Wheel bearings

Johnc 26
Johnc 26 Forum Participant Posts: 49
edited September 2016 in Caravans #1

I have my caravan in for it's annual service, and have just been informed that it is losing grease from the bearings and they need to be replaced. As it is only 2 years old I was puzzled, as I have not noticed and excess grease on or around the wheel area or
on the driveway. Has anyone had this experience before. The van is 2014 Swift Challenger 564 Sport. Any info or advice appreciated.

John C

Comments

  • jeffcc
    jeffcc Forum Participant Posts: 430
    edited September 2016 #2

    If the bearings are starting to leak it has probably only become apparent when the hubs have been removed for brake servicing. If they are leaking at 2 yrs old i would simply be telling them to replace under warranty as this is not acceptable wear and tear
    at 2 yrs old. Given the low mileage the unit is likely to have covered.

  • jeffcc
    jeffcc Forum Participant Posts: 430
    edited September 2016 #3

    See here for clarification:- 
    https://www.swiftgroup.co.uk/owners/warranty/caravans-2012-2016

  • Johnc 26
    Johnc 26 Forum Participant Posts: 49
    edited September 2016 #4

    Thanks for your replies. I rang Swift and they said that a 3 year waranty would take care of the cost, I then rang the dealership, who were not convinced, and told them to ring Swift and go through the warranty procedure, as advised. Have not had a reply
    as yet, but will rethink going there for future servicing next year.

    John C

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
    1000 Comments 250 Likes Photogenic
    edited September 2016 #5

    Thanks for your replies. I rang Swift and they said that a 3 year waranty would take care of the cost, I then rang the dealership, who were not convinced, and told them to ring Swift and go through the warranty procedure, as advised. Have not had a reply
    as yet, but will rethink going there for future servicing next year.

    John C

    You can use any NCC approved workshop for servicing but they may not want to do the warranty work which means you may then have to take it to the selling dealers if a problem is found.

  • Greygit
    Greygit Forum Participant Posts: 167
    edited September 2016 #6

    It could be that the dealer is reluctant to do the work under warranty as Swift may want the "faulty bearing" sent back to them to verify it is in fact faulty

  • Greygit
    Greygit Forum Participant Posts: 167
    edited September 2016 #7

    Oddly enough paid for the service on our Swift Challenger yesterday and the wheel bearings were priced as £7.50, I thought that was very cheap.

  • Greygit
    Greygit Forum Participant Posts: 167
    edited September 2016 #8

    As you were, I only glanced at the bill when I paid it and saw Alko Bearings but was Alko bearing nuts not bearings, so £7.20 +VAT seams a little on the steep side for nuts but what can you do?

  • tobythedog
    tobythedog Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited September 2016 #9

    Hi John C.

      This has got me scratching my head.

    There's really only 2 reasons why a bearing,assuming its a sealed roller,would loose grease.

    Firstly if it was overpacked on manufacture.Virtually impossible.

    Secondly if it was overheating causing the grease to liquify and run past the seal.Overheating could be due to the brakes binding or the bearing being badly fitted causing massive wear and friction.The service centre would report it as bearing play not grease
    loss.

    If there is no play then the bearing seal can be prised off and topped up with grease if needed.

    On the Alko hubs i have seen the brake linings can be inspected externally. The charge for the nuts is because they are one time use only when the brake drum is removed.

    You won't get a quality rubber sealed bearing from a European or Japanese manufacturer through a dealer for £7.50 !

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #10

    I've never quite worked out why the nuts are 'one-time use'. Seems either terribly wasteful or rubbish manufacture.

  • martindf3
    martindf3 Forum Participant Posts: 65
    edited September 2016 #11

    I've never quite worked out why the nuts are 'one-time use'. Seems either terribly wasteful or rubbish manufacture.

    Write your comments here...The top of the nut is slightly deformed so as its tightend it reaches the deformed bit and it effectivly has to be forced on when it is unscrewed its no longer deformed and it could slacken off . Same priciple as Ny-loc nuts which
    again are not supposed to be used again . Castallated nuts dont give an infinite range of torque setting .You can get nuts and bolt impregnated with loctite as well .   

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #12

     ..... Castallated nuts dont give an infinite range of torque setting . ... .   

    You'd need NASA to tell the difference in torque between one slot & the next Wink

  • Rayrowe35
    Rayrowe35 Forum Participant Posts: 112
    edited January 2017 #13

    Alko hubs are factory fit only. It is unlikely that any caravan workshop can carry out this work. I also doubt that these bearings were leaking. Go elsewhere!

  • Landlubber
    Landlubber Forum Participant Posts: 65
    edited January 2017 #14

    Hi 

    I have tested these one time nuts and yes they do have a a skewed thread to effectively lock the thread. However, I disregarded this absurd waste of  money and would challenge ALKO  or any other competent engineering company to explain. I use a thread locking substance made by Locktite and I have more difficulty removing the nuts than the original skewed thread idea. I have used this method on the most intense nut and bolt fastening systems in engines and on commercial vehicles where you really do not want nuts to come loose for years and never ever had a problem.  The concept of using sealed BALL bearings is utterly irresponsible.  Here is why:- they are cheap to make and ball bearings cannot be adjusted and are very poor at side loading - where wheel bearings should be taper roller bearings to offer much more resistance to side loading and wear.  Further when a ball bearing wears even just a tiny amount it allows the seals to flex then leak grease. Not only this but the fact that this movement allows the drums to vibrate when the brakes are applied making the shoes squeal - no rubber grease can stop this. When they used to be taper rollers simply adjusting the holding nuts is all that takes to stop the squeal.    Of course they used to fastened with a castellated nut and pin.

    John Wilson 

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