Lunar Ariva brakes

[Martin4]

Our van was bought new and delivered early in 1995. We took it back to the UK for a major service in September 2004 but we live in Spain and now keep it under cover at a store in the south of France.

While towing, in an ambient temp of about 30C, I noticed some brake squeal and stopped at intervals to check that the hand brake was fully released. The wheels were above ambient temp but not too hot to touch and this settled down after a few miles. Such small wheels have a lot to do!

Of course, I have to suspect a tendency for a brake shoe to drag but the brake adjustment procedure (given in the handbook) is horrendous for an amateur so until our move from UK, this was always a professional job.

On the mainland, brakes are the work for automotive garages not caravan specialists and I have doubts about finding anyone experienced in this archaic system. Even identifying the "one time" wheel hub nuts is a problem for them.

I would be grateful for any comments from forum members who know how to deal with the Knott running gear fitted to this van.

 

[mkej100]

Brake squeal is normally caused by a build up of brake dust or over loading.You'll definately need to get it to a caravan workshop as any normal automotive garage will not have the experience to know what torque to do the one shot nuts up to or how the reversing mech works but adjusting them is basically the same as cars were 30 years ago before self adjusting brakes were introduced,ie adjust each side till they lock then back off so that the drums are just skimming then adjust the handbrake to lock at 3 clicks.Don't forget to check the damper though as if this is faulty it will cause the van to skid if the brakes have been adjusted up.

I know of a few mobile caravan mechanics but don't think they cover South of France.

Hope this helps.

Mike.

 

[Martin4]

Brake squeal is normally caused by a build up of brake dust or over loading.You'll definately need to get it to a caravan workshop as any normal automotive garage will not have the experience to know what torque to do the one shot nuts up to or how the reversing mech works but adjusting them is basically the same as cars were 30 years ago before self adjusting brakes were introduced,ie adjust each side till they lock then back off so that the drums are just skimming then adjust the handbrake to lock at 3 clicks.Don't forget to check the damper though as if this is faulty it will cause the van to skid if the brakes have been adjusted up.

I know of a few mobile caravan mechanics but don't think they cover South of France.

Hope this helps.

Mike.

Mike: thanks for your response; I understand your description. I used to do my own maintenance on my first cars and recall adjusting such brakes on models from 1936 to the 70's.

I have done this on the caravan too but for some reason, it is not easy to "feel" the right shoe setting. I wondered if there was a primitive self adjusting mechanism incorporated in the cam operation of the shoes?

A major change from my early motoring experience, is the automatic brake override for reversing.

I think that the book gives the torque for the one shot nuts but garages I have spoken to have difficulty in identifying the nuts themselves!

When you wrote "overloading", did you mean overloading the van? That is something that we never do.

Of course, I will continue to ask around after suitable garages but it would appear that Knott have not been selling their gear to trailer builders in Spain or France. Pity Lunar did not choose Alko.

 

[Martin4]

Please read my comment. I made a mistake and should have posted it as a reply.

Thank you