CARAVAN WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Submitted: Monday, Sep 01, 2014 at 18:52
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Member - Broodie H3
good evening fellow travellers, this query will amuse the people that Know something about caravan wheel alignment, because quite frankly I know nothing about it. the problem you see is I have my right front wheel on the van is wearing on the inside and it is now noticeable on the new tyres and the back left is also wearing on the inside , me I would have thought bent axle or buggered inside wheel bearings, and after investigation neither is correct so no medal for me the caravan
suspension is a simplicity system, so would anybody be able to enlighten me on this small problem, because at this rate I shall be up for two new tyres in the very near future. thank you for your input and knowledge.
Reply By: Nev (TAS) - Monday, Sep 01, 2014 at 19:48
Reply By: Ross M - Monday, Sep 01, 2014 at 20:43
Monday, Sep 01, 2014 at 20:43
Broodie
I presume it has two leading arms and two trailing arms.
If so, all arms have adjustment to align the wheels.
It seems both wheels/arms mentioned, require the inner pivot to be raised a little so the axle becomes aligned and so will the wheels.
Have a good look at all bushes in the arms because, if worn they can be allowing the arm itself to be out of alignment slightly although the base setting of adjustment pins is correct.
Bushes
check first then adjustment.
Most front arms have a small amount of toe in the cater for the drag of the wheel outside the arm pivot centres and so the wheel runs true when dynamic running forces are present as you travel.
AnswerID:
538481
Reply By: Member - Silverchrome - Tuesday, Sep 02, 2014 at 15:46
Tuesday, Sep 02, 2014 at 15:46
Hi Broodie,
Have a look at my thread #107483 which I posted a while ago about doing your own caravan wheel alignment.
Cheers
AnswerID:
538507
Reply By: Member - Broodie H3 - Tuesday, Sep 02, 2014 at 17:22
Tuesday, Sep 02, 2014 at 17:22
thank you gentlemen for you input, the answer was very simple bent rims in the centres, don't ask me the boys at Bridgestone tyres sorted it for me. thank you all for your input it has me a much more informed person. Thank you.
AnswerID:
538512
Follow Up By: AlanTH - Wednesday, Sep 03, 2014 at 11:31
Wednesday, Sep 03, 2014 at 11:31
I was going to suggest you tried that Broodie as I had the same trouble with our Goldstream.
Retailer nor manu were any assistance whatsoever and it was trial and error to find the prob.
But after our daughter noticed the wheels were buckled (she was behind us) as we went into a park, the tyre fitter couldn't balance 2 of the 3 wheels as they were so badly buckled. Absolutely no damage to the wheels although the retailer tried to blame "abuse and mis-use" as the reason.
After going through consumer affairs in WA and the small claims court we got 3 new wheels and the cost of finding the problem etc. paid by Goldstream.
Tyres are good now, pelmets have stopped falling off, drawers have stopped opening after being locked and no doubt the whole van has stopped shaking itself to bits from the vibrations.
Good luck.
AlanH.
FollowupID:
823064
Reply By: Ross M - Wednesday, Sep 03, 2014 at 18:59
Wednesday, Sep 03, 2014 at 18:59
Broodie
Buckled rims would cause shaking and strange pattern tyre wear but you mentioned about the tyres wearing on the inside.
Inside wear cannot be caused by buckled rims or bent rims, only alignment will do that.
You may have had bent/buckles rims on the van but the wear pattern as describes is because of alignment.
So, there might have been two problems present and the tyre fitters have found/cured one only. The other problem quite possibly could still be there and tyre wear in the same
places will again result if alignment isn't correct.
AnswerID:
538573
Follow Up By: Member - Broodie H3 - Wednesday, Sep 03, 2014 at 19:47
Wednesday, Sep 03, 2014 at 19:47
HI
Ross
they did mention that it may be two problems and it is my mistake that I forgot to let you all know that.so today it has been down and had the alignment done, it was a tad out and they reckon it was created by having
the springs reset, and not getting the alignment done at the same time which makes sense to me. We had
the springs reset about four months ago, which is about when or maybe a couple of trips after that I noticed the wear, all is
well that ends
well, my two new spares are now on the van and the worn ones are now the spares. they are not badly worn just enough to be annoying.
thank you everyone for your input, and happy travels.
FollowupID:
823084