Avan axle replacement

Checked and repacked bearings before leaving home, jacked the van up last night and checked for movement and there was none. After dropping the van down the wheel looked much straighter in fact as I jacked it up and the weight was taken off the wheel I heard the tyre scrape on the ground as if it was moving sideways.
Travelled from Bateman's Bay to Queanbeyan today without incident but didn't go over 90kph.

Lesterb,
I've never known an Avan to have an underrated axle combination.
Could you please quote from the Vans VIN Plate, the TARE - GTM - ATM - Axle Load rating.
Thanks, Ozjohn.

Hi Ozjohn,

Thanks for your interest.
The A'van is "The Rhys" and is single axle.
From VIN Plate
Tare = 1185 kg
ATM = 1485kg
Axle Load Rating = 1600kg
GTM = blank

Regards,
Lester

Lester.
Look for another axle supplier.
45MM square axles (Straight or Overlay) are available in 1600Kg capacity as per the
axle load rating currently on the van.
With a TARE or 1185Kg and an ATM of 1485Kg you have a personaly payload allowance of 300Kg for water, has and everything else added by you onto or into the van.
The GTM (Maximum legal weight that can be supported by the wheels) must not exceed the Axle load capacity or the ATM.
So, it's less than 1485Kg.
If you load the van to it's legal maximum weight (ATM) and distribute the weight correctly you should have a ball weight in the vacinity of 150Kg which would place the weight on the wheels at 1335Kg. That's well below a 1500 - 1600Kg axle set.
So alls looking good.
If you order a 'Straight' axle ask that a Camber Bend is included as occasionally that's overlooked on straight axles for some reason.
A Straight axle will also raise the van around 48mm. Doesn't sound much, but the extra clearance on the rear of the van is a great asset for clearing park curbs and service station driveways etc.
Good luck.
Ozjohn.

Thanks Ozjohn,

Would changing to a straight axle constitute a modification and require Dept. Transport approval?

It was Al-ko that quoted 1400kg max. for a 45mm square axle and I believe they supply the axles, springs and brakes for A'van.

They told me that an axle with parallel bearings will take more weight. I know these have the same size innner and out bearings but why are they called parallel ? I thought all bearings would have to be parallel.


Regards,
Lester

Lester.
Before answering your questions let me be quite frank in saying that my answers are not as an approved department engineer, but purely that of someone with experience in the area and should not be taken verbaitin, but considered with caution until you have verified the information with other sources.

Parrallel bearings are actually Tapered Roller Bearing of the came size that fit on a parallel axle spigot.
They are standard with thr 45mm axles with 6 stud hubs.
the standard 45mm axles usually have a 1400 -1450Kg load ratuing and have slimline bearings. Small tappered outter and larger diameter inner ball bearing to fit a stepped axle spigot.
So the 1400kg will probably be the correct replacement if you have 5 stud hubs.

If upsizing (Different axle, hubs and wheels etc) then the aurthorities may need to be notified if different wheel/tyre configuration is used as a replacement VIN plate/Tyre Placard will need to be afixed to the van.
If only the axle is changed then it only increases the axle load carrying capacity, but does not in itself alter the ATM or GTM, and thus no notification will probably be required. Your Insurance company 'may' require notification re: modification to the trailer, but they wouldn't have any idea what the original axle was anyway.

Personally I would go with the original axle capacity as it more than covers the load of the van, but would opt for a Straight axle in lieu of the original overlay for the benefit of the inreased height.

If in doubt contact your state rego branch for more info.
Cheers, ozjohn.

PS> Radical Suspension modifications such as underslinging axles require the approval of the original chassis manufacturer or approval in writting of a departmental approved engineer. I note, that quite a few repair places carry out such modifications without approval and in doing so may leave themselves open to litigation in the event of a suspension failure.

Thanks Ozjohn,

You are a wealth of information.

Regards,
Lester