We are new to caravanning and on our 2nd outing last weekend after hitching up and setting off we could hear groaning/creaking noises. It seemed to be worse when going slow and turning corners and not to bad when on the dual carriageway doing about 50mph. We stopped a few times and checked nothing was loose and when we got on site a fellow camper said he had had the same problem - nothing to worry about but the alko pads and towball needed cleaning with emery paper and brake cleaner. Is this any easy job or do we need to take it tom someone. If it's easy can someone give me step by step instructions or tell me where to find them??
Most alko stabiliser hitches will creak and groan as you turn tight corners slowly, its doing its job, trying to prevent the swing. If the pads and towball are in good condition and clean, not contaminated with grease or paint you needn't do anything.
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easy and simple.
ensure no paint on towball and it's very clean. Clean by using emery paper or wirewool. I used wire wool (£3) and it was a new towball but still had it done in 15 minutes.
Next you need to clean pads. again do this with either but use brake disc cleaner (£5) aferwards to wipe completely clean (I do this before every journey as I have a diesel car which can cause dirt if not regularly cleaned).
That's it. i had the same problem and it was so noisy people stopped and stared but haven't had it since.
Depending on which towhitch you can easily remove the pads for cleaning, just look at alko website or wait for Michael to come along and explain like I did 2 years ago.
Also check that the pads haven't worn out if not new, again this is explained how to do on alko's website. good luck only real skill required is elbow grease!
I had the same problem a couple of years ago. I just cleaned the ball with meths then shoved a cloth soaked in meths up into the hitch and rubbed it round then let it dry.
Maybe not a very technical way of doing it but it worked. No further problems.
As above - but when you clean the friction pads in the Alko hitch .........
* Clean with isopropyl alcohol (brake cleaner) THEN ...
* Sand with 180 or 220 grade abrasive until the friction material in the hitch is matt. If it is even slightly shiny, the creaking will keep returning until you do it properly. You'll need to lie on your back under the hitch to do this. THEN ...
* Clean clean with isopropyl alcohol again
Use the same abrasive on the towball to remove any traces of paint or rust; clean with kitchen roll and then clean again with kitchen roll soaked with isopropyl alcohol until the kitchen tissue comes off clean.
Hi Thanks for the replies, as one of you said it's a little embarrasing when everyones looking at you in the quaint little villages or as you pull in/off the campsite. Will try your solutions, AndrewK where do i ge the isopropyl alcohol from??
Quote: Originally posted by gillycarp on 26/7/2011
Hi Thanks for the replies, as one of you said it's a little embarrasing when everyones looking at you in the quaint little villages or as you pull in/off the campsite. Will try your solutions, AndrewK where do i ge the isopropyl alcohol from??
Thanks
it's in brake cleaner, you can get it in an aerosol can from halfords.
OR meths is just as effective...and cheaper.