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Subject Topic: Tow ball washers Post Reply Post New Topic
Personacampingwewillgo
15/6/2017 at 10:09pm
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Hi. I'm due to pick up my new Navara NP300 and i'm having a towbar fitted. I've had to purchase an Alko towball which I will put on when I get it home (Nissan won't put it on for me as it's not a Nissan part!!!). My question is - where does the washer go - is it bolt, towball,flange plate, washer then nut OR bolt, washer,towball, flange plate then nut? My towball on my Pathfinder is bolt, washer, towball, flange plate then nut. Just wanted to make sure I put it on right!! Thanks.

Post last edited on 15/06/2017 22:18:26


PersonRob and Tina
15/6/2017 at 10:48pm
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It's washer then nut. Have fun with your new truck.


Rob


PersonPhil Ness
16/6/2017 at 12:10am
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I was taught any bolt,screw or fastener that rotates against a metal surface should have a washer between it and the surface.


Persontango55
16/6/2017 at 12:53am
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Reading your post, in simple terms it seems like you are asking if the washer goes behind the bolt on the towball or behind the nut on the mounting plate.
The nut goes behind the bolt on the towball and reason is because the mounting flange is made from flat sheet steel which of course has a flat surface but the towball is made from cast steel so the surface is uneven so a washer is required under the bolt creating two flat surfaces thus making the fastening more secure. Without the washer, only part of the bolt head will make contact with the uneven cast surface thus making it likely for the bolts to come loose.


Personacampingwewillgo
16/6/2017 at 1:06am
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Thanks for your responses. So Tango55 have I got this right - the washer goes onto the bolt first then gets put through the tow ball, flange plate and then the nut to tighten? Thanks. I'm just a confused house-wife!!!!


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Persondiesel steve
16/6/2017 at 5:16am
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there should be 2 flat washers and a spring washer if its a plain nut or just 2 flat washers if its got a nyloc nut


Personacampingwewillgo
16/6/2017 at 6:57am
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The tow ball only came with 2 flat washes - one on each bolt. My towball on my Pathfinder has the same - one flat washer each.


PersonDerbian
16/6/2017 at 10:03am
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"the mounting flange is made from flat sheet steel which of course has a flat surface but the towball is made from cast steel so the surface is uneven"

On mine both surfaces appear to be machined flat so have always gone with 2 flat washers and nyloc nuts - bought seperatly

One thing to remember is that if you ever take the tow ball off you should replace any spring washers or nyloc nuts.


Persontango55
16/6/2017 at 10:09am
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Quote: Originally posted by acampingwewillgo on 16/6/2017
Thanks for your responses. So Tango55 have I got this right - the washer goes onto the bolt first then gets put through the tow ball, flange plate and then the nut to tighten? Thanks. I'm just a confused house-wife!!!!


Yes that's exactly right but it won't do any harm to buy a pack of 16 mm. washers and put one behind each nut as well.
You could purchase some 16 mm. spring washers (as already mentioned above) and put those behind the nut as well as these will assist to stop the nut and bolt from coming undone. Remember to tighten the nut and bolt to the correct torque too which is 210 Nm (recommended by AL-KO) as over-tightening can stretch the thread.


AL-KO Torque Settings


Personmacquatic
16/6/2017 at 7:10pm
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Don't use spring washers use shakeproof ones, unless your using a nyloc nut.

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I came into this world with nothing and I've still got most of it left.


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PersonGrampian91
16/6/2017 at 7:20pm
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Quote: Originally posted by acampingwewillgo on 16/6/2017
Thanks for your responses. So Tango55 have I got this right - the washer goes onto the bolt first then gets put through the tow ball, flange plate and then the nut to tighten? Thanks. I'm just a confused house-wife!!!!



NO.. The bolt goes through everything and then the washer and then the nut.

Washer and nut last.


Personmacquatic
16/6/2017 at 9:16pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 16/6/2017
NO.. The bolt goes through everything and then the washer and then the nut.

Washer and nut last.


Correct.

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I came into this world with nothing and I've still got most of it left.


Personacampingwewillgo
16/6/2017 at 9:27pm
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My washers are serrated ones, does this make any difference!! The washes on my Pathfinder are split washers. Should I get split washers or stick to the ones they supplied? Thanks everyone for your responses.


Persontango55
16/6/2017 at 9:52pm
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If you had said in your initial post what type of washers you have then the answers would have been different. My previous post is now incorrect as YES it does make a difference as the serration digs into the metal so they have to go onto the flat steel which is at the rear along with the nut as Grampian91 has said.


Personacampingwewillgo
16/6/2017 at 10:01pm
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Thanks Tango55, I've learnt alot about 'washers' tonight. The only one I'm familiar with is the big white one in the laundry room!!!!


Personmacquatic
18/6/2017 at 11:18am
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Quote: Originally posted by acampingwewillgo on 16/6/2017
Thanks Tango55, I've learnt alot about 'washers' tonight. The only one I'm familiar with is the big white one in the laundry room!!!!


HaHa!
The washers you have are the "shakeproof" ones and are correct for towball to towbar bolts.

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I came into this world with nothing and I've still got most of it left.



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