Front Near Side Suspension Bolt Issue

[maxstu]

I can start by saying we had a very lucky escape.
Driving back from a day trip to Dungeness l heard what l though was road debris making a loud thump under the camper.
Continued home without another thought.
That was last Thursday.
Today l was in and out of the camper side door, giving it a clean up inside for pending trip to Chichester. On my final exit for the day l noticed near side front wheel at a very slight yet strange angle. As if the front camber was set at 10% negative. A visual investigation revealed this.....

A very close one. Will be sorting that tomorrow. M12 nyloc nut l think? Would a forum user confirm size please. M12 x 1.25 pitch?
Regards
Stuart

[Robsey]

Looking at the Brickwerks site, it states that the bolt that they sell is M12 x 1.5 x 110 long.
It is 5mm longer than standard to allow for a "full" nyloc nut to be fitted.

So in response I would say - yes it is M12 x 1.5mm,
But I would also say that you need either a self locking nut and a shake proof washer, or
A shake proof washer and a low-profile nyloc nut.

If it has been rattling around loose for a while, I would check the condition of the bolt... and replace that too, if you are in any doubt about rub marks, gouges, corrosion etc...

If you do replace the bolt, consider getting the longer bolt and a full nyloc nut - for that extra bit of 'peace of mind'.

And if you are a bit o.c.d. like me, probably check the pivot bolt, nut and so on on the off-side wishbone arm.

UPDATE - On the next page, Brickwerks list a M12 x 1.5mm self locking nut.
In my opinion not quite a secure as a Nyloc nut, but way safer than a plain nut.

I think Brickwerks also sell wavy washers for that purpose.

[Stesaw]

I can start by saying we had a very lucky escape.
Driving back from a day trip to Dungeness l heard what l though was road debris making a loud thump under the camper.
Continued home without another thought.
That was last Thursday.
Today l was in and out of the camper side door, giving it a clean up inside for pending trip to Chichester. On my final exit for the day l noticed near side front wheel at a very slight yet strange angle. As if the front camber was set at 10% negative. A visual investigation revealed this.....

A very close one. Will be sorting that tomorrow. M12 nyloc nut l think? Would a forum user confirm size please. M12 x 1.25 pitch?
Regards
Stuart

You're having lots of fun recently stu.

[slowcoach]

that could have been veery bad! Had you disturbed it recently at all?

[TONYT25T25]

Just checked mine and all secure, if anything I think they will be difficult to undo as they appear to be well fixed in place.

[maxstu]

I replaced the bushes in July last year. I did the whole front suspension and steering.
Im pretty certain l torqued up everything to manual specification. Perhaps l missed this one. Have check bolt today. It's fine to use for now. Jack under arm. Lined it up with hole and knocked through suspension mount. Added a new bolt with thread lock. Yet will change to longer bolts and add nylocs too.
We did hit an unseen speed bump recently, causing suspension to top and bottom out. My fault entirely. The white markings were worn away. A bit of a washboard ride for sure, chucking myself, Maxine and four dogs all over the inside of the camper! A Yeeeehaa moment.
Yep Steve..the small issues keep biting me... testing times indeed. Also changed this last year around April or May. 4k miles later??

[Stesaw]

When it rains it pours I guess 

[maxstu]

Please dont mention rain! I get nervous.
It reminds me of my last trip to Chichester. The time my camper failed...again. Crappy hire car and sleeping in a very humid conservatory with constant rain pounding off its plastic roof and bright daylight by 0400hrs.
Going to Chichester tomorrow for three days sailing. Please let my camper get there safely.

[Mocki]

that’s modern fake rubber for you . 
it just high lights how petrol pipe breaks down when a huge chunk like that has in only a very short period of time 

[maxstu]

That reminds me. Im going to order a Brickwerks complete fuel line kit when l order new bolts and nylocs for the suspension arms. And now a spare suspension bush too!

[maxstu]

that’s modern fake rubber for you . 
it just high lights how petrol pipe breaks down when a huge chunk like that has in only a very short period of time 

Both sides showing splits now. Are these MOT failures?

Near side....



Off side....

[Stesaw]

Might be an advisory as there's only one split and the rest looks fine, but I guess it depends on the guy doing the mot.

[maxstu]

Hi Steve.
Thanks for taking time to reply.
Ive order two replacements. Pretty peeved they lasted just 5k max. Or just over a year.
And of course its not the nice and easy to replace outer bush. The inners' are a pain. Least it should come apart easily. Will start with measuring exposed threads.

[slowcoach]

Hi Steve.
Thanks for taking time to reply.
Ive order two replacements. Pretty peeved they lasted just 5k max. Or just over a year.
And of course its not the nice and easy to replace outer bush. The inners' are a pain. Least it should come apart easily. Will start with measuring exposed threads.

the only upside being you know the rod will come out, if it was just 5k ago did you choose powerflex ones this time?
 

[maxstu]

Hi Steve.
Thanks for taking time to reply.
Ive order two replacements. Pretty peeved they lasted just 5k max. Or just over a year.
And of course its not the nice and easy to replace outer bush. The inners' are a pain. Least it should come apart easily. Will start with measuring exposed threads.

the only upside being you know the rod will come out, if it was just 5k ago did you choose powerflex ones this time?
 

Hopefully
Nope. Not a great believer in them. Nor the price. I did add them to PAS steering rack purely for ease of fitness though.
As the outer and spacers are new too, lm just going to fit new inners.