can anyone tell me to take a alko coupling off and put a stabelizer on they use a steel dowel to keep spring in place ,can a bolt equivalant be used my stabilizer came without the dowel thanks
If you are quick then you don't need it. I changed one on my last caravan and couldn't work out how to change them with the dowel in place. If the hitch is left off for a while the damper may creep back in, but provided you make sure the damper is fully extended before you start, you will have plenty of time.
As Dave say's, you could be lucky and not need one, but if memory serves me right the dowel is the right length to allow holding the damper within the tube while removing existing hitch head and fitting new.
To be specific, the dowels length is that of the draw-tubes diameter so it can sit in place easily and be 'drifted' out. A bolt wouldn't allow you to do the same unless you'd cut it to the right length beforehand, but try Dave's suggestion nonetheless.
The dowel is short for reasons that you can remove and re-fit the hitch completely over the two bolt holes whilst the damper is retained. When you push the bolt through the holes it then pushes out the dowel whilst the bolt then retains the damper before you apply the locking nut. If you try to use a screwdriver or bolt to retain the damper then only one side of the hole can be accessed which can prove rather difficult so it's best to use the right tools for the job.
You don't need a dowel. This will take a little practice, Fit the stabiliser with just the front bolt. Push the whole drawbar fully in, then instantly pull fully out. You will be able to see the overrun damper extending towards the rear fixing hole. As the damper comes close to aligning, temporarily push a screwdriver though the whole thing to hold it in place. You will then be able to fit the bolt through from the other side. Basically you are moving the drawbar faster than the damper will move, so you will have time to catch it.
Perhaps not a very good description but give it a go and all will become clear.
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