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Subject Topic: Has my hitch damper failed Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonJohnboy004809
01/9/2022 at 7:31pm
 Location: Portland Dorset
 Outfit: Pennine Pathfinder View Johnboy004809's Profile View Profile   Reply to Johnboy004809 Reply   Quote Johnboy004809 Quote  
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Hi all, on our return journey from holiday mt wife had to brake hard on the motorway because two idiots were racing and cutting everyone up (dashcam footage sent to police). Any way they was a loud bang from the pathfinder and it jolted the car quite harshly. now when we pull away there is a clunk sound and the same when braking. The damper still has resistance pushing it in and pulling it out but if its pushed in it no longer returns its self to the outward position and just stays compressed.

Anyone have advise if this needs to be replaced

if the damper has failed and needs replacing then has anyone done this on a pathfinder. the plastic cover looks like its held on by the front bed support which is riveted to the frame.

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j fieldsend


Personmarg6
01/9/2022 at 8:04pm
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check to see if it just needs refilling with grease


PersonJohnboy004809
via mobile 01/9/2022 at 8:19pm
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Hi marg6 is that through the grease nipple on the top?




Post last edited on 01/09/2022 20:26:50

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j fieldsend


Personmarg6
01/9/2022 at 8:49pm
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yup! it wont harm it and worth a try


PersonJohnboy004809
28/9/2023 at 1:34pm
 Location: Portland Dorset
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Hi marg6, sorry i didn't reply but took your advice and greased the draw bar, unfortunately the damper still fails to return to the front position and remains compressed.

think its a case of replacing the damper, if any one knows the spec of the damper for a 2006 pathfinder, thanks

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j fieldsend


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Persontango55
28/9/2023 at 10:00pm
 Location: Lichfield
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The clunking sound is related to the caravan brake shoes not being set up properly as the brakes shoes are too far away from the internal circumference of the brake drum. When the hitch damper compresses under force it immediately activates the brakes which the shoes should make contact with the drums before the damper fully compresses which is the clunking sound you can hear.


Personbilly
via mobile 29/9/2023 at 9:12am
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Same as what I had. After emergency stop my caravan was doing exactly as you describe. Removed damper & found front eye had broken off piston shaft.

I bought a new genuine Alko damper for £85 & noticed there is now a far stronger weld eye to piston rod than previously so Alko must have identified this as a problem.


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Every day should be a holiday!


Personbilly
via mobile 29/9/2023 at 11:38am
 Location: North Essex
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If you remove plastic cowling from A frame you can read the info off the hitch body. For example mine is Alko 161s. Whatever yours is search online with that number. Should give you correct damper. There are other numbers on hitch body you might need. Do your online homework to get correct damper. Then shop around for suppliers. I got mine from Taunton Trailers £85 for genuine Alko. Other suppliers wanted over £100.

You can find pattern dampers made by Stabilus for half that price but I went for genuine Alko.

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Every day should be a holiday!


PersonJohnboy004809
29/9/2023 at 1:03pm
 Location: Portland Dorset
 Outfit: Pennine Pathfinder View Johnboy004809's Profile View Profile   Reply to Johnboy004809 Reply   Quote Johnboy004809 Quote  
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Thanks tango55, but I have literally just stripped down all the brakes and fitted new shoes then adjusted up so the brakes were just catching then backed then off five clicks. the connecting rods lock nuts had backed off so adjusted them back up, this did stop the clunking noise as you suggested but it does still knock when we pull away and the damper wont return itself.

thanks billy for the advice ill remove the plastic but think its rvited on so will need to get a rivet gun to fit it back on

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j fieldsend



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