Alko Axle Problems
Comments
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Have a search for other threads on the ALKO axle issues, they make interesting reading.
Its unfortunate that no one will accept any liability and many owners have had to pay for repairs for what appears to be a design and possibly manufacturing fault.
There are possibly safety issues and the fact that many used vans for sale may have failed axles which cause a lean, its more likely its been corrected on Bailey vans due to the reduced wheel arch clearance but other makes need measurement's checking ideally prior to purchase.
I tried to motivate the clubs technical department to compile a database on failed axles but the reply was that there were insufficient numbers of members with this problem.
Search for ALKO axle issues for more info on this site.
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I tried to motivate the clubs technical department to compile a database on failed axles but the reply was that there were insufficient numbers of members with this problem.
I have registered my axle failure with the technical department.They are compiling a database.
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Dear Fozzie and other "victims" of axle failure.
I started this discussion in 2016 and have been following the thread since then
Well done getting the club interested in this problem
Could you please give us the name and contact details of the person compiling the data base?
Thanks
Georgevan
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GV I first contacted the Club's legal helpline and spoke in length about my options.The woman from the legal helpline mentioned the Club were compiling a list of axle failures so I rang the technical dept.
They rang me back with the line "I hear you have an axle failure on your Bailey",when I said you are partly right and I said no mine is a Coachman the lady replied ""Well I will still add to to the list."
I did not get the woman's name.
My personal feelings in all of this that is seems to be the long fixed bed type van's which suffer from this.The Vigo, Valencia ect mine is a Pastiche 575 all have the long overhang behind the wheels to end of van,I do not believe that the suspension can take all the boomphing and bounce it gets when towing.Especially over speed ramps and the table top type speed ramps.
If it was loading why do two berths not suffer.
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I have a 2016 Pastiche 575, tell me more please.
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Welly and Mac
It went in for its annual service,we had used it the previous week beforehand,unfortunately I had not emptied everything out of the van and it was found to be 12kg overweight,I has not removed bedding or anything like chairs cutlery but no clothing or food.
When I was called to see the "relaxed axle" you can see the suspension rubber had squashed out rather like a carbuncle,being a Coachman these vans have a higher inner wheel arch so no rubbing was visible.
Axle ordered and fitted within time given.I have exactly the same 1550kg rated axle fitted but instead of being round it has a flat top angled sides and a smaller flat bottom,so it looks a different design.
I have also posted recently (under the Caravans section)the very small pay allowance left after this axle had been fitted.Nearly everything goes in the car now.Note though I do have a MM fitted.
If you do need any more info let me know
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That's interesting Fozzie, we have just brought a VIP 530 and the plated Mtplm is 1545Kg so if the axle is 1550Kg doesn't leave very much margin of error. The other day after a short trip I weighed the van and it was 1500Kg so a tiny bit to play with on longer holidays
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Thanks Fozzie 👍.
I had and still do weight issues regarding MTPLM, my axle is under its plated weight, last weighed on an axle weigh pad at 1510kg, but add in the nose weight of 80kg and that's 1590kg MTPLM. Current estimated MTPLM 1550 to 1560 kg
I have the weight plate upgrade, making my MTPLM 1550kg, still rubbish.
Since we weighed it bought a new awning which travels in the car, before caravan. New awning furniture, again in the car replacing the old which again went in the caravan and threw away loads of collected, well junk.
So I'm sure its lighter, but I dont know by how much, need a trip to the weigher. Getting the nose weight was a bugger, going to have to check again before we leave this site.
When I first took delivery I removed the carpets, spare wheel and carrier just to save weight, my next wheeze is when I replace the battery, cant be long now it's over 6 years old going for a 85 amp hour, saving 7kg over the 110amp.
But I'm confused over an axle failure due to weight, how much load baring do corner steady's have? Presumably in habitation mode the axle is well above?
Looking at how little kit we have stored in the caravan to stay within limits, the majority of folk must travel with overloaded everything, especially my pet hate, cycle carriers. Swift really!
Years back a thread was about Alko and a sloping axle, turned out Alko had put the rubbers in the wrong way round.
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How did you weigh the van?
Put the entire thing on a weigh bridge or drive over an axle pad then add in nose weight or not?
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Ok thanks.
So the 1500kg is distributed between axle and jockey wheel (nose weight).
Just gives a better idea as to how much of the load your axle is carrying. It could be around 1430kg actual, well within design.
Where as mine is within but not by as much.
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W and M
The axle was weigh on a reich axle weight scales pad,the print out shows the noseweight as correct.
I have no idea if you minus the noseweight off of the axle
.I would not of thought static weight effecting axle failures as corner steadies will share the load
And yes I am surprised at the lack of items we carry in the van now,gone are the days when you could load it for a two weeks holiday.I just wonder if MOT's were bought in how may more van's would have axle issues discovered.
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Hi
To all those people with Bailey Unicorn Vigo axle problems.
Dont bother to try and get your problems resolved by Bailey, the company should not be in existence.
How a company as big as this can get away with in building such a critical mechanical fault, that will fail within a very short number of years.
We have purchased a Bailey Unicorn Vigo last August 2018, we purchased it from Abercaveny Caravans Dingestow Monmouth, we had only towed the new van to us about eight miles where we have sited it, when we found we had the suspension problem. When we contacted Abercaveny Caravans and explained the problem, there was no problem in getting it sorted, and we are sure Abercaveny Caravans didn’t know about the problem, we had a chat, and we came to the agreement that they would pay for the refurbishment of the axle, and I would remove the axle and replace, I am a qualified mechanic so it was not a problem.
What a difference dealing with a small established company, that went the extra mile, and has kept a customer for life, thank you Abercaveny Caravans for all you have done, would have no problem in recommending this company.
The axle was sent to Scotland, Fraser Brown, who I would strongly recommend, it was returned in under a week, and refurbished to a higher spec. We will have no problem in the future.
If anyone has this problem out there, phone Fraser in Scotland and have a chat, he is very helpful, and will give you help and guidance.
If anyone needs the transporting pallet I have one. Give me a call 07986157779.
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I fully understand your anger and frustration, I have been through this myself with a 2015 Bailey with the addition of roof leaks and brake issues. There should have been a recall on safety grounds after all if your car had the tyres wearing the wheel arches caused through collapsed suspension it would fail the MOT. I suspect a cover up as no club or organisation such as DVSA has done any to publicise this problem. All Bailey dealers are aware and many customers have received goodwill a fixaxles.Getting is great but these faults should not happen in the first place.
Please email CAMC technical department and report bthe axle failure to the DVSAas many have, maybe eventually a recall will happen
Incidentally what year is your Vigo,this problem peaked in 2015/16 I have been compiling stats in the hope of getting a recall.
Just to note that there is a difference between a refurbished axle and an Alko replacement.
Refurbished have firmer suspension this gains ride height.
Replacement have softer suspension but the axle is set lower in the chassis to gain ride height.
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Can't say I would do the same having given a dealer £1000's of my money. Bet they love you supplying the free labor and freeing up their workshop space whilst the axle was away.
It would have been towed straight back to them insisting it was dealt with straight away with a request to call me when its ready to collect.
Hope that's the last of your problems with it
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