On my way to work on Friday morning, I stopped at the main gate barrier (high security MoD site), showed my pass to the MoD Plod on the gate, the barrier went up and I slowly drove over the speed bump. The bottom of the Bongo bus often touches down but I looked the first time it did it and it looked like the belly pan was touching down so no worries.
I drove slowly up the approach road at walking pace following all the other cars and thought the Bongo was making a different noise. I put it down to not having the radio on and having the windows open.
When I came to drive home, the Bongo was making a dreadfull noise and vibrating badly through the transmission. I pulled over and suck my head underneath to see if there was anything obvious. I was hoping for a plaggy bag around the prop or someting simple. But no.......


One smashed auto box.......

This is why I'm thinking seriously about including the air suspension off the Lincoln Mk VII that I'm using for a donor for the Locost.

you'd wanna claim for that

what car is it? doens't look like a locost and you mention bongo bus - some sort of people carrier?

[Edited on 10/7/06 by ned]

I think a Bongo is a Jap Import bus/MPV but could be wrong (can't be bothered to google it).

Mazda Bongo Friendee also made under the Ford name as a Freida. Have a look on here they might be able to help.

Yes. Yes. Yes!
The Bongo is a Jap imported MPV/camper thingy although mine is actually a Ford Freda.........not sure which is the daftest name?

It's been carted off on the back of a transporter for the insurance folks to have a look at.

Um Bongo. Er Freda....

It can be Tig welded back on.

possibly, but some of the alloys they use for gearbox housings can be a right beach to weld.

I feel a claim coming on....

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Originally posted by ned
possibly, but some of the alloys they use for gearbox housings can be a right beach to weld.

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Think Pinto injection manifolds are made of that Cr*p when you try and weld it just blows holes in it.

Although with enough patience they can be welded

I have several options.
At the moment it has been carted off on a wagon to be insurance inspected and they have left me a Punto.
If the garage can fix it and return it within three weeks when I need the Freda to go on holiday, then thats the job sorted. It will cost me £200 in insurance excess.
If they are unable to fix it in time, they have agreed to fit a second hand 'box if I can find one. I have found a couple for under £400.
If they cannot fit the 'box I supply in time, I'll have to get the vehicle back and try to weld up the box. If, upon closer inspection, the box is full of cr4p, then I'll be looking at getting the aforementioned 2nd hand box and fitting it myself.

Finally, the last conversation I had with the assessor guy tonight involved phrases such as 'beyond economical repair', 'settlement figure' and 'show me the money'. Then I'll buy the Freda back off the insurance folks and fix the thing myself.
It's all hassle I could do without. I need to sell my trailer but I can't tow it home from work to fit a new deck. I can't collect my steel for my new trailer and I have to drive a fekin Punto!!

Why are you claiming off your insurance? A speed bump that can scrape the gearbox of a van isn't (in the current govt term de'jour) fit for purpose.

I'd at least try to claim off the MoD.

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Originally posted by iank
Why are you claiming off your insurance? A speed bump that can scrape the gearbox of a van isn't (in the current govt term de'jour) fit for purpose.

I'd at least try to claim off the MoD.

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Isin't there a regulation maximum height for speed bumps?

I went to work in the 7 once and the customers speed bumps (at a posh health club) were too high to get the 7 over no-matter what the speed.

Ahem so I drove over the lawn

The Estate manager was giving me all this over the fact that they were the regulation height etc to which I pointed out the car had just passed its SVA test and was thus roadworthy!
So somebodys regulations or measurments were wrong

Apparently, despite several vans/minibuses getting damaged, the MoD insist that the speed bump IS correct. it has something to do with the length of the bump as well as the height. Most cars get all four wheels on it so they sort of drive up on to it and then drive off it! My Bongos front wheels drove up on to it and then drove off it and bellied the 'box out before the rear wheels got to it!
I have explained all this to the insurance company and it's up to them if they persue the MoD.

Sounds like they are just trying to fob you off. Losing your no-claims and excess over a badly designed speedbump doesn't sound very fair.

Is the ground clearance of your van is less than 100mm BTW?

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/19991025.htm

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(c) the highest point on it is not less than 25 millimetres nor more than 100 millimetres higher than an imaginary line parallel to the centre line of that carriageway connecting the surface of that carriageway on one side of the road hump to the surface of that carriageway on the other side of the road hump and passing vertically below that point; and,

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