Hi. I have a BPW hitch on the caravan it only squeaks for a while when I set off. I have read that if you clean the friction pads with brake cleaner it helps. The towball has no scores on it as I clean it on a regular basis with a sanding pad. I am presuming that the friction pads are dirty and need cleaning. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.
I also have a Winterhoff hitch, when mine developed a squeak I bought some of the finest grade emery cloth I could find and gave each one of the pads a very gentle rub with it. Cured the squeak instantly
------------- I like children but I can't eat a whole one
Mine didn't squeak. However couldn't get the van off the tow ball last year. Took well over two hours with myself and two wardens on site to free it. WOW....
One of my pads had shattered.
Cheap as chips to buy new, easy job to replace with new.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for the replies. I sanded the pads yesterday and I have some brake fluid spray arriving today. I will then spray the pads and leave it for a while then clean them once again and see if that fixes the problem but I will only find out the next time we go out again.
Quote: Originally posted by camcroft on 06/8/2024
Thanks for the replies. I sanded the pads yesterday and I have some brake fluid spray arriving today. I will then spray the pads and leave it for a while then clean them once again and see if that fixes the problem but I will only find out the next time we go out again.
I hope you meant brake CLEANER spray!
------------- I like children but I can't eat a whole one
I clean our hitch with a bit of Scotchbrite and brake cleaner before use.
If its rusty fine emery paper then cleaner and dry off with paper towel.
I also give the friction pads the same treatment periodically.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
I never use anything abrasive to clean my towball, I only ever use a green scouring pad for washing up and then use brake cleaner to rinse off any debris on the surface. Never had a problem till this year when I got a creaking sound when turning a corner so when I got on site I cleaned the inside of the hitch in the same way which the next hitch up the creaking was eliminated. I suppose it makes sense to clean both mating surfaces.