Avondale Axle

[David_374304363]

My Avondale axle ssems to be "bottoming out" when towing.

The van sits very low on both sides but as yet the tyres do not rub the inside of the wheel arches.

I have checked the axle and it seems to be malfunctioning.

It is an axle within a pipe construction with three rubber suspension pieces running from wheel to wheel. These rubber pieces seemed to have perished. They are giving little or no suspension.

I have been told that since there is no renewal parts only Avondale can repair/replace the axle. As the van only cost me £1650 I think it is too much to pay.

(1) Could I repair the axle? (2) Can a new axle be purchased? (3) Could anyone suggested an alternative remedy?

 

[rob_jax]

Hi,

The first thing is that the axle will almost certainly have been made by AL-KO (or maybe BPW or one of the other manufacturers) and then shipped as a complete running chassis to Avondale (and the other caravan manufacturers) so they can screw their shed on top.

Look on the chassis for a maker's data plate, this will confirm if it's an AL-KO unit.

Let's assume it's an AL-KO unit, and there are authorised AL-KO axle refurbishers - take a look on the AL-KO web-site http://www.al-ko.co.uk/ and it's probably worth giving them a call first.

Robert

 

[Clive-Cardiff]

Hi David, I had both tyres on my Avondale blow out in Spain a few weeks ago so my van has got the same problem as yours ie suspension units have been weakened.

I took the van to the Caravan Hospital in South Wales and they confirmed that the clearances were all wrong.

There is nothing that can be done in the way of replacing the units except by Alko. The rubbers have to be pressed in under great pressure in some sort of jig, not easy for home fitting.

The axle has now gone to Alko for a total cost of about

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Not seeing the problem this suggestion could be unworkable but might it be possible to fit some kind of sprung shock absorber in place of or working with the existing rubber.

 

[David_374304363]

Not seeing the problem this suggestion could be unworkable but might it be possible to fit some kind of sprung shock absorber in place of or working with the existing rubber.

Thanks so far to Robert, Clive and Garry for your help and assistance.

 

[Geordie]

Hi David, if you try the western towing website you'll find axles for different makers, alko, indespension, etc etc. My mate has the same problem with his van and has been in touch with them about a new axle. When on their site click on suspension units and it takes you to a page with the different axles.I think they are in Exeter. Hope this helps.

 

[spj]

Hi David,

Just a thought but how about an axle from a caravan breakers? If you make sure the width is correct and the donor caravan has the same max wieght and tyre sizes then the brakes should be the same it should go in ok.