Hi,
I have some questions regarding changing an axle. Perhaps someone has gone through this experience.
When they say change the axle, do they mean replace the whole assembly: axle, bearings, hubs, backing plate, brake linings, electric brake actuators. Or do they just remove all this stuff, replace only the axle and reassemble all the other bits?
In either case, is this really a straightforward task, with a high percentage chance that there will be no flow-on problems
with bearings, seals, wheel alignment, brake adjustments etc? Or should I expect it will be going back continuously with on-going problems related to the axle replacement?
I rang Al-Ko. They had a batch of 30 axles delivered to Jayco where some had faulty welding. By noting the time
of delivery, Jayco determined that they could have only been fitted to, at most, 200 Jayco vans.
To get further information, I was put through to the person handling the recall at Al-Ko, but got a voice message.
He hasn't returned the call.
I am thinking about pursing a longer warranty period from Al-Ko for the replacment axle: say from two years to five, or better still, a lifelong warranty for the original owner. Does this seem unreasonable?
I couldn't find a reference to this problem on the recall website.
Sorry for the rant. I bought a Jayco knowing that there were likely to be some problems that would need to be fixed.
However, I never expected to be having a major mechanical / safety problem, nor having the problem
before I even took delivery. It sure has taken the rosy glow off what was meant to be an exciting purchase
and a pleasant introduction into semi-retirement.
Maybe I am not cut out for caravaning and should stick to the far simpler back packing and car camping we have done
for the past 20 or so years. But we were lent a luxurious 6-berth motor home for 5 weeks to explore the coasts of Brittany and we caught the bug!!! The Penguin was a test case for determining what we would need when we had to invest real money.
regards
Mike
