Caravan suspension

clarinetman
clarinetman Club Member Posts: 265 ✭✭✭
edited May 2018 in Caravans #1

hi noticed the other day that the gap between my tyre and the underside of the wheel arch is just enough for my finger to go is this right or has the suspension failed?

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2018 #2

    Do you actually mean the wheel arch immediately above the tyre and not the wheel trim outside the tyre?

  • clarinetman
    clarinetman Club Member Posts: 265 ✭✭✭
    edited May 2018 #3

    The wheel arch immediately above the wheel

     

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2018 #4

    is it a bailey as they seem to be having a lot of problem with suspension collapsing. how old is the van and is it under warranty, they may even suggest that you have overloaded the van.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2018 #5

    Some Bailey and Swift models on Alko chassis have had a problem with faulty alko axles

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited May 2018 #6

    My clearance was 16-18mm and diagnosed by a caravan engineer and an alko engineer as a problem, the caravan manufacturer claims overloading is the cause but this is not the case. I have a new axle being fitted.

    Check to see if the tyre has abraded the wheel arch liner, if it has it will soon wear through compounding your problems with water ingress.

    You need to go to a weighbridge and check you are under MTPLM then to your dealer.

    The actual tyre/arch clearance depends on the brand of caravan.

     

     

     

     

  • clarinetman
    clarinetman Club Member Posts: 265 ✭✭✭
    edited May 2018 #7

    Hi thanks for replies the gap measures 20 mm and there is no marks on the wheel arch liner going to a dealership tomorrow, not the one I bought this Elddis Afinity from and will put my hand up a few wheel arches but think things are ok just was surprised how close it seemed, will go to local weigh bridge also to see where I am load wise will update later thanks again.

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited May 2018 #8

    Another check is to take a look at the suspension swing arm, on a lightly loaded van the arm should be lower than horizontal. Loaded approx horizontal. If it Is higher than horizontal and stays higher with and without loading you are likely to have an axle problem.

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