Al-KO rear axle (1 Viewer)

[RonnieJ]

I noticed a few days ago that my Elldis Autostratus 6 berth motorhome was leaning a bit to the nearside.
Although there have been no symptoms of any problems and nothing has happened to make me think there is a serious problem I am concerned that my rear axle might need re-building. It is well greased by the way.
I have air-ride suspension and have leveled it at the moment while I try to find what to do about it.
There is no-one in my area who seems to know anything about Al-ko axles and although I have made dozens of phone calls to places found online am still getting nowhere at all. Most people saying they will look into it and ring me back but so far no-one has.
We are due to go away in it in 3 weeks time and although it is only about 30 miles away am worried that if there is a problem, it could be a big mistake to go.
Any help or advice will be welcome. Thanks.

 

[maz]

You might already have tried them but the Al-Ko site lists 2 service centres in Norfolk:

Broken Link Removed

Greentrees and M&G Leisure.

HTH

 

[Mikemoss]

Hi RonnieJ

Our 1998 Bessacarr (also on an AlKo) also has a slight list to port but drives, steers and rides just fine. From what I've read on here and elsewhere, a broken torsion bar inside the axle results in pretty significant noise and dodgy handling, quite apart from anything else.

If it feels OK, it probably is. Hope so at any rate!

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[flatpackchicken]

I know it may be a long shot but give SV Tec (Steve 01772 621800 ) a call as they are very good for ALL air suspension stuff, I know they are up in Leyland Lancashire (miles away) but may be worth a trip up there if they can sort you out, they have helped out many funsters on here and are at most of the shows as well, Regards Garry Flatpackchicken

http://www.svtech.co.uk/

01772 621800

 

[maz]

Our 1998 Bessacarr (also on an AlKo) also has a slight list to port but drives, steers and rides just fine.

Good point. I was reading the OP as the van had developed a noticeable list but perhaps that's not the case. Is the van new to you Ronnie?

My previous van was a Burstner on an Al-Ko chassis and that leant to the right. Nothing wrong with the rear axles - it was just made that way. Maybe because the fridge/freezer, oven and other heavy stuff was all on that side of the van? Current van is also on an Al-Ko chassis but that sits square.

 

[icantremember]

We also have an AlKo chassis which certainly works and drives very well but I don't know where I would go if we had a major problem with the axle.

The majority of engineers listed as service agents are not interested in the motorhome chassis or axle .... I can recommend M&G Leisure (Mike), as suggested by Maz, as I use him for habitation service but he won't touch the chassis or even grease the axle.

Greentrees I can't recommend as I have had bad experiences with them but I don't know if they would touch the AlKo axle but I doubt it.

I would suggest contacting AlKo direct for advice. ..... http://www.al-ko.co.uk/

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[JeanLuc]

Why not contact Al-Ko and ask for advice. You could explain that some of the dealers on their web-finder seem not to cover motorhome chassis.
The Al-Ko phone number is not on their website but they appear to have two inbound numbers at the Southam UK headquarters (it's about 10 miles north of me).

Al-Ko Kober Limited
Tel: (01926) 258006
Kineton Road, Southam, CV47 0AL

Al-Ko Kober
Tel: (01926) 818500
South Warwickshire Bsns Pk, Southam, CV47 0AL

 

[RonnieJ]

Good point. I was reading the OP as the van had developed a noticeable list but perhaps that's not the case. Is the van new to you Ronnie?

Its a 1999, only done 20,000 miles and I have had it for 5-6 years. There are no unexpected noises or sounds and still drives as it has always done since I have had it.
I am going to empty the side locker tomorrow and see if it makes a difference.
Its possible that it has always leaned a bit but I have never noticed it before.
The nearside is 1 and 1/2 inches lower than the offside.

 

[TheBig1]

each side of the axle has 3 torsion bars, and if one of them fails you dont always feel a difference in handling. problem is though that it puts increased pressure on the other 2 bars

this is often but not always linked to not greasing the axle yearly in the correct way. many garages have absolutely no idea how to do it and just grease the nipples with the axle still under load. to do it correctly you need to lift the chassis until the wheels hang down and are just clear of the floor. this needs to be done yearly. too many people have no idea and just presume the garage or dealer knows exactly how to do it right. have seen service histories where the garage has mentioned greasing the axle but it still failed. on checking it was done the wrong way

as for a van on an alko chassis with a list, I wouldnt touch it with a bargepole and recomend you get it fixed as soon as possible. all it would take is one pothole for the axle to completely fail. that would make for an extremely expensive repair with replacement axle. I understand there are a couple of companies specialise in refurbish damaged ones but they cant fix a total failure

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[jb0371old]

greentrees, would never go there again ever, dont even look at the site when i drive past on the a47.

prob tell i had a bad experiance with them destroying and not taking responsibility but will charge extortionate rate to fix there clumsiness people:Angry:

sorry cant help with the alko problem

 

[Reallyretired]

[HI]Its a 1999, only done 20,000 miles[/HI] and I have had it for 5-6 years. There are no unexpected noises or sounds and still drives as it has always done since I have had it.
I am going to empty the side locker tomorrow and see if it makes a difference.
Its possible that it has always leaned a bit but I have never noticed it before.
The nearside is 1 and 1/2 inches lower than the offside.

Only 20,000 miles in 15 years Perhaps its been parked up for years on a side slope.

 

[barrybus]

Alco axle

Well I had the dreaded torsion bar go on my 98 swift.
I tried to have it repaired locally but to no avail,I ended up getting it done in north Wales (the nearest place to me I live in Cambridge) great service not cheap.On my model which I believe goes up to 2001 its a single torsion bar.
When mine was at the tilting stage it made a noise like a pistol shot but still drove ok.I think its best to get it checked as soon as possible as its the only thing holding your wheel on, if it snaps the bar just slides out.Be careful and good luck.
Barry

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