please help swift corniche axle

[kimjohn]

rubber bushes are worn on our axle making the caravan much lower than it should be , can the bushes be replaced? or do we need a new axle, or is it still ok to use it on the road as it is, with out any problems, it is an old van but sound.

 

[BrianStAlbans]

Hi Kim, If you are referring to the rubber bits that are positioned around the triangular part of the axle then they are what provides the suspension for your van.If they are worn then your van will sit lower as it effectively has no suspension and will definately handle badly when towing and could be termed unroadworthy if stopped by the police. I would hope as a wearable item they can be replaced but as they are designed to take a significant load Im not sure whether you would require specialist equipment to fit them. Im sure someone else will be able to answer this question.....Brian

 

[RogerL]

Are you sure the caravan is lower than normal?

In the '70s - '90s Swift caravans were always built lower than other manufacturers, their advertising made great play of the extra stability this brought.

Check the ground clearance of the chassis in line with the wheels, ensuring that tyres are the correct size and pressure - if the clearance is less than 6" (150mm) then you do have a problem.

Al-Ko axles can be rebuilt or new ones fitted, but it's not cheap and only a handful of workshops could do it.

 

[laurieW]

Hello Kim.We had a Swift Corniche with a Syspal Aluminium chassis. The van always seemed to "sit low"(it was a new van). However, we did have another van(bought s/h from a dealer),and the wheels rubbed on the wheel arch when van nearly empty. After much hassle/threats/solicitors letters etc., we got it fixed(then sold the van!). The axle had to be sent back to Alko for the rubbers to be replaced, as it is a job that requires specialist equipment(not cheap, apparently).

 

[kimjohn]

Hello Kim.We had a Swift Corniche with a Syspal Aluminium chassis. The van always seemed to "sit low"(it was a new van). However, we did have another van(bought s/h from a dealer),and the wheels rubbed on the wheel arch when van nearly empty. After much hassle/threats/solicitors letters etc., we got it fixed(then sold the van!). The axle had to be sent back to Alko for the rubbers to be replaced, as it is a job that requires specialist equipment(not cheap, apparently).

thanks for your help, when replaced did it sit higher? how expensive was it? as ours is quite an old van and dont to pay more than the van is worth.

 

[kimjohn]

Are you sure the caravan is lower than normal?

In the '70s - '90s Swift caravans were always built lower than other manufacturers, their advertising made great play of the extra stability this brought.

Check the ground clearance of the chassis in line with the wheels, ensuring that tyres are the correct size and pressure - if the clearance is less than 6" (150mm) then you do have a problem.

Al-Ko axles can be rebuilt or new ones fitted, but it's not cheap and only a handful of workshops could do it.

thanks for your reply, when i try to take the wheels off i have to let the air out of the tyres as there is not enough clearance between the brake drum and the body. if not the rubber could something have seized?

 

[laurieW]

thanks for your help, when replaced did it sit higher? how expensive was it? as ours is quite an old van and dont to pay more than the van is worth.

Yes, it did sit higher after the repair.The dealer eventually paid as the van was supposed to be under warranty.The axle will have to be completely removed from caravan and sent to Alkours took about 3 weeks. I did here that it costs between

 

[RogerL]

Yes, it did sit higher after the repair.The dealer eventually paid as the van was supposed to be under warranty.The axle will have to be completely removed from caravan and sent to Alkours took about 3 weeks. I did here that it costs between