C/Van wheel rubbing on chasis

Submitted: Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 10:53
ThreadID: 86792 Views:3595 Replies:9 FollowUps:15
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Any ideas or suggestions PLEASE! Jayco Swan outback. We have put 17" wheels on the camper to match the Prado (so the wheels are all interchangeable), except being wider than the original wheels they rub on the chasis - Damn it!
We are off on our first outback trip up to Darwin in 9 days.
We have tried a 6mm hub spacer and now the wheels only just clear the chasis if at all. It also only leaves 18mm of stud.
We are debating about doubling up the spacers to give 12mm and getting new longer stud's OR just resort back to the 15" original wheels.
We have a tyre repair kit on board as well as all your usual stuff (oils, hoses, belts, fluids etc).
Any idea's or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks :)

PS - any suggestions on 'must have' for the trip would be great too.
We are taking the major roads Adelaide, Coober Pedy, Erldunda, Uluaru, Katherine, Kakadu, Darwin and back.
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Reply By: member - mazcan - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 11:15

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 11:15
hikylie a
imho i would stay with the 15 " originals
otherwise you are looking down the barrel of a lot of unneccessary self inflicted expense that will result from the studs snapping off through hitting potholes and/or horregations
due to the spacers and the wheel will go through the floor of your van and may even tip the whole rig over
the ome wheels will carry the van anywhere without any problems so why create problems trying to do this
just fit a spare wheel carrying bar at the rear of the j/swan to carry jayco wheels on it and travel worry free
cheers barry
AnswerID: 456563

Follow Up By: Kylie A - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 11:45

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 11:45
Yeah, I think your right. I am leaning towards this way, err on the side of caution. Thanks Mazcan!
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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 16:51

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 16:51
Agree with Kylie

Go back to the originals.

Phil
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FollowupID: 729661

Reply By: Simon C - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 11:44

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 11:44
Also when using spaces....you move the load out on the hub, and the small bearing (outer bearing) will as a result be carring more load than it may have been designed for. This will cause the bearing to also run hotter than you are used to.

Also...a lot of discussion on that spacers are illegal....Not sure my self, but another question to ask.

Simon C
AnswerID: 456568

Follow Up By: Kylie A - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 11:47

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 11:47
Good point Simon about the bearings.

I have heard too that spacers are illegal. That would prob count out any insurance then too :(

Thanks Simon
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FollowupID: 729603

Reply By: Notso - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 12:08

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 12:08
I presume its a beam axle with Leaf Springs. You could always have the axle cut in the middle and insert a piece to make the axle longer. A qualified Boiler Maker could do that fairly easy
AnswerID: 456571

Follow Up By: Kylie A - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 12:16

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 12:16
Hi Notso, yes you are correct about the leaf spring.
Would that make the axle weaker as such?

Thanks
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Follow Up By: member - mazcan - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 12:23

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 12:23
hi kylie
dont go there
that is extreme imho
my brother -inlaw has had a jayco swan outback for many years and has travelled the lenght and bredth of aus and has never had any problems with the std jayco wheels he has worn out a set of tyres plus nearly the second set but has not even had a puncture but the choice is entirely yours
cheers
barry
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Follow Up By: Hairy (WA) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 12:56

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 12:56
Like Notso said.....lengthening you axle is a simple and inexpensive option and if done properly wont weaken it. The other option is just buying a longer axle which would only set you back a couple of hundred dollars roughly.
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FollowupID: 729611

Follow Up By: Notso - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 17:00

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 17:00
Nothing extreme about this at all, the amount needed would be around 25mm and any qualified boilermaker/welder could do it for you.

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FollowupID: 729662

Follow Up By: snapper49 - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 23:47

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 23:47
The cost of cutting the axle and setting up re welding and then straightening after welding would be far nore than getting another axle made to the correct length
From my supplier arounf $150

I am a qualified boilermaker welder and have worked on many axles
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FollowupID: 729738

Follow Up By: Notso - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2011 at 08:03

Tuesday, Jun 07, 2011 at 08:03
Yep, possibly, but you have to remove all the backing plates, refit bearings muck around with brakes etc.

