Noise whilst towing... Help!!
hello all, i need some help, ive got a 2002 swift challanger 530se, its been fully serviced every year amd it has the most odd noise whilst towing, and even lowder when going around a corner, its a mix of grinding and squeaking and can only asume its wheel
based as when going very slowly it comes and goes as the wheels turn, its been checked by two different engineers who have inspected the brakes, hubs, bearings and said there all good with no play or binding, ive had all 4 pads changed in the hitch incase
it was them resonating through chassis, and yet still makes this noise.... Its slowly getting worse but doesnt tow badly, pull, sway or anything... Anyone have any other ideas??
it does have a mover fitted bit checked thats not catching when towing
Comments
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On my last outfit I never did solve the hitch noise problem.It's a very distinct sound and easily identified.
I would guess it is your problem also.
Find some spare ground/car park and get 'an observer' to sit in the open boot while you drive around slowly.....it's best if you are the observer!!!
That would rule the hitch in or out!
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You would expect noises caused by the hitch to be confined to when making a turn or when the caravan is pitching by going over uneven ground. Both causing movement of the pads around the tow ball. If the noise is present when travelling straight ahead and
on an even road it would suggest a wheel problem rather that the hitch.0 -
Had similar issues recently - have you cleaned the towball? Would suggest this is given clean and then another clean of the pads to remove all contamination.
Would echo advice about close obervation to check where noise is coming from. Do you have another car/caravan you could borrow briefly to determine if noise remains or moves.
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when you get to spare ground or carpark leave the stabilliser lever in the up postion make sure van is hitched properly then try as above post EJBs post please be carefull
I posted on the assumption that the OP is a normal sensible adult.
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when you get to spare ground or carpark leave the stabilliser lever in the up postion make sure van is hitched properly then try as above post EJBs post please be carefull
I posted on the assumption that the OP is a normal sensible adult.
Write your comments here...If it is the pads they would probably creak and groan even at walking speed. If the car park is empty drive a figure of eight and as oldebiker suggest try several times with the stabilizer handle up and then down. The results will be pretty conclusive.
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I towed our old caravan with an external stabiliser. I never heard anything at normal speed on the road but at slow speed on the campsite the noise was terrible, creaking and groaning. My bet would be friction in the hitch but the car park test sounds like
it would be conclusive.0 -
We used to tow our 2014 Affinity with an Insignia and never a squeak. Earlier this year we changed the tug to a 2015 Sorento with a new Kia tow bar fitted.
I cleaned the paint off the towball but every time we tow and go over uneven roads (A1 & M/ways) we hear loud bangs thuds from the rear.
And I do not speed.
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hi people thats for all the advice, i have access to a runway so will get wife to drive and i can hang out the boot and test, its happened tho on 3 different cars in 3 new cleaned towballs and brand new pads in the hitch
im concerned as the noise its loud!, only bits i havent changed is the mover, all suspension bushed and tryes...
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We have a similar problem with ours. When we are pulling off at lights roundabouts etc it's at its worse, but sounds like creaking and groaning, we have cleaned the tow ball and checked hitched properly. It is a worry as we have no idea why it is doing this
and asked when having it serviced and they don't know either!0 -
Mine has started creaking during low speed manouvres as well. Just turn the radio up a bit.
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The nearest I got to that was buying one of the manager's cars from the bank when i retired.
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To repeat what I've said elswhere, these things work on friction and a little creaking and groaning is neither unusual nor harmful. In my former life as a mechanic we used to cure squeaky disc brakes by smearing a little copper grease behind the pads (obviously
not on the friction surface). I wonder, if this is causing you so much concern, you could give this a try, but honestly, it's not a problem, take cyberyacht's advice and turn the radio up!0 -
Swift dealers also have a habit, because the service manual says to do it, of aligning the brake shoes to drag slightly when they are off, which if not enough pressure is applied will polish the shoe and make it squeaky. If there's no where on the shoes
then it could be the hitch, I've noticed my new Swift squeaks a lot more at low speed than my previous outfit despite the hitch etc all being the same type and model.0 -
good point, maybe just a little roughing up with a sheet of carbon paper will do it
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Although you state the caravan has had new friction pads fitted have they been adjusted correctly? the side friction pads are adjustable for grip by changing the shims under the friction pads and too tight is just as bad as to loose for noise Just a Thought
hope that helps, BTW travelling with someone in the boot to check noise is ok as long as you are running with the same weigh in the boot when towing, otherwise the hitch will be in a different position relative to the ball!!!0 -
sorry forgot link to adjustment ;-
http://www.swift-owners-club.com/support/alko-pads.html0 -
I tow our 2004 Lunar caravan with an Alko stabiliser fitted, & it does the same. Creaks on anything but the smoothest road. Advice from dealers sevice depts is it's friction between the dry ball & the pads. The stabiliser is doing its job !
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You would be far better starting a new thread. However, even if heating, fridge, lights etc are off the radio tends to draw a little power from the battery as does any alarm or tracker but, more to the point, the battery charger is probably running
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