Dunno what the 'standard' is ... but my van does about 15,000km each year (I travel full-time). I get a 'chassis service' each January - wheel bearings checked, re-packed and adjusted, brakes checked and adjusted, all chassis examined for anything 'loose' and anything that needs 'lubrication' is lubricated.
The van has now done about 75,000km and is still on the original wheel bearings. Last service I needed new brake magnets, and I asked them to replace the drums as well, although they said they were "OK". [edit: my van is 2,600kg over the scales]
I have always been one to service my vehicles more frequently because I believe service costs are cheap insurance rather than a failure which usually means big expense with the usual big inconvenience.
Others, I am sure, will have other, and probably, differing advice.
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Tuesday 10th of September 2013 08:18:36 PM
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Hi can I get some advise on service intervals for wheel bearings & brakes We are a caravan almost 3 ton .
Some details off distance, age, & conditions of travell would help. In dirt, dust mud & water crossings they need to be checked on a regular basis.
If its a reasonably new van then I personally would service the bearings & seals, having many years in the trade newer vehicles only get a look at the grease tin, in other words they only just smear the bearings with grease to get them out the door. It seems to be a new idear that less is better, I put it down to cost cutting. I still do it the old way, that is to fully pack the bearings & the hub as well, then there is no chance of them running dry & IF you do water crossings there is less room for water to be trapped in the hub.
Same with brakes in dirty conditions, they need regular checks & service. IF in dought, service them all & then you know what you have got.
JC.
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Be your self; there's no body better qualified ! "I came into this world with nothing , I still have most of it"
I go with the others on this. I recently had occasion to return my van to the makers to have some er,panel beating shall we say! when I picked it up the guy asked how many Kays I had done, 4000 I said .Well he said when you go home make sure you remove every thing down to the stub axles and re-grease ,air clean all parts etc.,refit and adjust brakes .He suggested that I do it the same time every year after that regardless of kays.Its like changing the oil in the car ...its real cheap but can save a lot of drama .Cheers
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Westy. Some people I know are like slinkies. They look really funny when you push them downstairs !
Well the front wheel bearings on the tow vehicles usually get serviced at 40K intervals , I reckon van bearings should be similar ...... depends on use .
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HAPPINESS is a journey, not a destination.
So work like you don't need the money,
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Most modern RWD cars now have sealed for life front wheel bearings - same for imported caravans. If a bearing goes you replace the hub and bearings, though generally they last the life of the car.
But to the OP, I'm with Westy - once a year.
A lot depends on how loaded your van is. My van was a little overloaded and the bearings in the 1600b kg axle were flaking at 20,000km. I changed the axle for sa 2 tonne one and have not had to replace bearings since.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Have traveled over 180,000 km in my 14 year old 21'6" tandem axle Jayco Westport.
Still has original bearings & breaks (shoes, drums & magnets).
I check & repack the bearings after every 'big' trip .. circa 10,000k or at least 6 monthly if I have done only short trips. Easy to do as I put the van on axle stands if at home for a month or more. I never do off bitumen driving & the van is relatively lightly loaded.
I too, use the old method & fill up the whole space with all new grease each time after checking the bearings for discoloration & smooth spinning.
I clean & adjust the breaks when I do the bearings. (I use the old 'ching' method of adjusting the breaks, not the 13 click back off way). I always use the engine to break when coming down ranges.
ps. On the subject of wheel bearings, I have just had the Patrol's front bearings checked & repacked for the first time in 260,000 km. I expected to have to replace them but the very experienced 4WD mechanic said they were OK.
-- Edited by Cupie on Sunday 15th of September 2013 07:32:37 PM
Anyone with a new van needs to check the bearings mate had a brand new van and the wheel bearings failed and when the mech looked at there was only the transit grease which they pack them in at manufacture so much for the pre- delivery servicing done by the dealer
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