AL-KO STABILISERS

[mullsy1]

Hi All.I have just purchased a new (to me) van and is my first experience of ALKO sbls.Had to change the side friction pads but on hitching the arm only travels about half way down and yet all the literature I have read clearly show it down to the horizontal.I did email ALKO who proceeded to inform me that the angle should be 7 degrees different to the ones supplied on the continent.Any advice would be great.

 

[TD42]

If you have recently replaced the side pads I suspect you have either inserted to many shim washers or the pads are incorrectly fitted. You are correct in assumng the handle should go down horizontal. does it go down fully when unhitched?
you can find instalation & adjustment of pads here http://www.al-ko.co.uk/support-aks.asp

 

[mullsy1]

HI,I will double check but I didnt use any shims and they seemed to go all the way home.By the way,its a 2004.How much pressure is required?

 

[Parksy]

Hi Mullsy
Just a thought but assuming that you have fitted the friction pads correctly another thing that might cause the stabiliser not to engage would be your towball.
Alko stabilisers need towballs with a longer than normal shank

http://www.al-ko.co.uk/automotive-towballs.htm
If you still have the 'normal' towball this could be the problem. If you fit an AlKo ball make sure that you remove every trace of the black paint from the towball before engaging the stabiliser otherwise the pads will be contaminated. Keep the towball free from oil, grease, rust, road gime or any other contaminant and use Brake Cleaner to keep the towball clean.
http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/fenwicks-brakecln-zoom.jpg

 

[mullsy1]

Thanx for the advice everyone.Sorted out with a spray of WD40.I noticed on the van next door that when in the vertical position,the gap between the circular part of the arms and the hitch was smaller on mine than my neighbours.Up with the WD,operated the lever a dozen times and noticed immediately that the stabiliser arms had moved out further.Hitched up and the arm depressed fully.Relieved to say the least.Cheers to all

 

[GrahamPonty]

Hi Mullsy,

Just make sure that none of the WD40 has contaminated the new pads. If it has you need to clean asap with break cleaner or thinners. No oil based fluid should go anywhere near the pads.

HTH

Graham

 

[Damian]

.By the way,its a 2004.How much pressure is required?

Quite a bit, you are locking friction pads to the ball so it will take a bit more than just a gentle press.

 

[Bill.D]

A new stabiliser takes a considerable push to get it into the locked position, the critical thing is to look out for the green part of the pop up button that shows it is safely in position.

 

[mullsy1]

One of the first things I bought was a spray tin of brake cleaner which now lives in my boot.I gave it a thorough clean.Certainly makes a ten quid hitch cover a worthwhile purchase