20' Series Tyres scrubbing

[Red1]

The van is in now getting its alignment, but a trap for the unwary, went to change the stuffed tyre yesterday and put on the spare, in preparation for the alignment. ( I only have to tow it a km to the workshop) and found that when you use the standard jack, on the recommended jacking point, the van cannot be lifted high enough to get the wheel off the front axle. The rear one comes up enough. It might be ok if on the jockey wheel with it wound all the way up, or of the vehicle was up on a hump, but when on the back of the 200 on the driveway there is no way known the front axle can be lifted enough. You need to use timber blocks under the jack about 100mm high.

 

[Crusty181]

I had to remove both wheels on the kerb side recently. I used 2 x 30mm drop jack blocks just so i didnt have to wind up the jack so far, and i seemed to have a some amount of height to go ... albeit not a huge amount

 

[Drover]

So it's not just the single beam axle problem then .........Ages ago by pure accident while at home I discovered that the, " Kill me Quickly " scissor jack that was supplied wouldn't or couldn't lift the Tardis when it was locked and loaded, so chucked it and bought a decent bottle jack, 3 tonner to make sure.
If your van comes with a scissor jack, throw it away and buy a proper mechanical or hydraulic unit, far safer, scissor jacks can kill you, easy as.....I don't mean to get a trolley jack either, they are no good unless on a very hard surface, big barbie plate though does the job.................plus they are big, heavy mongrels.

 

[achjimmy]

Yeah I found out in week One with our Starcraft the Jack would reach without a spacer block. Also you need to be atlas to undo the bloody wheel nuts

 

[bigcol]

a little tip for the guys with dual axles

front wheel or rear wheel, it dont matter
put a block of wood in front of, or behind other wheel - those wheel ramps are the best

drive forwards onto the block - or backwards
flat wheel is now just off the ground (may have to put a block UNDER the ramp for more height)

wont work with independent suspension though

 

[Smirke]

a little tip for the guys with dual axles

front wheel or rear wheel, it dont matter
put a block of wood in front of, or behind other wheel - those wheel ramps are the best

drive forwards onto the block - or backwards
flat wheel is now just off the ground (may have to put a block UNDER the ramp for more height)

wont work with independent suspension though

A tip for the independent suspension ..........pleeeeeeease? (Just in case)

 

[dagree]

A tip for the independent suspension ..........pleeeeeeease? (Just in case)

A new taller hydraulic jack or some good blocks of wood

 

[Drover]

Can lift from the stub on the independant gear or have to lift the body ??
I assume lift from the body, pity you can't just chain the axle with the flat then jack up, stopping that axle from extending.

 

[bigcol]

A tip for the independent suspension ..........pleeeeeeease? (Just in case)

you could try that, and it would give you more room (?) to get your jack under the flat one

maybe...................?
don't have dual axle, so not really sure if it would work

 

[Red1]

All great suggestions, but surely jayco could just design it properly in the first place????? Where would you be if you didn't have blocks of wood or ramps!!!!

Back to the wheels scrubbing, I had an alignment done in Rocky This morning at a place called Big Wheels, specialises is trucks and trailers etc. 1 wheel was 8mm out , 2 were 11 mm out and the offending wheel was 22 mm out of whack. All fixed now. No camber adjustment available on the suspension, just toe. The guy at this shop was really helpful. Hopefully should be fine now.

 

[dagree]

Them's big dimensions to be out

 

[bigcol]

Good stuff @Red1
that is a lot to be out by

glad its sorted now

 

[Drover]

Oh your a funny fella @Red1 , design properly, quality control in caravans ?

With those figures your van would surely have had a shudder as it wheeled along, should be smooth sailing now for sure........the other week I put the Colorado in to a steering specialist, best $$$$$ I have spent, still get a smile as it just drives so well now, tyre mob couldn't get it right.

 

[bessie]

We also had problems with wheel alignment on Jtech suspension up to 15mm out on two tyres. Decided to do it ourselves using a ruler and straight edges plus Torque Wrench, measuring equal distances from either side of the tyres to the chassis and adjusting to suit and after 8000 km all good. Have also marked the adjustment for future reference in case of movement.

1. Oh your a funny fella @Red1 , design properly, quality control in caravans ?

With those figures your van would surely have had a shudder as it wheeled along, should be smooth sailing now for sure........the other week I put the Colorado in to a steering specialist, best $$$$$ I have spent, still get a smile as it just drives so well now, tyre mob couldn't get it right.

Hi all,
Our expander is only a few months old, and has done about 8000 km. I was under it yesterday and found the inside of the drivers side front tyre is scrubbed almost completely away. Has anyone else had this issue and what did you do about it. I expect it is a wheel alignment issue as the othe 3 tyres are in perfect condition. View attachment 38300

Thanks in advance

 

[Drover]

Thats the way to do it @bessie, well done..........years back I made a big wooden slide rule which was for doing the alighnment on my old Patrol and Cruiser, mark tyre, measure, rotate 180, measure and adjust, sadly the termites ate it a few years back.

One can only assume the jig they use when building them is probably only alighned at the start of each month.

 

[bessie]

Thanks Drover we are from the old school and used to doing our own repairs, get great satisfaction when things go to plan, but sometimes we have to modify the plan LOL.

 

[daznmel]

Hi All,

Glad I did a bit of a search before posting my Tyre scrubbing problem. Found this thread.
My rear left tandem tyre is scrubbing out on the outside. There appears to be a bit of scalloping on the inside. The other three tyres are perfect.
Been scratching my head about this problem for a couple of days, and there is a lot of different information out there on what causes the problem. From wheel bearing issue, bent axles, out of alignment and the rear left tyre works hardest due to tight left turns.

As for the cause of my problem, I have no idea !!
I used a straight edge (The only thing I had, a crow bar), and appears it may be about (approx) 3 mm out alignment, toeing inwards. Then again what do I know, I am no suspension specialist. I have estimated I have done about 8000km to get this tyre to this point.

My problem biggest, I am about to head to QLD in two weeks.. Time is against me.
I will be ringing Jayco tomorrow to discuss this issue, however based on previous comments, they may not be best placed to fix this issue.
Anyone know, or recommend a place in Canberra that could re-align the axle ? or at least check it for me.

My fall back option, if can not get it fixed ( or looked at), is to drop the spare on, do the trip (approx 2500km), hope like hell it does not get worse.
Fix it on return, and maybe up for two new tyres on top of alignment.

Cheers

Daz

 

[Drover]

There is a Truck Alighn place in Fyshwick or is it Queenbeyan can't recall, just ring and see if you can get in before you go, Jayco at Queenbeyan are pretty good though but you need a place that knows what their doing not a bog standard tyre shop, not a big job but they need a decent workshop.
Otherwise look for a place on your travels, Toowoomba has a joint so does Emerald but rotate the tyre anyway.
tyre scrubbing from turning is a big trailer thing and happens on both sides usually with bad pressure and very tight turns or on driven wheels, vans is most often bad set up, having aggressive off road tread on a trailer will also chew the hell out of them but not just one, they dont like to be dragged around.

 

[bigcol]

as per @Drover take it to a truck tyre place - they should be able to help you

 

[daznmel]

Hi all,
Thanks for the comments and advice.
I ended up taking it to Canberra Truck Align in Queanbeyan.
Great team, who were able to book the Caravan in on Monday.
Not only was my left rear tyre out of align, but the right rear had a negative camber, so it was running on the inside edge.

All good now, and peace of mind for the trip to Qld,

Cheers

Daz.