Suspension Replace Leaf Springs- Options

[Dean Anderson]

I have a 2012 Expanda (17.56-2OB), which has tandem rocker springs (not roller-rocker).

I am presently waiting for a quote from Jayco to see if they can increase my ALKO leaf springs from 6 leaf to 7 leaf and increase the GVM...and what that would cost.

Has anyone replaced their springs with non ALKO? If so on which van and what did you put on??

Also...did you put the whole van up on stands or did you just jack one side up at a time, and if you did it yourself is there anything to be wary of?

 

[Dove]

I would also like to hear how you progress your suspension upgrade. I purchased a new Outback in 2013. The last of the beam axle type. In 18,000k I have scrubbed 2 sets of tyres. I believe this occurred initially due to the failure of the factory to correctly align the axle. And secondly the failure of the dealer to correctly diagnose and correct the misalignment. I have received no help from Jayco and no response from the dealer with the latest failure.

I took my van to a truck wheel aligner who diagnosed and corrected the misalignment in about 30min. The have warned me that problems could re occur as in their opinion the 50mm square axle is too light for the van. On AlKo's web site they rate the axle as max load 2t. I also note AlKo have a 63mm axle rated at 3t.

If I have any further problems I'm wondering whether up grading the axle, spring, and shocker combination would improve my situation.

 

[Drover]

If the jack is placed on any point on the axle other than under the fish plate then it may bend, that goes for any beam axle. Big pot holes won't do it any good either
I have done a detailed post about how to set you axle up so it should be straight may have to search around.
When ever they do a service on your van and they do the brakes or bearings, spray the axle with silvereen then when you get it back have a look the paint should not be damaged if it is they have lifted your van on the axle, not good.
If the U bolts have moved then your alighnment will be changed, @Dove did they say what they actually had to do ?????....depending on the wear pattern then it can be bent axle or bad set up on springs.......
I have noticed that the washers on the U bolts on Jayco are mild steel, they will in time compress and tension on the spring/axle will be lost, I changed mine to HT washers and after an initial tighten after a couple of hundred Kms no more was needed.

 

[twscoot]

Related to this issue..... About two years into my Expanda ownership I noticed the springs sagging and the van sitting lower than it should. I looked up the Alko website and determined the wrong springs had been fitted for my van's weight.

Jayco replaced them for the correct springs under warranty no questions asked. From memory I had 6 leaf springs and they should have been 7.

 

[Dove]

If the jack is placed on any point on the axle other than under the fish plate then it may bend, that goes for any beam axle. Big pot holes won't do it any good either
I have done a detailed post about how to set you axle up so it should be straight may have to search around.
When ever they do a service on your van and they do the brakes or bearings, spray the axle with silvereen then when you get it back have a look the paint should not be damaged if it is they have lifted your van on the axle, not good.
If the U bolts have moved then your alighnment will be changed, @Dove did they say what they actually had to do ?????....depending on the wear pattern then it can be bent axle or bad set up on springs.......
I have noticed that the washers on the U bolts on Jayco are mild steel, they will in time compress and tension on the spring/axle will be lost, I changed mine to HT washers and after an initial tighten after a couple of hundred Kms no more was needed.

Hi Drover. In my case it was badly set up springs. The right side of the axle was about 5mm forward of the left. It was also set more to the right than left. I take your point about the u bolt washers and will check nut tension after a few hundred k. Using mild steel washers when HT should be used is just another example of the way Jayco cut corners. They have been totally unhelpful with this issue.

Its frustrating that they are so slack as we love our van despite a succession of quality failures. For example. I went over all the large furniture screws. A few were tight, some loose that I retentioned, and in 5 places they haven't been fitted at all.

 

[Drover]

I loved the old tardis, I also loved my Jeep, my old Cruiser and now this Holden but I never, ever went to a dealer for any mechanical, I always advise use the specialist's, they know what they are doing, get the job done cheaper,quicker and more chance of right first time.
Jayco, Coromal, New Age no matter what the name when you look at the whinge sites they all get a mention and sound the same.

 

[Dove]

A

I loved the old tardis, I also loved my Jeep, my old Cruiser and now this Holden but I never, ever went to a dealer for any mechanical, I always advise use the specialist's, they know what they are doing, get the job done cheaper,quicker and more chance of right first time.
Jayco, Coromal, New Age no matter what the name when you look at the whinge sites they all get a mention and sound the same.

Agree. I contacted an independent repairer yesterday. After long talk I will be booking the van in there for its next service. But before that we have short trip next week, then a big trip to Cairns and the Gulf country.

 

[Dean Anderson]

?

 

[Drover]

A spare centre bolt, fish plate and U bolts should be in all spare boxes should probably include a shackle pin as well................................saying that none in my spares box except for a U bolt, something I should remedy very soon.

 

[Dean Anderson]

LOL...........and having the spares is easy...The centre bolt hole was deformed and would not fit a bolt. Had to get the die grinder out and buy a HSS cutter to reshape the hole when at home, a drill bit wouldn't fit or cut the spring steel. I take basics with me, but ...

How much stuff do you have to take just in case???

 

[Drover]

Exactly @Dean Anderson , back in the dark ages I used to carry a workshop, as the years have gone by it's shrinking to now I carry a basic tool set and a fully charged phone..................Oh and a box of matches.

 

[Dove]

We carry a gas lighter and a packet of fire lighters.

 

[Dean Anderson]

HERE IT IS GIRLS AND BOYS........................

No they wont upgrade the leaf springs from 6 to 7 springs up to stated Axle load as stated on the original compliance plate.....................

Evidently there is an axle load problem......Would need to replace the axles/hubs as well and blah blah blah....

My new compliance plate from JAYCO has upgraded my GTM by 100kg.....No suspension upgrade needed...Cost $100...

I can now legally carry an extra 100kg in the van. I'm up to 2448kg..............

Just below the magical 2500kg of a Prado. Good for resale value anyway and I have a bit of extra to play with.:biggrin-26:

 

[Mitchbat]

HERE IT IS GIRLS AND BOYS........................

No they wont upgrade the leaf springs from 6 to 7 springs up to stated Axle load as stated on the original compliance plate.....................

Evidently there is an axle load problem......Would need to replace the axles/hubs as well and blah blah blah....

My new compliance plate from JAYCO has upgraded my GTM by 100kg.....No suspension upgrade needed...Cost $100...

I can now legally carry an extra 100kg in the van. I'm up to 2448kg..............

Just below the magical 2500kg of a Prado. Good for resale value anyway and I have a bit of extra to play with.:biggrin-26:

Hi Dean, That is a fantastic result. Would you mind telling me how you went about approaching Jayco? Is there a specific email address for compliance issues like these? I would love to have my GTM increased as with my mods so far we are borderline without any clothese or food.
Mitch

 

[Dean Anderson]

Hi Mitchbat, I just emailed the local Jayco service agent (and sent a picture of the present compliance plate). I think they contacted Jayco's head office to see what's possible (via their engineers) for my particular van model/version. It's probably a common request.

 

[G Daddy]

Hi Mitchbat, I just emailed the local Jayco service agent (and sent a picture of the present compliance plate). I think they contacted Jayco's head office to see what's possible (via their engineers) for my particular van model/version. It's probably a common request.

Thanks @Dean Anderson I will try tomorrow and see what result I get.

 

[Mitchbat]

Cheers Dean, I reckon Jayco may get flooded with requests today!
Mitch