Al-Ko Axle

[FosterS]

First post Please be gentle with me.
I have an Avondale Dart 2002 and I think that the suspension is a little low, as my ride height (Chassis just in front of the axle to ground) is around 7 inches as in the photo.


Also the wheel looks to be too high into the wheel well.



Also the wheel looks to be too high into the wheel well.

What are the thoughts of the masses.

Thanks

 

[Jcloughie]

Suspensions have been known to collapse. But it would be impossible to judge that from pictures alone. Technical evidence would be needed. Possibly Alko (if it is an Alko chassis). Might be able to provide the laden angle of the swing axle.

John

 

[4wheeler]

First post Please be gentle with me.
I have an Avondale Dart 2002 and I think that the suspension is a little low, as my ride height (Chassis just in front of the axle to ground) is around 7 inches as in the photo.

View attachment 9777
Also the wheel looks to be too high into the wheel well.

View attachment 9778

Also the wheel looks to be too high into the wheel well.

What are the thoughts of the masses.

Thanks

First post Please be gentle with me.
I have an Avondale Dart 2002 and I think that the suspension is a little low, as my ride height (Chassis just in front of the axle to ground) is around 7 inches as in the photo.

View attachment 9777
Also the wheel looks to be too high into the wheel well.

View attachment 9778

Also the wheel looks to be too high into the wheel well.

What are the thoughts of the masses.

Thanks

Hi looks like it's a common problem with the al-ko. Take a look at an alternative axle setup from guys in Exeter. Euro Axle would be a new, stronger, lighter axle setup and cheaper than having your setup refurbished. It's worth a look and a call to them. https://www.euroaxle.co.uk/products/axles/. info@euroaxle.co.uk

 

[Dustydog]

Are both sides the same measurement?

I found this https://www.pirancaravansales.co.uk/images/pdf/Avondale_2002_Brochure.pdf

Maybe some of the photos will help for comparison .
As John suggested by John you could adk Al-ko if yours is one of theirs

 

[FosterS]

Suspensions have been known to collapse. But it would be impossible to judge that from pictures alone. Technical evidence would be needed. Possibly Alko (if it is an Alko chassis). Might be able to provide the laden angle of the swing axle.

John

I have read that the torsion bars on a few caravans have snapped however this axle seams to be of the rubber kind(independent suspension style) I’ll try to get a photo of the rubber inserts this afternoon.

 

[FosterS]

Are both sides the same measurement?

I found this https://www.pirancaravansales.co.uk/images/pdf/Avondale_2002_Brochure.pdf

Maybe some of the photos will help for comparison .
As John suggested by John you could adk Al-ko if yours is one of theirs

They are almost the same ¼ inch difference.

The brochure is brilliant however the only measurement not there is ground clearance, but they all look as though the wheel does go a long way into the wheel well.

 

[4wheeler]

I have read that the torsion bars on a few caravans have snapped however this axle seams to be of the rubber kind(independent suspension style) I’ll try to get a photo of the rubber inserts this afternoon.

Replacements way to go, look at https://www.euroaxle.co.uk new and cheaper than a refurb. Lighter, stronger and cheaper it looks like a win.

 

[otherclive]

I had a 2013 Alko suspension go on one side in 2017. Looking underneath I could see that a part of the rubber suspension bush had extruded. What do your bushes look like? Mind you yours is considerably older and you don’t know it’s history. Alko no longer refurbish axles, mine cost me £1300 for a new axle and fitting. There is Fraser Brown in Scotland who refurbishes Alko axles but you have to ship it to them. They have been in business for years.

Cast Iron Welding : AL-KO Axles : Nipple Therapy : EyeLevel

A range of Engineering Solutions and Innovations from Fraser Brown Engineering

fraserbrowneng.co.uk

 

[4wheeler]

I had a 2013 Alko suspension go on one side in 2017. Looking underneath I could see that a part of the rubber suspension bush had extruded. What do your bushes look like? Mind you yours is considerably older and you don’t know it’s history. Alko no longer refurbish axles, mine cost me £1300 for a new axle and fitting. There is Fraser Brown in Scotland who refurbishes Alko axles but you have to ship it to them. They have been in business for years.

Cast Iron Welding : AL-KO Axles : Nipple Therapy : EyeLevel

A range of Engineering Solutions and Innovations from Fraser Brown Engineering

fraserbrowneng.co.uk

Hi, alloy axle's dont corrode as do traditional ones, lighter, stronger, cheaper from Euro Axle near Exeter. https://www.euroaxle.co.uk

 

[IanB1485]

Interesting info on the euro axles, Aluminium alloy does corrode particularly if connected to steel components unless coated or anodised, Alko trailers are full galvanised to stop corrosion. To check the axle look at the first image . The axle should be in position 1B when stationary. Also there should be about 25mm clearance above the wheel to the wheel box. Another giveaway is the brake cable touching the top of the hole in the chassis - see second photo. Make sure you haven't overloaded the caravan , get it weighed at a public weighbridge and check its MRO and MTPLM weights.

 

[FosterS]

I had a 2013 Alko suspension go on one side in 2017. Looking underneath I could see that a part of the rubber suspension bush had extruded. What do your bushes look like?

I'm pretty sure that you can see the ends of the rubber inserts I'll look when I'm back home.

The van tows great straight as an arrow up to 60, we were in the south of France in June, it just that it dragged its rear end lightly in the site we were on at the weekend , it was a bit rough! Other than that it's good. The motor mover has only 4 3/4 of an inch clearance

 

[IanB1485]

I'm pretty sure that you can see the ends of the rubber inserts I'll look when I'm back home.

You will, most axle s have some rubber sticking out .The other issue is that someone may have in past fitted bigger tyres to the rims , check the manual to see what tyres it should have . there are quite a few different models of your van , 4/6 berth so you will need the full model number.

 

[FosterS]

Interesting info on the euro axles, Aluminium alloy does corrode particularly if connected to steel components unless coated or anodised, Alko trailers are full galvanised to stop corrosion. To check the axle look at the first image . The axle should be in position 1B when stationary. Also there should be about 25mm clearance above the wheel to the wheel box. Another giveaway is the brake cable touching the top of the hole in the chassis - see second photo. Make sure you haven't overloaded the caravan , get it weighed at a public weighbridge and check its MRO and MTPLM weights.

Thanks for that info.
I've had it on a weighbridge that's why all the heavy stuff gets put in the car.
I'll check the info out later today, I hope.
Thanks