Camper Jam Fail, Bearing? :(

[Omegaman]

Hello,

Relatively new T25 owner, seeking advice.

After a cracking weekend at Camper Jam (our first show and only second outing in our new (old) van), we had a 'bit' of an issue on the way home. If possible I would like a bit of advice as to what I should be looking for with my problem.

As I was driving to the show, in the last 20 miles or so I developed a speed related 'squeak' which sounded a bit like rubber (not bearing like but more on that later), coming from the front (side TBD), which disappeared prior to getting to the show. I had a poke around but couldn't see anything obvious. After enjoying the festivities we set off home last night.

Whilst driving up the A449 towards the motorway at Stafford the squeak returned, which was rapidly accompanied by what can only be described as a grinding, which I could also feel as vibration under my pedals (Right hand drive). This then got louder over the next 10 seconds before it stopped and the camper van lurched right.

Hazards on and stopping safely, I noticed that a small amount of smoke was coming from the centre of the (driver side) wheel and it was noticeably warm (no smoke without fire ).

3 hours waiting for a recovery van (at least I could put the kettle on) and a nice piggy back home to Lancashire I am now going to have a look at it prior to the MOT which is due this month.

Does anyone have an suggestions as to what to look for? Brakes binding? Wheel bearing? I will jack up and check for any play in the wheel but is there anything else I should look for whilst poking around?

Many thanks for any assistance in advance.

[sternal]

Ive no idea what it is but what worries me is you bought a van with almost no MOT !? I really hope you don't get any nasty surprises coming your way it could really ruin your fun...

Fingers crossed all okay with the van and the MOT

[silverbullet]

Overtightened wheel bearing failure.

[Omegaman]

Ive no idea what it is but what worries me is you bought a van with almost no MOT !? I really hope you don't get any nasty surprises coming your way it could really ruin your fun...

Fingers crossed all okay with the van and the MOT

Thanks, I expect some aspect of being a mney pit, I have owned and restored minis and they are also like the forth rail bridge This is just it's big brother!

We bought it back in march with 5 months MOT, (loads of history with it also) done around 800 miles so far, so not too worried about nasty surprises, a couple of bits I know I need to look at plus this, all round a good van just rough around the edges (the thick (old) paint has protected the body).

[Omegaman]

Thank you for the comments,

I have gone and ordered some bearings as I want to change the brake discs prior to MOT, then I know the state of them myself and can work from that baseline.

It seemed a fairly certain response regarding overtightening by Silverbullet, I was sold! What can I do to not overtighten these myself?

[silverbullet]

I took it as read that it is 2wd van?
The squealing was the bearing rollers starting to skid in their tracks, from then on it was a short road to welding themselves together. I expect you will find a blue/black/rainbow coloured mess in there.

Front wheel bearings should be set with end float 0.06 - 0.08mm, once set the nut has a lip that is punched down into a groove in the stub axle to fix the setting (do not re-use an old hub nut)

A dial indicator is essential unless highly experienced

[Omegaman]

Yes, it is a 2wd van.

Thanks for that, I will get the bits and hopefully its not too welded!

Might keep it as a souvenir paperweight!

Thanks again, will let you know how I get on

[HarryMann]

I'd jack it up and spin all 4 wheels then rock them laterally and top to bottom and in/out first then report back.
Expect the rears to rock laterally and maybe in/out. .. h/brake off then see how many clicks to get rears locking wheels.
Sounds like an iffy PO to me... bearings dont 'just fail' without making a fuss for a good while... if that indeed is what it is. Take a good look around everything.. these are two ton vans that can do a lot of damage if they hit something... very different in almost every respect to a mini - including correct driving style!

[Omegaman]

I'd jack it up and spin all 4 wheels then rock them laterally and top to bottom and in/out first then report back.
Expect the rears to rock laterally and maybe in/out. .. h/brake off then see how many clicks to get rears locking wheels.
Sounds like an iffy PO to me... bearings dont 'just fail' without making a fuss for a good while... if that indeed is what it is. Take a good look around everything.. these are two ton vans that can do a lot of damage if they hit something... very different in almost every respect to a mini - including correct driving style!

Thank you for the response, just for the hard of thinking can you clarify what a PO is so I can look for an iffy one please.

[marlinowner]

PO = Previous owner

[discipleofsketch]

Ive no idea what it is but what worries me is you bought a van with almost no MOT !?

One lesson that I learned years ago is that a fresh MOT can be meaningless - I once bought a 1972 beetle from a secondhand car dealer in gloucestershire on the basis that it would come with 12 months MOT, thinking that would mean it was in good roadworthy condition. How very wrong I was!

I suspect the garage issuing the MOT belonged to his mate and because I wasn't local they just gave it a pass, despite the fact that the brakes barely worked at all (as I discovered on the M5 a while later). In retrospect I should have taken it straight back and threatened legal action, but at the time I was too excited by my new car...

Anyway, just an anecdote - good luck sorting your wheel bearing and hope you have many years fun with your new bus!

[Omegaman]

Thank you to all!

the previous owner was very naïve on the engineering front so could have been taken for a ride by a garage.

I agree that MOT's not gained by you are not worth the paper they are printed on, only gives you a year to find out what is up with it! Similarly avoid fresh paint!

I accepted that 4-5 months MOT is fine and being of an engineering background felt that it wouldn't be too hard to spot a pup, the van is actually very honest with itself, which is what I liked!

Bearings and Brakes arrived so guess what I am doing at the weekend!

Pictures and progress will be uploaded, hoping for more camper fun! (in it for the long haul - I have lots of patience and I don't get bored too easily!)

[Omegaman]

Definitely the bearing gone, as soon as I removed the centre dust cap some bits and swarf fell out!

Slight snag however, It took a good while to loosen the wheel bolts with heat and finally got jacked up. Started with the duff side, managed to remove the brake pads (look like girling units (D reg April 87)). The issue I am now stuck on is that I can't remove the pair of 22mm caliper carrier bolts in order to remove the disc. Any tips? tried some heat (but might need more) so have resorted to a good soak of WD40 overnight, any little tricks possible you guys know of?

At least it looks like after loosening the hubnut the bearing remnants aren't welded to the stub axle!

[silverbullet]

Go easy on the heat.
Impact socket, T-bar and a length of kee-klamp handrail tube should do it.
Tried the usual ring spanner and Thor #2 copper + strong language?

[clift_d]

WD40 is useless. Get yourself some PlusGas and soak it in that.