A'van Wheel Bearing Adjustment

A'van Wheel Bearing Adjustment

A'vans are fitted with AL-KO electric braked axles in which the bearing hub is not a separate item but is an integral part of the brake drum. AL-KO recommend brakes and bearings be inspected by an AL-KO Service Agent every 10,000 Km or at 12 month intervals whichever is the sooner. Grease stains on the wheel often are an indication of incorrect adjustment or impending failure. The following note on wheel bearing adjustment (attributed to Lockheed) may be of interest:

"Wheel bearings must neither be too slack nor too tight. Either condition results in excessive wear leading to premature failure. Inspect the cones and rollers for pitting and/or wear (if so, replace), re-pack the bearing with a high temperature bearing grease before replacing the drum/hub on the axle spindle. Pre-load the spindle nut to a torque or 40 N-m, then back off the nut 180 degrees, then forward 90 degrees. Fit a new cotter pin in the nut slot nearest to the spindle hole. Check that no looseness can be felt by gripping and rocking the drum top to bottom. If looseness can be felt, tighten nut to the next slot and repeat until no looseness can be felt. Re-fit wheel to drum and repeat the looseness check by gripping and rocking the wheel top to bottom. If looseness can be felt under this condition, remove wheel and tighten nut again to the next slot. Repeat as necessary. Road test and repeat the looseness check after (say) 100 Km."

Wheel bearings are generally very reliable, particularly if serviced regularly as recommended. However, bearings have been known to fail catastrophically. Carrying a spare set of bearings and a grease seal can mean you are either able to fix it yourself or they can be given to a local mechanic for fixing. Either way you are back on the road again a lot quicker than otherwise! If you are really paranoid, consider carrying a spare drum c/w grease packed bearings which can be interchanged with the failed unit very quickly at the roadside. (A replacement drum with bearings cost around $110) When buying spare bearings or a drum, it is suggested your existing unit is taken as a sample to ensure the spares are interchangeable. From experience, it appears bearings fitted to A'vans are not always identical.

Keith Thomas - ACT A'vanners