A little advice needed

shanesonja
shanesonja Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited April 2016 in Caravans #1

Hi guys, the O/S tyre on my caravan seems to be scrubbing on the outside a little, it dosn`t seem to effect the towing or anything but I was wondering if anyone has had the same problem and if so any recomendations you have. Thanks S&S

Comments

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
    1,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #2

    First thing I would do is jack up that side and check out the hub bearing for play.

  • shanesonja
    shanesonja Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited April 2016 #3

    Thanks for your prompt reply Dave, I done that and there was no play at all also checked for any play in the suspension arm,,,no movment there either. 

  • DougS
    DougS Forum Participant Posts: 327
    edited April 2016 #4

    Serious scrubbing of a tyre would imply misalignment of the suspension on that side?

    If the axle nut has been disturbed or not set correctly or severe impact then that may cause it?

    If it becomes a problem  meaning excessive tyre wear, then the axle may need to be inspected and adjusted by AL KO (?)

    Sounds expensive -has anything serious happened?

  • shanesonja
    shanesonja Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited April 2016 #5

    Hi Doug, nothing has hapened to it since I have owned it. Not sure about previous owners. Do you know if a "tow in" or "tow out" geometry is standard or if the alignment should run "true." Thanks S&S

  • markflip
    markflip Forum Participant Posts: 177
    edited April 2016 #6

    The wheel alignment is set by rotating the stub axle, which is secured to the suspension swing arm by a nut that is done up to tremendous torque supposedly sufficient to stop the stub axle turning and spoiling the geometry when the 'throw away' nut is undone
    during service (large torque required).  Alko specify that the stub axle position is marked before undoing the 'throw away' nut and if any movement occurs it has to be returned to AlKo to have the geometry set correctly.  I suspect that perhaps the stub axle
    has moved during a service and either went unnoticed, or was noticed and ignored to prevent the additional cost of realignment?   I don't know how long you have had the van, but has the scrubbing been apparent from day 1 (perhaps there was a reason the previous
    owners got rid?) or did it start after you had it serviced? (I'd take it back for them to sort out!).  Good luck with it and i hope it's not too expensive to remedy.

  • markflip
    markflip Forum Participant Posts: 177
    edited April 2016 #7

    From the Alko Workshop Manual:

    Standard factory toe-in setting 30' ± 10'

    Note:30 minutes of angle = 0.5 degrees

    link to  extract

    It might be possible to check whether the stub axle has become mis-aligned, if the marks are still visible  on the swing arm, it should be aligned like this:

    link to picture

  • shanesonja
    shanesonja Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited April 2016 #8

    Thanks Mark, great info i really appreciate your help.

  • Lyke Wake Man
    Lyke Wake Man Forum Participant Posts: 238
    edited May 2016 #9

    Have you had the caravan wheels ballenced, if it is badly out of ballence it could be hitting the frame, contery to some caravan centers saying youn dont have to ballence caravan wheels, you should have them ballenced