Squealing When Braking

Freddy55
Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810 ✭
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edited July 2019 in Caravans #1

Hiya folks.

I seem to have developed a squeak when braking. I checked the wheels for heat, and noticed that the offside is slightly warmer than the near side, but only slightly. Something to be concerned about I assume? Back to the dealer? And yes, I tried a search 😉

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  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2019 #2

    If iti s a fairly new caravan on an alko chassis, then there is a known problem with the brakes it is a dealer rectified fault with the brake shoes 

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810 ✭
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    edited July 2019 #3

    Yes, new van on Alko. Thanks 👍

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810 ✭
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    edited July 2019 #4

    Out of interest, does it involve fitment of new shoes?

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #5

    We have a 1 year old Coachman on an Alko chassis and the brakes have squealed since new. Reported to the dealer who did the recommended fix advised by Alko.

    It lasted all of 500 miles then they started again. It is now going in to the dealer for its first service and to have the brakes replaced under warranty, we hope. I say we hope as the dealer said it was a warranty job but Alko are no being a bit iffy about it. Wanting chassis number etc.  I have read somewhere that Alko changed suppliers but have now gone back to original supplier, how true that is I couldn't say. 

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810 ✭
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    edited July 2019 #6

    A useful post TG, thanks 👍

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited July 2019 #7

    If the drums are scored which they probably are you will need shoes and drums. If no scoring just shoes.

    From about mid2017 alko sourced shoes with dodgy friction material, they tried unsuccessfully to get the manufacturer to sort it but I believe they have reverted to the original manufacturer since about March 2019.

    I've had issues since last year now sorted after 3 tries!

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810 ✭
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    edited July 2019 #8

    I bought ours around six weeks ago, so quite possible it pre-dates March 2019. 

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #9

    Thanks for that, useful information. I'm guessing that's why Alko have asked for the chassis number and date which you can see on the chassis plate. Our chassis has the date 26th July 2017. 

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited July 2019 #10

    Thanks TG - that explains a lot- my brand new Coachman on an Alko chassis has a brake squeal- something I’ve never had before. It’s not the car- that has been cleared. Back to the dealer then? 

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited July 2019 #11

    It won't be the chassis number required but the axle number. took mine to dealers 2 months ago and they had to send picture of axle plate and now there are full set of shoes ready to go on when they can fit me in. twin axle swift.

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited July 2019 #12

    I would suggest the dealer also take pics of your drums, my original ones were badly scored. They were replaced foc. 

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited July 2019 #13

    don't know how bad they would be after less than 500 miles.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2019 #14

    Our friends have a coachman that was bought last year and had squealing brakes,and it needed new drums as well as shoes replaced

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810 ✭
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    edited July 2019 #15

    I notice there’s another thread regarding the same issue, but I thought I’d update this one, since I started it. 

    So, got in touch with the dealer (service dept) and it’s booked in for next Wednesday for them to have a look and take pictures for any warranty claim. They weren’t in the least surprised when I informed them of the issue. So, that’s an hour traveling each way, and I’ll have to do it all again for the work to be done...sometime.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited July 2019 #16

    Squealing when braking. Sounds like Daniel (king of the late brakers) Riccardo is the driver. wink

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #17

    My coachman brakes squeal and even after I release the car brakes the squeal continues for a couple of seconds. Will call the dealer tomorrow

     

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #18

    Spoke to our dealer today as getting a bit concerned that they would have the parts in time, read on another site that they are in short supply (I wonder why) innocentsealed

    Dealer checked then called back to say they are 'in delivery' and should be with them by Friday this week. Hope so as the van goes in Monday morning for a service and replacement brakes. 

    We decided that this time we would book a CL near to the dealers (its a 90 miles each way drive) and spend the night before and night of the service there. Really don't like letting CL owners down so the parts had better be in. 

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #19

    Spoke to dealer today and they are aware of the problem and will call us in for the fix in a fortnight

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited July 2019 #20

    mine were badly scored after only 650 miles from new, the next set lasted 200 miles the shoes replaced again at 150 miles. The amounts of dust generated at these low mileage was unbelievable. The current set are ok so far at 350 miles alko have gone back to the original supplier. Yes 4 repairs in under a year, brakes were fine until a new axle was fitted with latest spec brakes then chaos from cheap shoes!

