AL-KO AKS Stabiliser

[Jane_374373718]

Have just used my AKS 3004 for the first time and am getting noise ,creeking when manovering. I am using a detachable tow ball. Any ideas ????

 

[Bannedtom]

HI

You must ensure that there is no paint on the tow ball, I have one of the sponge sand pads that I just give my ball a quick scrub before I attatch it (no jokes please)and also make sure that there is no grease on the towball as the friction pads need a clean tow ball

 

[Damian]

Jane, I am presuming that you prepared the towball prior to use by removing all the paint to leave a bright, shiny and clean towball.

If you have not done so, then you now need to do so, and clean the friction pads inside the hitch as they will be contaminated by the paint.

When slow manoeuvering on site you will get noises from the hitch if the pressure is still being applied to the friction pads, as it trying to turn a ball in a clamped state against a friction material, which is trying to stop the turning motion.

To stop the noise and make reversing much easier, unlock the friction pads from the ball by lifting the handle.

 

[Peter_374293316]

Unfortunately my AKS stabiliser groans as well- tho its only noticeable at very low speeds usually in towns and on site. On site I do as Damian suggests and lift the handle at low speeds and when it's extremely unlikely it will be called upon to stop a snake etc.

My query is - is the stabiliser still working at its full potential when I'm bowling along the motorway at the legal max speed despite the contamination on the pads. I've tried to clean them but so far to no avail? I realise that in the ideal world I need to replace the friction pads.

 

[Damian]

As long as the pads are not contaminated with grease then it will still be functioning almost as it should, perhaps a slight decrease in effectiveness, but not enough to worry about, just annoying when it makes a noise.

When you think about what is happening in the hitch, a friction material in contact with a metal ball, under pressure, it is not surprising to get some noise at times.

Te only reason you do not notice any noise from disc brakes hen moving is that they retract from the disc, so none , or very little pressure on the disc, otherwise they are quite noisy.

A friction hitch employs similar friction material in the pads

 

[Peter_374293316]

As long as the pads are not contaminated with grease then it will still be functioning almost as it should, perhaps a slight decrease in effectiveness, but not enough to worry about, just annoying when it makes a noise.

When you think about what is happening in the hitch, a friction material in contact with a metal ball, under pressure, it is not surprising to get some noise at times.

Te only reason you do not notice any noise from disc brakes hen moving is that they retract from the disc, so none , or very little pressure on the disc, otherwise they are quite noisy.

A friction hitch employs similar friction material in the pads

Damian

Many thanks for the comments - no I think the contamination is some towball paint that I didn't fully clean off. I'll give them a good clean with a lint free cloth and brake fluid and if that doesn't work either put up with the noise or replace the pads at the next service.

Peter

 

[Jane_374373718]

thank you for advice will try all.

 

[rob_374368204]

Thanks for posting that Jane as I have the exact same problem with the 3004 and was going to ask for the same advice.

Thanks for all the tips - will give them a try!

 

[Zafiral]

Snap!!

My tow bar is a little bit marked so that explains it. I was just surprised how load the noises are.

 

[Zafiral]

Snap!!

My tow bar is a little bit marked so that explains it. I was just surprised how load the noises are.

sorry I meant loud not load!!! Its a bit early for me!!