My iba uses about 20 super swivels and the originals lasted about 4 years, the new replacements are only lasting about 9 months to 1 year. Just wondering why this would be, anyone else notice this problem?
Well, lets see, my auto has...1...2....3....4....uhhh 14 swivels, most are super swivels, some are an off brand. Doesn't seem to make a difference which one I use as they all seem to last about the same...which is never long enough. Some are easy to change, some are a real pain in the a$$. On average, I get about 1-1/2 years out of them. I think this is pretty good as my auto stays very busy. Over 110,000 washes in 5 years.
Super Swivels can be negatively affected by movement in the line that is not in the same direction as the swivel is designed to turn.
For instance a straight through swivel that is being jerked side to side (as opposed to just turning) will fail prematurely.
Based on your description I would look at bearings, clamps, etc, as applicable to your swivels, things that hold the lines in place and ensure that any forces being exerted on the swivels are only in the direction that the swivels are designed to turn. As machines break in over time bearings will loosen and wear out, clamps will loosen, etc.
Super Swivels can be negatively affected by movement in the line that is not in the same direction as the swivel is designed to turn.
For instance a straight through swivel that is being jerked side to side (as opposed to just turning) will fail prematurely.
Based on your description I would look at bearings, clamps, etc, as applicable to your swivels, things that hold the lines in place and ensure that any forces being exerted on the swivels are only in the direction that the swivels are designed to turn. As machines break in over time bearings will loosen and wear out, clamps will loosen, etc.
The Laserwashes I work on all have super swivels. Years ago I bought a swivel alignment tool from PDQ,to go though the block,(or in later models bearings) ,and into the swivel. All you do is slide the tool through the block ,and into the swivel ,and tighten the block down.
In using the tool ,I found that on machines with a higher swivel failure rate,the block ,or bearings were wearing out.Generally I could replace the block ,or bearing ,and get some more life out of the swivel.