Bongo Fury

Took Bongo to Lakeside in Staines recently due to her lacking power, especially when cold.

They said the rear diff was very stiff and hard to turn and that it needs replacing. Unfortunately they said they can't replace it as they wouldn't be able to source the part. They also said that once it was done, they may then find similar issues in the transfer box. All-in-all not a good day for us.

Could anyone recommend a garage that would be able to do this work? The van is still under warranty so preferably one that does warranty work (Lakeside said that they didn't), and finally as near to Godalming (South-East) as possible.

They sure it is the diff?
4WD is gonna be very hard to turn by hand.
Might it be worth getting a second opinion on that?
Are Lakeside Bongo peeps?

It may have a Limited Slip Diff fitted, which, as said, could be difficult to turn by hand, impossible if the opposite wheel is on the ground.

Allan's, Plymouth, can certainly do this.

When you say 'Under Warranty' it would be up to the seller/person undrewriting the warranty to authorise another garage to do the work. Could they do the job themselves?

If you have got mechanical problems, Discount Trucks at Newbury will be closer. Isn't there a Bongo specialist Brighton way, maybe somebody will chip in?
However any competent independent could do this job, if they want to that is.
A new diff will be expensive so you will probably be looking to source a used replacement. A Bongo specialist garage would certainly do this for you, other mechanics might hesitate.
It shouldn't take very much work to isolate the problem and as already said, a second opinion is definitely worthwhile regarding the problem affecting both the diff and transfer box.

Presumably either the importer or the garage your bought from offered this warranty. I guess you are following their guidance for getting the repair done?

There are these folk near Gatwick http://mazdabongo.com/servicing/ or I heard of these http://www.fields-carcentre.co.uk/car-s ... /bongo-all

and an indie in Guildford called Autologik who aren't Bongo people, but whilst MOT'ing my car mentioned they'd done Bongo's in the past. Gareth's the owner and has always looked after the car well.

Thanks for all the advice and recommendations folks - much appreciated, and plenty for us to go on there. We'll definitely be getting a second opinion, and calling around some of the closer garages.

Just to clarify, Lakeside do deal with Bongos a fair bit, but perhaps not as much as they used to. When I spoke to them about the warranty, they said that they no longer took on warranty work, as they found they were spending too much time talking to warranty companies on the phone having to clarify every tiny detail of the work.

The Bongo (with it's warranty) was originally from Ian Taylor, but he's up in Stoke so we'd like to explore options closer to home before heading up there in a Bongo that may have a dodgy diff.

TheHillsAreCalling wrote:Took Bongo to Lakeside in Staines recently due to her lacking power, especially when cold.

They said the rear diff was very stiff and hard to turn and that it needs replacing. Unfortunately they said they can't replace it as they wouldn't be able to source the part. They also said that once it was done, they may then find similar issues in the transfer box. All-in-all not a good day for us.

Could anyone recommend a garage that would be able to do this work? The van is still under warranty so preferably one that does warranty work (Lakeside said that they didn't), and finally as near to Godalming (South-East) as possible.

Did you get a full years warranty? with the vehicle.

Good Luck.

Does the warranty company have a list of places that will do their work?

I'd contact Ian.

He may have a contact near you, or may be able to give some advice on the next step.

TheHillsAreCalling wrote:Thanks for all the advice and recommendations folks - much appreciated, and plenty for us to go on there. We'll definitely be getting a second opinion, and calling around some of the closer garages.

Just to clarify, Lakeside do deal with Bongos a fair bit, but perhaps not as much as they used to. When I spoke to them about the warranty, they said that they no longer took on warranty work, as they found they were spending too much time talking to warranty companies on the phone having to clarify every tiny detail of the work.

The Bongo (with it's warranty) was originally from Ian Taylor, but he's up in Stoke so we'd like to explore options closer to home before heading up there in a Bongo that may have a dodgy diff.

I cannot say I blame them warranty companies are a pain in bum. They expect you to know exactly whats wrong and how much its going to cost and they wont pay for any investigatory work to find out. We take the view that the customer pays us and then claims it back, if they cough up. At least that way the customer is sure of who it is that is stitching them up.
I had a ford Granada in once with a failed water pump and they would only cover book time labour and the pump, the gaskets studs and even the anti freeze and sundries were down to the customer to contribute.
Anyone who has done one these will know that invariably studs sheer and need drilling out and re threading. Book time is about 1.50 real time is closer to 4.50 hrs.

Bongolia wrote:

TheHillsAreCalling wrote:Thanks for all the advice and recommendations folks - much appreciated, and plenty for us to go on there. We'll definitely be getting a second opinion, and calling around some of the closer garages.

Just to clarify, Lakeside do deal with Bongos a fair bit, but perhaps not as much as they used to. When I spoke to them about the warranty, they said that they no longer took on warranty work, as they found they were spending too much time talking to warranty companies on the phone having to clarify every tiny detail of the work.

The Bongo (with it's warranty) was originally from Ian Taylor, but he's up in Stoke so we'd like to explore options closer to home before heading up there in a Bongo that may have a dodgy diff.

I cannot say I blame them warranty companies are a pain in bum. They expect you to know exactly whats wrong and how much its going to cost and they wont pay for any investigatory work to find out. We take the view that the customer pays us and then claims it back, if they cough up. At least that way the customer is sure of who it is that is stitching them up.
I had a ford Granada in once with a failed water pump and they would only cover book time labour and the pump, the gaskets studs and even the anti freeze and sundries were down to the customer to contribute.
Anyone who has done one these will know that invariably studs sheer and need drilling out and re threading. Book time is about 1.50 real time is closer to 4.50 hrs.

And the Book Time is usually taken from new vehicles UG.

rita wrote:

TheHillsAreCalling wrote:Took Bongo to Lakeside in Staines recently due to her lacking power, especially when cold.

They said the rear diff was very stiff and hard to turn and that it needs replacing. Unfortunately they said they can't replace it as they wouldn't be able to source the part. They also said that once it was done, they may then find similar issues in the transfer box. All-in-all not a good day for us.

Could anyone recommend a garage that would be able to do this work? The van is still under warranty so preferably one that does warranty work (Lakeside said that they didn't), and finally as near to Godalming (South-East) as possible.

Did you get a full years warranty? with the vehicle.

Good Luck.

Yes! The previous owner got a three-year warranty from Ian Taylor, and there was still a fair bit left when he sold it on to us.

cmm303 wrote:Does the warranty company have a list of places that will do their work?

I called them about that, and believe it or not they said the only place they say are actually pre-approved are Halfords auto centres! Not particularly useful.

Bob wrote:I'd contact Ian.

He may have a contact near you, or may be able to give some advice on the next step.

We did try to get hold of Ian, and left a message a couple of days ago but he hasn't got back to us yet. Sounds like he's a pretty busy guy, but we'll try again today.

Bongolia wrote:I cannot say I blame them warranty companies are a pain in bum. They expect you to know exactly whats wrong and how much its going to cost and they wont pay for any investigatory work to find out. We take the view that the customer pays us and then claims it back, if they cough up. At least that way the customer is sure of who it is that is stitching them up.
I had a ford Granada in once with a failed water pump and they would only cover book time labour and the pump, the gaskets studs and even the anti freeze and sundries were down to the customer to contribute.
Anyone who has done one these will know that invariably studs sheer and need drilling out and re threading. Book time is about 1.50 real time is closer to 4.50 hrs.

Sounds pretty typical for warranty companies - happy to take your money and make a load of big promises, but when it comes down to it the small print means you get much less than you expected.