Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Alko Hitch noises replace? Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonBiff0r
14/4/2014 at 10:30am
 Location: Banbury
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 550 +Vango Orchy 500 View Biff0r's Profile View Profile   Reply to Biff0r Reply   Quote Biff0r Quote  
Joined: 29/4/2006

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   267
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I put grease on tow hitch last year and contaminated to pads, cleaned up but a fair bit of knocking, noise etc.

Do I need to replace for safety or will it still do its job in it's current state?

Any tips on cleaning, I think I did read here last year better to replace, but going away weekend and its one of those jobs I never got around to doing!

Thanks

-------------
2015:
Easter Weekend - Northern Farm Burnham
March/April - Dolgamedd Wales (Tent)
May: Paris/DLP
June - Twilite Leisure Park
July - Germany Black Forest
August - UK
New Vango Orchy 500 to try STILL! STILL!


PersonDaveS1
14/4/2014 at 2:31pm
 Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
 Outfit: Ace Supreme Twinstar Disco 3 View DaveS1's Profile View Profile   Reply to DaveS1 Reply   Quote DaveS1 Quote  
Joined: 16/3/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1509
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
You do not necessarily need to replace the pads for safety reasons. Provded the green button is showing then the ball should be locked in.
However the pads will now be useless at doing the job they were designed for and should be replaced.
DIY instructions are on the Al-Ko website.
Having said that, I would get it sorted before I went away.
Daves1


PersonGrampian91
14/4/2014 at 9:10pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
As above the pads wont be doing anything. Grease will be embedded into the pad making them useless.

You need to change the pads and degrease everything before fitting the new pads.


PersonBiff0r
15/4/2014 at 10:38pm
 Location: Banbury
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 550 +Vango Orchy 500 View Biff0r's Profile View Profile   Reply to Biff0r Reply   Quote Biff0r Quote  
Joined: 29/4/2006

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   267
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thanks guys, have cleaned them well, test them this weekend, if still carries on I will replace.

-------------
2015:
Easter Weekend - Northern Farm Burnham
March/April - Dolgamedd Wales (Tent)
May: Paris/DLP
June - Twilite Leisure Park
July - Germany Black Forest
August - UK
New Vango Orchy 500 to try STILL! STILL!


PersonGrampian91
16/4/2014 at 11:49pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Get a green washing up scourer from the supermarket and use that to clean the ball before hitching up.

It removes any minor rust and dirt particles that may collect on the ball when not in use.

I use one side dry then dampen it and use the otherside to give it a final rub.
Then let it dry before hitching up.


Advertisement



Personnaturlist123
17/4/2014 at 11:02am
 Location: Southport
 Outfit: Adria Adora Premium Yeti 4x4 run about View naturlist123's Profile View Profile   Reply to naturlist123 Reply   Quote naturlist123 Quote  
Joined: 13/1/2013

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   702
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
If you fit a chrome vanadem ball or stainless steel none magnetic type with plastic cover your ball should not get rusty or dirt comtaminated when not in use.Try Holts proffessional brake cleaner same type material or similar in hitch as car disc brakes.


PersonBiff0r
21/4/2014 at 10:36pm
 Location: Banbury
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 550 +Vango Orchy 500 View Biff0r's Profile View Profile   Reply to Biff0r Reply   Quote Biff0r Quote  
Joined: 29/4/2006

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   267
Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
After a good clean, it was perfect all the way there, started groaning the last hour 60 miles or so. So as others say seems to be 250 miles then a good clean.

Thanks all.

-------------
2015:
Easter Weekend - Northern Farm Burnham
March/April - Dolgamedd Wales (Tent)
May: Paris/DLP
June - Twilite Leisure Park
July - Germany Black Forest
August - UK
New Vango Orchy 500 to try STILL! STILL!


Personad210358
01/5/2014 at 8:48pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View ad210358's Profile View Profile   Reply to ad210358 Reply   Quote ad210358 Quote  
Joined: 16/8/2008

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   215
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Quote: Originally posted by naturlist123 on 17/4/2014If you fit a chrome vanadem ball or stainless steel none magnetic type with plastic cover your ball should not get rusty or dirt comtaminated when not in use.Try Holts proffessional brake cleaner same type material or similar in hitch as car disc brakes.


Any contaminated pads can easily be cleaned, they are a very hard plastic type material, with an indentation to fit around the ball.


Persontango55
01/5/2014 at 9:16pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587
Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0
The friction pads are not made from plastic, they are made from steel with a friction lining bonded to them exactly the same as clutch and brake linings are. Once the linings become contaminated by any type of lubricant they will not grip the towball so respectively are not fit for purpose. If the friction pads get contaminated they need to be replaced with new ones.


Personad210358
02/5/2014 at 5:54am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View ad210358's Profile View Profile   Reply to ad210358 Reply   Quote ad210358 Quote  
Joined: 16/8/2008

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   215
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Not on mine they are not, I also have a new set and they are the same,
They even have numbers moulded in the face edge as per attached link
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Alko-AKS-2004-3004-Series-Caravan-Stabiliser-Side-Friction-Pad-Set-/161285676953

Post last edited on 02/05/2014 06:00:15

Post last edited on 02/05/2014 06:00:57



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

7123 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder