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.

 

[IanB1485]

One thing to note is that a lot of AWS do not disassemble the hub and clean the brake shoes and drums but just adjust the shoes to minimise clearance and look at the shoes through the inspection hole in the backplate . Alko do not require a full annual inspection of the brakes , just adjustment of the clearances inc the handbrake. The MCEA engineers will do a full strip down and cleaning and adjustment . Squealing can be the result of the shoes becoming glazed or brake dust being trapped and getting on the shoes. Its not a detriment to braking efficiency. The best judge of badly adjusted brakes is when you touch the car brakes if the caravan 'pushes' you then the brakes or damper need attention.

 

[Dustydog]

My AWS always removes the drums and cleans the brake linings etc. And there is the cost of the four one shot nuts!

 

[Gafferbill]

......interestingly the OP hasn't mentioned their make or age of caravan and whether it has an alko axle.
If the OP has concerns they should address them to their recent service provider.

 

[Shaino]

......interestingly the OP hasn't mentioned their make or age of caravan and whether it has an alko axle.
If the OP has concerns they should address them to their recent service provider.

sorry, it's Bessacarr Cameo 635gl 2005

 

[Shaino]

The best judge of badly adjusted brakes is when you touch the car brakes if the caravan 'pushes' you then the brakes or damper need attention.

Wait so normally there is no push at all? I do get a tiny one but I thought that's okay...

 

[ProfJohnL]

Looks like I need to make a video!

You are of course welcome to do that, but in reality you NEED to have the concern assessed by some one who can listen , touch and check the parts based on what they can see and hear.

 

[IanB1485]

The hitch drawshaft , when pushed back( slowed up by the damper) will move the bottom of the handbrake lever , which in turn ( through the brake rod and bowden cables) engages the caravan's brakes.The brake shoes should be set so they occasionally touch the drum when the drum is spun forward and the brake rod free play checked at 5-8mm and if set correctly then the movement of the drawshaft ( even if you only take your foot of the throttle) will engage the brakes gently and progressively eliminating any snatch being felt by the driver. You should neither feel a push or pull (unless you are very sensitive) when accelerating, coasting or braking .
As Prof says if you are concerned then get the whole braking system checked . Saw one last week and the owner reported a banging noise when braking - turns out the brakes were way out of adjustment over 15mm of play at the hubs and one of the friction linings had actually separated from the shoe . Also seen snapped and bent and U/S dampers , even a bent drawbar!

 

[RogerL]

The hitch drawshaft , when pushed back( slowed up by the damper) will move the bottom of the handbrake lever , which in turn ( through the brake rod and bowden cables) engages the caravan's brakes.The brake shoes should be set so they occasionally touch the drum when the drum is spun forward and the brake rod free play checked at 5-8mm and if set correctly then the movement of the drawshaft ( even if you only take your foot of the throttle) will engage the brakes gently and progressively eliminating any snatch being felt by the driver. You should neither feel a push or pull (unless you are very sensitive) when accelerating, coasting or braking .
As Prof says if you are concerned then get the whole braking system checked . Saw one last week and the owner reported a banging noise when braking - turns out the brakes were way out of adjustment over 15mm of play at the hubs and one of the friction linings had actually separated from the shoe . Also seen snapped and bent and U/S dampers , even a bent drawbar!

To add to that - even when the brakes are properly adjusted, the driver will feel a thump from the caravan if the hitch damper is worn out - this will occur under both light braking and just lifting off the throttle - under heavy braking it feels like you've been rear-ended!

 

[ProfJohnL]

The last two posts just show there can be other causes for squeaks and groans which do have potentially serious consequences.

Any concerns raised about braking systems should never be casually dismissed. The system should be checked properly and any and all inadequacies corrected.

How would any of those who dismissed the noise as unimportant feel if Shaino had ignored the noise and subsequently had an incident?

 

[Martin_E]

One thing to note is that a lot of AWS do not disassemble the hub and clean the brake shoes and drums but just adjust the shoes to minimise clearance and look at the shoes through the inspection hole in the backplate . Alko do not require a full annual inspection of the brakes , just adjustment of the clearances inc the handbrake. The MCEA engineers will do a full strip down and cleaning and adjustment . Squealing can be the result of the shoes becoming glazed or brake dust being trapped and getting on the shoes. Its not a detriment to braking efficiency. The best judge of badly adjusted brakes is when you touch the car brakes if the caravan 'pushes' you then the brakes or damper need attention.

As far as I am aware removing the hub is part of the AWS service schedule, if some are skipping this step then what else are they skipping!!

 

[Buckman]

How would any of those who dismissed the noise as unimportant feel if Shaino had ignored the noise and subsequently had an incident?

See #8 and post #18. OP in #8 states that recently serviced by dealer etc however they only mention the age of the caravan in #18. None of us have anything to feel guilty about regarding any incident that may happen as prior to #18 we gave them good advice on what is normally a common problem with ALKO brake drums. Until it is properly investigated, there is nothing more that can be added at this point.