VI investigates wheel losses
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• The Vehicle Inspectorate is investigating eight cases of wheel loss on ERFs fitted with 562 or S63 Kirkstall steered axles, following a call from the Road Haulage Association.
In a letter to the VI, the RHA's technical manager Bob Stacey says he has had "numerous" reports of bearings failing in Kirkstall axles, and some cases where a wheel loss has resulted.
He says the problem "warrants a recall of all vehicles fitted with the Kirkstall axle", which uses bearings manufactured by a Japanese company called NTN.
The VI confirms that it launched a probe on 20 September after a Tankfreight-owned ERE' lost a wheel in July. Since then the RHA has reported six similar incidents.
The association has not yet "found evidence to indicate that a recall is necessary", but as a precaution, it urges operators to make sure that front wheel bearings and end floats are checka according to the manufacturer's instructions.
ERF has hit back at the RHA, saying it has been singled out unfairly, as other manufacturers, including Foden and Seddon Atkinson, also use Kirkstall axles. "It annoys us," says marketing director Rod England. "The RHA is being alarmist. A number of front axle bearings have failed due to problems with routine mainte nance," England says, but he stresses that provided wheels are maintained properly, there is not a problem.
He recommends that wheels on vehicles without anti-lock brakes should have their end float tightened to a tolerance of up to 0.15mm (0.006in) or up to 0.10mm (0.004in) when antilock brakes are fitted.
All ERFs are fitted with axles made by Kirkstall, which is a division of the Leeds-based specialist GKN.
GKN confirms that there has been "some evidence of failure" but says it is most likely a service problem. "We wouldn't want any operator to be alarmed," it adds.
LII ERF is putting its dealers' parts staff through Cummins engine courses in a bid to stop its customers going for spares to rival Seddon Atkinson or Foden distributors.
The Sandbach-based firm says it is the first truck manufacturer to put its staff through the Cummins-approved training programme. It believes it will make them better qualified on the Cummins engine than its competitors' employees.
About 80% of ERF's trucks are fitted with Cummins engines.
Distributors which have already put staff through the courses include Reliance of Brighouse, Beech's Garage of Stoke and Sellers and Batty of Peterborough.