I reckon it would be simpler to cut and shut the axle.
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Follow Up By: Kylie A - Tuesday, Jun 07, 2011 at 13:18

Tuesday, Jun 07, 2011 at 13:18
Hmmm, thanks for the ideas and thoughts guys.

I think we will take just the one spare each for the car & van.
They wont be interchangeable but hopefully we will be ok.

Thanks again for your time everyone
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FollowupID: 729779

Reply By: PatrolEv - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 16:10

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 16:10
Hi Kylie,

I would stick with the 15's for the Swan. Both your Swan and Prado already carry one spare each. If you really need additional spares for both then maybe get a roof rack and carry the spares that way.

Cheers
Ev
AnswerID: 456606

Follow Up By: Member - Alan John C (WA) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 18:53

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 18:53
If you want to run the same size wheel and tyres you can fit a narrower tyre than those on the Prado but still have same rolling diameter and this will keep tyre away from chasis and can still be run on your Prado only they will be a little narrower.

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FollowupID: 729682

Follow Up By: splits - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 20:22

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 20:22
That can run you into problems if you go too far. This linkhttp://www.dunloptires.com/care/widthRatio.html to a section of Dunlop's web site explains how varying the tyre width on a rim moves the intended flex point of the side wall too far either towards the tread or the rim resulting in a build up of heat.
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FollowupID: 729701

Reply By: snoopyone - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 16:24

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 16:24
Wheel spacers are illegal in all states on motor vehicles

Dont know about caravans but seems a very risky exercise

Take a couple of tubes with you lighter and not hard to fit..

I never got a puncture in 50,000k around the block in either van or car.
AnswerID: 456609

Follow Up By: Kylie A - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 21:06

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 21:06
Hey there snoopyone,
I was thinking exactly the same thing with the tubes too. But to fit it, we will need all the tools, ie bead breaker etc. We dont have this, and havent done it before.
Thanks for the advice.
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FollowupID: 729710

Reply By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 16:52

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 16:52
Talk to your tyre/wheel retailer and if possible get the same size wheel and tyre as your Prado except narrower.
They will be interchangeable with the vehicle but not as wide, will do the job until you can replace the damaged one.

Scrubby.
AnswerID: 456611

Follow Up By: Hairy (WA) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 18:01

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 18:01
Only trouble will be the Prado spare wont fit the trailer.
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FollowupID: 729671

Follow Up By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 19:16

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 19:16
Yes you are correct Hairy.
How come I never thought of that ?? LOL

Scrubby.
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FollowupID: 729686

Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 17:52

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 17:52
Notso and Hairy have the answers!! Lengthening the axle is ok if done correctly or replace it for around $150 plus labour. You need 25mm minimum between the inside of the tyre and the chassis, this allows for articulation and any side movement. You also need enough room above the tyre for clearance between the tyre and the top of the Guard/Wheel housing. If these clearances are not adhered to, you will place unnecessary load on the u bolts if rubbing occurs and may over time, loosen them and cause a catastrophic failure and may lead to overturning your van if the failure is at speed. I had a similar incident in 2010 with a box trailer. Read my blog. Hope this helps. Michael
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AnswerID: 456616

Reply By: steved58 - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 20:38

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 20:38
I have the same problem on a sterling outback I plan to make spacers so the
17" off the LC will fit the sterling the other way is not a problem ie 16" on the LC but I will only ever use this method to limp in to the next town till repairs can be made I have not checked it out yet but think it will work better than being stuck
cheers steve
AnswerID: 456644

Reply By: rumpig - Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 22:21

Monday, Jun 06, 2011 at 22:21
i'd just buy a longer axle, it cost me around $80 about 2 years back to buy an axle from the local trailer parts shop here in Brisbane. it's not a big job really for someone who knows what they are doing to change it over, so if your paying someone to do it, it shouldn't cost alot IMHO.
AnswerID: 456650

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