Is there a full of thumb recommendation as to how often they should be serviced. We have a tandem axle van with roller rocker suspension. The van is almost two years old, however we were parked for twelve months at bone location. We moved the van approx every three months to avoid tyre flat spots. In total we estimate we have now travelled 10,000K. I have checked the wheels for loose bearings and all good. We have never been off the bitumen and just looking for helpful advice on service intervals.
Baz421 said
10:27 AM Sep 19, 2014
Hope this helpsBravehearts wrote:
Is there a full of thumb recommendation as to how often they should be serviced. We have a tandem axle van with roller rocker suspension. The van is almost two years old, however we were parked for twelve months at bone location. We moved the van approx every three months to avoid tyre flat spots. In total we estimate we have now travelled 10,000K. I have checked the wheels for loose bearings and all good. We have never been off the bitumen and just looking for helpful advice on service intervals.
Many advocate 12 monthy,,, why I don't know. Do you replace/repack car wheel bearings every 12 months? Do trucks get done that frequently??? Of course they don't.
Repacked our 3 tonne van last year, it was 7 years old then. Bearings still very good so just repacked. We don't drag it through water so that's not a factor for us.
I'm qualifies mechanic and have repacked hundred of bearings by hand and also used a packer, no problems.
Bottomline keep adjusted, keep out of water and should be OK for years. If you are worried it's easy to take wheels off and see if they are fully greased and go from there.
Hope this helps.
-- Edited by Baz421 on Friday 19th of September 2014 10:30:46 AM
Haji-Baba said
12:12 PM Sep 19, 2014
Hello Bravehearts,
if you have not already done so take a look at the bearings just to check all the split pins are in place.
My son had a brand new tandem boat trailer and one split pin was missing. How that wheel on the left side front did not come off is a mystery.
Jack up each side/wheel and give the wheels a good shake and spin to ensure they are not loose or too tight.
While you have the jack under I would take a look at the brakes, maybe after 10,000 ks' they could be in need of adjustment from new.
I usually do all my servicing at least once a year and don't expect problems on the road.
In my opinion bearings that are too tight may overheat and fail.
Have fun Haji-Baba
justcruisin01 said
12:28 PM Sep 19, 2014
Factories do not pack the fully, only giving them a smear just enough to get them out the door so to speak.
Repack them after a couple of thousand kls, then you know what you have in there & also have peace of mind.
JC
Bravehearts said
05:14 PM Sep 19, 2014
Thanks guys for your input, I think I will pull the wheels and brake drums off and repack the bearings, check and adjust the brakes if necessary and at least I will know where I am with it all.
David.
KFT said
05:54 PM Sep 19, 2014
Hi David, that is what I did and now when I check mine I find that only the brakes need adjusting. My bearings have been fine for around 25000km now. and are always cool when checked.
good advice from Justcruisin-knows his stuff.
frank
Gundog said
06:41 PM Sep 21, 2014
Whilst we are on the subject of Bearings.
Up until I sold my Boat I ran oil filled hubs (Sea Bears System) never had a bearing fail either.
What your thoughts of running oil fill hubs on a Van.
Aus-Kiwi said
11:09 PM Sep 21, 2014
Ok if seals can hold .. Had bearing savers on boat trailer ..
_wombat_ said
08:23 AM Sep 22, 2014
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Ok if seals can hold .. Had bearing savers on boat trailer ..
I have been using bearing buddies on my van for over 11 years, originally I had to be careful of the seals popping off of the rear but about 4 years ago I changed the buddies to the type with a small hole in the side, this small hole let out a small amount of grease so that I knew the hub was full.
the oil filled ones are a newer version and have not used that type.
Countrytech said
08:21 PM Sep 23, 2014
Repacked mine a few weeks ago - but can anyone explain why the split pins are installed from the bottom. To my lack of knowledge this would seem to be a/.e about face.
