I've just replaced the 'friction pads' on my Al-ko AKS 2000 stabiliser and without any 'shims' in place the stabiliser arm will not push down fully over the hitch, it starts biting the tow ball at the first mark (green) ok but will not push fully down, I reckon its only about an inch or so short. Any ideas why this is the case?
I have the Alko AKS 2000 stabiliser as well and had new friction pads fitted by a service engineer back in April this year and after exchanging the pads he got me to push down on the locking handle to feel the difference from the worn ones. It was really hard to compress in comparison to how it was previously but he said it should actually be like that. What you need to do is push down as hard as possible till it eventually gives way and locks on.
I was also surprised to learn that the friction pads are made from plastic on this model stabiliser as I was shown the difference between new and worn pads.
Thanks for that! i'll put my 14 stone on top of it and see what happens!its quite a simple job to change them, and one of the pads had broken from its shaft so it was doing nothing. I could tell things weren't right on the last outing, even at 55 mph with a t/a and 4x4 towing I was getting a rough ride, the stabiliser was doing nothing at all. i love to hear the creaking coming from the tow ball when turning, you know its doing its job!