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Subject Topic: Alko hitchlock creaking Post Reply Post New Topic
Persondebs3380
30/5/2010 at 6:48pm
 Location: Cumbria
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Don't know if anyone can help but just bought a new caravan
which is fitted with a alko hitchlock I had to get the towball changed
on my car to use this, when I towed caravan for the first time tonight
it was creaking a lot when I was turning the corner and when I stopped there was a smell of burning. Just wondered if this was normal or is something wrong. Thanks please help


PersonEddie12
30/5/2010 at 7:02pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
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Did you remove ALL paint from the tow-ball and clean it well before you hitched up? It sounds as though you may have a wee bit of contamination on the pads.


Persondebs3380
30/5/2010 at 7:10pm
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The ball came with paint on it is it not supposed to have any of this on


PersonEddie12
30/5/2010 at 7:18pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
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Definitely not. The ball must be cleaned right down to the bare metal. To do this, use fine emery-paper (it takes time and effort, but has to be done), and then clean if off thoroughly with Brake Cleaner (Halfords sell it in a spray can).
You also need to do this with the stabiliser pads, since they will most definitely be contaminated now - probably easier done if you remove them.


PersonEddie12
30/5/2010 at 8:18pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
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Quote: Originally posted by debs3380 on 30/5/2010
The ball came with paint on it is it not supposed to have any of this on

Sorry, just to clarify - a good number of towballs do come painted, and this is quite normal, but the paint MUST be removed if it's being used with a stabiliser hitch.


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Personarkaig
04/6/2010 at 7:50pm
 Location: Livingston Scotland
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Mine came painted too, I asked the installer if he could do the biz on it, he was all to please to help.  Yes, the paint must come off, and the pads could be needing replaced on the hitch.  A Van service will usually take care of the pads though. 


PersonJoanne1
27/6/2010 at 10:33pm
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Our Alko is creaking too, we recently changed cars and bought a new towbar, the new detachable tow ball is not painted but we are now getting an awful creaking noise which we did'nt get before, can anybody help?

 

 

 


Personmichael
28/6/2010 at 9:41am
 Location: Lancashire
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hi see

es your stabiliser creak and groan?



-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


PersonjamesA114
28/6/2010 at 1:12pm
 Location: south staffordshire
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I have had the same issue last year. The new towball looked free from paint but actually had a translucent layer one which once removed stopped the creaking. See alko's website on how to remove pads to clean as Michael recommended to me last time.

I now clean pads and towball each time with brake cleaner.



Personbrianconwy
28/6/2010 at 7:19pm
 Location: north wales
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I take it its the stabiliser creaking and not the hitchlock,  Personally I don't drive with the hitchlock fitted, although I don't think it should affect towing.


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Personrovin-rab
29/6/2010 at 8:22pm
 Location: kilmarnock ayrshire
 Outfit: sterling 480-4 + 2.2 vauxhall omega View rovin-rab's Profile View Profile   Reply to rovin-rab Reply   Quote rovin-rab Quote  
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hi all. I am also experiencing the same creaking from my alko stabiliser but my problem only started after i had a wheel come off the van whilst on M25 i have cleaned both towball and pads to no avail and the only way to stop it creaking is to tow with stabiliser disconnected when going onto sites as it is embarrasing with all the noise that comes off it.


PersonEddie12
29/6/2010 at 9:16pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
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Quote: Originally posted by rovin-rab on 29/6/2010
hi all. I am also experiencing the same creaking from my alko stabiliser but my problem only started after i had a wheel come off the van whilst on M25 i have cleaned both towball and pads to no avail and the only way to stop it creaking is to tow with stabiliser disconnected when going onto sites as it is embarrasing with all the noise that comes off it.

It's possible that your pads have been contaminated by dust/dirt, when your wheel came off. Probably worth removing the pads to give them a proper clean, or alternatively, just renew them.


Personrovin-rab
29/6/2010 at 9:32pm
 Location: kilmarnock ayrshire
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thanks eddie12 am gonna order a new set and try that



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