... One of the tyres was repeatedly flat the following day.

One tyre guy eventually (after failing to find any puncture) Pumped the tyre to over 100PSI Dipped the wheel in water, and spotted a tiny leak coming from the wheel itself! (about halfway up one of the spokes) Thankfully the wheel was replaced under warranty as the wheels/tyres were new.

I've had this on one of my cars, not on bongo, took it to a tyre fitting place who tried to fix it but with no success, the leak was very slow so decided just to put upwith topping air up every 10 days or so, but after awhile I put some of the sealant in for fixing punctures, that stopped the leak and I had no more bother with it. Lasted a few years until I traded car in.

have you tried putting an egg in it ? or is that the radiator

I tried that with mine... it didn't work though i'm afraid, the egg wouldn't fit in the valve Next time i'll try removing the shell.

Hi All well further to my quest to get leak proof wheel rims I've decided to replace for new alloys arn't they a price? Ive got 215/65 R15 all round and as they are good tyres was hoping to stick with'em and I don't fancy all the hassles of wrong speedo readings etc, has any blingers out there got any tips on who's best to but from?.

Sparky

BTW looking at Wheelbase at the mo' they are in Oldham

http://www.wheelquick.co.uk/

I was expecting you but not that fast I'll check it out now I've been told I can go to 225/50r17 and not affect the speedo reading how does that sound to you?

Sparky

sparkymik wrote:I was expecting you but not that fast I'll check it out now I've been told I can go to 225/50r17 and not affect the speedo reading how does that sound to you?

Sparky

No idea, I'm running standard sized 15" alloy rims. But speak to Mike at Wheelquick, they know Bongos inside out and will know what fits and what doesn't.

Well just got some Fox FX1's £290 delivered £72-50 a corner and they are here tomorrow sadly the ones I have are not holding up anymore so in a big hurry and Mike could'nt help me out in the time I have. Wicked Wheels wanted that much to refurb' the old ones and it would've taken ages 'cos they collect and take away a pair at a time sticking with the 215/15s would've liked 18's but the job rocketed up to £700 (with new tyres)and as I have just been made redundent it's not an option cheers for all the help guys I'll put a piccie up when fitted

Sparky

Had the new Fox Alloys FX1's fitted and ballanced today, it was murder had to wait a day, came with new valves and wheel nuts, they are amazingly light even with tyres on when compared with the old original alloys, they look great just need to get the tyre soap off them, I will put a pic up later

Sparky

Here are the new alloys very light and a lot simpler to wash

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae13 ... C01533.jpg


and the Bongo side view

http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae13 ... C01532.jpg

the old alloys are on e-bay but not suprisingly are not sparking much interest I need shut of 'em they are taking up space

Sparky

I always run a mile away from anything on sale with alloys.

I've had leaks as described, and wheels that fall in love with hubs and refuse to separate. Alloys are easy to write off after kerbing (source: friends with wives) and generally less forgiving.

I can fool most people who don't look too carefully that the wheels are alloys simply and cheaply by choosing the right trims.

Best of all, there are usually steel wheels up for grabs when people who do want alloys upgrade, assuming they don't take the steel ones to the tip.

No problem trying to get the correct valves, either.

I realise that I'm probably in a minority and no offence to alloy lovers, but been there, done that and happy to stay with steel.


Frank