Ark Jockey Wheel Owners!
Submitted: Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 14:50
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Shaker
Recently during my trip to Arnhem Land the Ark jockey wheel on my Tvan became hard to wind up or down under load.
When I got
home I stripped it down & found that the thrust bearing had broken, this morning I rang Ark only to be told that it is not a serviced part!
So basically as far as they are concerned, throw it away & buy another jockey wheel.
I ended up at our local bearing supplies & found that an NSK 51104 bearing will fit, it is also a much better & stronger bearing assembly.
So, make a note of that bearing number & it will save you a bit of time.
The other thing I noticed was that the original thrust bearing is assembled with no lubricant, so it may pay to pull your jockey wheels apart & grease the bearing, I am sure that the lack of lubricant led to the premature failure.
Reply By: Aussi Traveller - Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 14:58
Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 14:58
Sneeky buggers.
AnswerID:
539116
Reply By: Bushranger1 - Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 15:32
Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 15:32
Thanks for the advice Shaker.
Seems we throw lots of items away & replace them due to sometimes minor sub assembly failures.
Always helps when you have some mechanical skills to get things up & running again.
Many items I have acquired over the years I haven't had to buy new because someone has disposed of them then with a relatively minor repair they can be made like new again.
Cheers
Stu
AnswerID:
539119
Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 15:33
Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 15:33
"The other thing I noticed was that the original thrust bearing is assembled with no lubricant, so it may pay to pull your jockey wheels apart & grease the bearing, I am sure that the lack of lubricant led to the premature failure."
Generally between the heat of the sun and the water that flows through them they tend to run out of grease. Yes they need servicing regularly.
Will these fit? You can get them at many of the caravan repair shops.
AnswerID:
539120
Follow Up By: Shaker - Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 20:15
Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 20:15
No they don't fit, they only fit Al-Ko & Manutec.
I can assure you that the thrust bearing in
mine had never seen a lubricant.
FollowupID:
823748
Reply By: The Landy - Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 16:09
Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 16:09
Hi Shaker
I have the same problem, stripped it down on our recent trip across the Anne Beadell/Sandy Blight
Junction. It is serviceable at the moment, but I am yet to address it fully.
I'm not sure if my TVAN has the same jockey wheel, but it was factory fitted and TVAN have told me they have a replacement bearing.
Might pay to
check with them.
Cheers, Baz - The Landy
AnswerID:
539123
Follow Up By: Shaker - Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 20:16
Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 20:16
Mine is non-genuine, because the original had a pneumatic tyre, which are useless!
FollowupID:
823749
Follow Up By: JR - Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 20:34
Monday, Sep 15, 2014 at 20:34
Track have used easylift for a long time, solid large wheel. Aust made.
FollowupID:
823750
Reply By: fisho64 - Tuesday, Sep 16, 2014 at 01:48
Tuesday, Sep 16, 2014 at 01:48
Ark gear?
No longer will purchase.
It was a while ago but from memory I bought something like a set of u bolts (cant remember exactly).
The size printed on the packaging was out by 10mm.
Rang them and they had no interest whatsoever and it was still being sold the same 5 years later (several years ago)
AnswerID:
539150
Reply By: Member - Rowdy6032 (WA) - Thursday, Sep 18, 2014 at 13:17
Thursday, Sep 18, 2014 at 13:17
Hi
As
well as replacing the thrust bearing with the NSK 51104 I replaced the bearings for the wheel with fully enclosed RBI bearings KLNJ5/8-2RS. You will need a bit of retaining compound like Loctite 660 to hold them in place and a couple of washers either side of the wheel to firm it up.
The jockey wheel itself should still be serviced regularly ie every 12 months.
They soon dry out.
Regards
Rowdy
AnswerID:
539249