Baz421 said
10:02 PM Sep 23, 2014
Countrytech wrote:
Repacked mine a few weeks ago - but can anyone explain why the split pins are installed from the bottom. To my lack of knowledge this would seem to be a/.e about face.
Mechanic lazy,,, it's easier to work on if you spilt em at the top, rather than bend over.
oldbobsbus said
08:26 AM Sep 26, 2014
Baz421 wrote:
Countrytech wrote:
Repacked mine a few weeks ago - but can anyone explain why the split pins are installed from the bottom. To my lack of knowledge this would seem to be a/.e about face.
Mechanic lazy,,, it's easier to work on if you spilt em at the top, rather than bend over.
Ummmmmmm there is another reason for putting then in from the bottom...
you can see when the hole is lined up and adjust the nut accordingly so the pin doesn't get caught coming out of the axle..
aussietraveller said
06:21 PM Sep 27, 2014
over several vans and a large number of years I have checked and occasionally repacked bearings prior to extended travel never had a problem I agree with others when was the last time you repacked the bearings on the tug.
prior to our recent trip to NT and FNQ I figured it was time to pay some more serious attention to the tug as we were going into some remote areas, Tug was going great at the time with no issues but one should not take risks so get the local mechanic who is usually very good the service including parts etc cost around $1865, it has been an absolute nightmare and to date an additional $2200 and problems still not resolved so my simple advice is if its not broke don't play with it and stuff it up and do not trust mechanics recommended by Friends, I will go back to doing basic servicing myself.
Many advocate 12 monthy,,, why I don't know. Do you replace/repack car wheel bearings every 12 months? Do trucks get done that frequently??? Of course they don't.
Repacked our 3 tonne van last year, it was 7 years old then. Bearings still very good so just repacked. We don't drag it through water so that's not a factor for us.
I'm qualifies mechanic and have repacked hundred of bearings by hand and also used a packer, no problems.
Bottomline keep adjusted, keep out of water and should be OK for years. If you are worried it's easy to take wheels off and see if they are fully greased and go from there.
Hope this helps.
-- Edited by Baz421 on Friday 19th of September 2014 10:30:46 AM
if you have not already done so take a look at the bearings just to check all the split pins are in place.
My son had a brand new tandem boat trailer and one split pin was missing. How that wheel on the left side front did not come off is a mystery.
Jack up each side/wheel and give the wheels a good shake and spin to ensure they are not loose or too tight.
While you have the jack under I would take a look at the brakes, maybe after 10,000 ks' they could be in need of adjustment from new.
I usually do all my servicing at least once a year and don't expect problems on the road.
In my opinion bearings that are too tight may overheat and fail.
Have fun Haji-Baba
Factories do not pack the fully, only giving them a smear just enough to get them out the door so to speak.
Repack them after a couple of thousand kls, then you know what you have in there & also have peace of mind.
JC
good advice from Justcruisin-knows his stuff.
frank
Up until I sold my Boat I ran oil filled hubs (Sea Bears System) never had a bearing fail either.
What your thoughts of running oil fill hubs on a Van.
I have been using bearing buddies on my van for over 11 years, originally I had to be careful of the seals popping off of the rear but about 4 years ago I changed the buddies to the type with a small hole in the side, this small hole let out a small amount of grease so that I knew the hub was full.
the oil filled ones are a newer version and have not used that type.
Mechanic lazy,,, it's easier to work on if you spilt em at the top, rather than bend over.
Ummmmmmm there is another reason for putting then in from the bottom...
you can see when the hole is lined up and adjust the nut accordingly so the pin doesn't get caught coming out of the axle..
prior to our recent trip to NT and FNQ I figured it was time to pay some more serious attention to the tug as we were going into some remote areas, Tug was going great at the time with no issues but one should not take risks so get the local mechanic who is usually very good the service including parts etc cost around $1865, it has been an absolute nightmare and to date an additional $2200 and problems still not resolved so my simple advice is if its not broke don't play with it and stuff it up and do not trust mechanics recommended by Friends, I will go back to doing basic servicing myself.