I have Alko 2004 stabiliser which has been getting progressively more difficult to close. It now only gets slightly beyond the start of resistance [resistance starts at the expected point] before stopping me fully closing the stabiliser handle. I have had to jump on the handle in the past for it to close but even now this doesn't appear to work [I know I shouldn't do this!!]. I can close it easily without the tow ball being inserted or with just the Alko lock ball in place. I have resorted to replacing all the friction pads and have even removed the side shims without any joy. I think it may even be worse. When I attemp to close it I do see the imprints of the friction pads on the tow ball. The towball is Alko spec A50-X. The Part number on the ball is 1385201 although the Alko web site says it should be 1385401. Not sure there is such a ball type......maybe just a typo error.I did change my car 2 years ago and hence new tow ball but not sure if problem started then but it certainly has got worse. Anyone got any ideas??
As far as I know you need an alko towball for the alko stabiliser, check the circumference of your tow ball it should be 50mm.
------------- Simply Yung.(early retiree and loving it)
09 Mondeo 2.0 TDCI,07 Senator Virginia
April 1 ~ 5 York CP
5 ~ 11Loose hill C C
11 ~ 19 Gaer Hyfrid C C
I can see that this post is almost a year old but I am very curious to find out how you resolved it because I have now got exactly the same problem! I have replaced the friction pads and since doing so the problem has got worse, the stabiliser handle will only go down a short way before stopping at an angle approx 45 degrees....help!!!