Light squeak on braking

[Shaino]

Hi all,

Quite often I hear a slight squeaking sound coming from the caravan when braking. The caravan have had a full service a month ago without any issues.
Sometimes I think it's not the breaks but something from the hitch as there is no sound on repeated breaking (so the overrun dumper has not released back).

What should I do?...

 

[Kevin M]

Turn the radio up

 

[Mr Plodd]

Brake squeal is a very common issue with Alko brakes and is experienced by many caravanners. There is nothing you can do about it other than replace the brake shoes and drums (very expensive option) It's NOT safety related in any way at all, so it's safe to ignore it.
Noises from the hitch are creaking sounds when turning. So if this noise is when you are in a straight line then it's brake squeal, it usually happens just as you are coming to rest.
As Kevin has said, turn the radio up.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi all,

Quite often I hear a slight squeaking sound coming from the caravan when braking. The caravan have had a full service a month ago without any issues.
Sometimes I think it's not the breaks but something from the hitch as there is no sound on repeated breaking (so the overrun dumper has not released back).

What should I do?...

What do you think you should do?

You are obviously concerned enough to ask a question in the forum, but with teh best will in the world, we cannot see or hear the noise, and thus all we can do is speculate about what it might be, and we could be wrong.

I disagree with the answers you have been given which suggest ignoring it. You want an answer, and the only practical way you will have confidence about it, is if its been checked by someone who knows (i.e. a caravan technician) who has physically been able to check it.

From your description it does suggest its hitch related and it could be the overrun brake sticking which is something that needs to be corrected other wise it puts extra load on the tow vehicle's brakes and critically it will impair braking performance.

 

[borderbilly]

slight squeak = baby mouse, big squeak = adult mouse 🐭

 

[Kevin M]

Chill out Prof

 

[birdman101]

This has been going on with Alko chassis and brakes for some time. There was a statement by Alko that they would do nothing about it as it did not affect the braking efficiency and was due to the brake lining material having to be used since Asbestos in the manufacture was banned. This was thoroughly discussed back in the days of Swift Talk.

 

[Shaino]

What do you think you should do?

You are obviously concerned enough to ask a question in the forum, but with teh best will in the world, we cannot see or hear the noise, and thus all we can do is speculate about what it might be, and we could be wrong.

I disagree with the answers you have been given which suggest ignoring it. You want an answer, and the only practical way you will have confidence about it, is if its been checked by someone who knows (i.e. a caravan technician) who has physically been able to check it.

From your description it does suggest its hitch related and it could be the overrun brake sticking which is something that needs to be corrected other wise it puts extra load on the tow vehicle's brakes and critically it will impair braking performance.

Well it had been dealer serviced a month ago with the squeak present so I assume they'd have flagged any concerns if there had been any?..

 

[ProfJohnL]

Well it had been dealer serviced a month ago with the squeak present so I assume they'd have flagged any concerns if there had been any?..

That is a question you should ask your dealer.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Chill out Prof

Why? If there is a concern it needs answering not ignoring.

 

[Buckman]

No need to be concerned as it is a common issue on ALKO axles and is not a safety issue. We were lucky in that we complained about the issue within the six months from delivery from new and they changed the drums and shoes.

 

[ProfJohnL]

The problem is no one on the forum has witnessed the concern Shaino has. As such we have no way of knowing if the noise is from the Al-Ko known issue or whether is something else which might not be so harmless.

There is no way anyone can accurately diagnose Shaino's noise just based on forum comments. He needs to have a professional witness the noise so a properly informed opinion can be made.

These is every chance the noise may be the common issue that's been suggested, but there is an equal chance it could be more serious, And the only way it can be resolved is to have the issue professionally assessed.

And as its seems to be related to braking, it would be foolish to ignore the issue.

 

[Shaino]

Looks like I need to make a video!

 

[Hutch]

slight squeak = baby mouse, big squeak = adult mouse 🐭

Hi all,

Quite often I hear a slight squeaking sound coming from the caravan when braking. The caravan have had a full service a month ago without any issues.
Sometimes I think it's not the breaks but something from the hitch as there is no sound on repeated breaking (so the overrun dumper has not released back).

What should I do?...

It sounds like to me, after just being serviced, the brake shoes have been adjusted, if the leading edge of the brake shoes is slightly raised now, it will Squeak, / Sqweel untill it wears in.
Ask your service technician, if he remembers what was the state of your brake shoes. But I dought he will know. As they service so many caravans.