  • MaxHeadroom
    MaxHeadroom Forum Participant Posts: 110
    edited July 2019 #21

    Hi all, I've had exactly the same problem with my Swift caravan from new two years ago. The dealership said it wasn't their warranty issue and I should speak to Swift. Swift looked at the pictures my service engineer took and said I'd have to claim from Alko.

    Long story short, it took 6 months and 3 visits to get the new brakes (drums and pads) sorted out with a local dealership before all was quiet in the world once again smile

    .... until a couple of trips later and now they are back to their old ways again cry What a complete waste of time.

    Everybody knows when we're out with our caravan. Very noisy and embarrassing.

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810 ✭
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    edited July 2019 #22

    Ok, so I dropped the van down to the dealer and it’s confirmed that I’m going to need new drums and shoes. Pretty sure it hasn’t covered 500 miles yet. I’ve been assured that the replacements will be ok, we’ll see...

  • Nogger1
    Nogger1 Forum Participant Posts: 16
    edited July 2019 #23

    I have a coachman Wanderer lux 19/4TB bought new in June 2016 ,,

    my squeaking brakes have been back to the dealer at least twice every year from new for squeaking ,yesterday the 24th July I had to take my van in for new linings fitted ,took about 1hour 15mins fitting ,on returning home ,travelled aprox 5miles and the squeakings back ,got back to storage felt the wheels and I could have Fried an egg on them no chance of putting my hand on to check ,

    rang wanderhome to explain my situ “AGAIN” answer I received 

    “theirs only me complained ,I will get some one to ring you ,”still waiting”

    the point is ,! Is my van safe to travel ! ,I have my dowts and with sites booked it’s annoying,

  • Nogger1
    Nogger1 Forum Participant Posts: 16
    edited July 2019 #24

    Hope you have better luck than me Tammygirl

     ,I had to wait a month for the linings and now fitted their worse than ever 

  • Nogger1
    Nogger1 Forum Participant Posts: 16
    edited July 2019 #25

    Surely Alko has to be accountable if anything bad happens with this break issue 

  • derekcyril
    derekcyril Forum Participant Posts: 408
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    edited July 2019 #26

    There is only two things it can be badly adjusted brakes ( knock it down one notch ) or drum is not round .

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810 ✭
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    edited July 2019 #27

    Well, that’s a turn-up. Got a call from the dealer to say the van is ready to pick up. Just two days! Too good to be true, maybe.

  • beverley12
    beverley12 Forum Participant Posts: 87
    edited July 2019 #28

    We have just taken our Coachman VIP back to dealer re squeaking brakes - well actually more like screeching! This is second time. This time they said ALKO problem and have put in for replacement brake shoes. 

    So 80 mile trip round which will then have to be repeated for pads/shoes to be fitted! 

    We also have problem with the fridge I will make separate comment on that! 

  • Oscarmax
    Oscarmax Club Member Posts: 257 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #29

    Our 2016 Swift Conqueror 480 is suffering from the AL-Ko brake squeal, following our 3rd year service the engineer has found severe scoring to the offside drum and brake shoes, nearside drum serviceable, engineer advised contacting dealer regarding a warranty claim.

    Contacted dealer and forwarded photographs of the brake shoes and drums, dealer has also requested photograph of AL-KO axle identification plate.

    Phoned dealer today AL-KO have accepted the warranty claim, however at present there are no brake shoes in the country, AL-KO are closing down at 13.00 for 2 weeks.

    I am under the understanding AL-KO have changed the design of the brake drum fitted to my particular caravan as well as modified brake shoes, lets see what happens.

  • montesa
    montesa Forum Participant Posts: 168
    edited July 2019 #30

    For what its worth ....

    This very subject is covered on 'Caravan Talk Forum' in some depth.

    An Alko Service Bulletin was issued in 2018.

    Our Caravan, with 2017 /18 Alko axle, has already had the Bulletin full fix with the new amended Alko parts - has now failed again (500 miles).

    Returning 13/8/19 4th time - no out of pocket expenses again.

  • montesa
    montesa Forum Participant Posts: 168
    edited July 2019 #31

    For what its worth (again) ....

    Seems also that Alko have now supplied my Dealer with another set of Drums & Shoes & superlube & diagrams for the repeat super repair in readiness.

    Dealer confirms all new parts though are same as the ones that failed ! 

    Dealer says he is un-happy to just re-fit parts which have failed.

    Have sent them deep and meaningful email.

    The Oscarmax post above hopefully suggests 'out of stock' maybe means a new modified updated supply due soon. 

    Enjoy !

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