ALKO FRICTION PADS

[Buckman]

Just for clarity, Patern parts are not necessarily OEM parts

Not sure I understand your last sentence regarding "Patern" parts?

 

[toad a caravan]

Not sure I understand your last sentence regarding "Patern" parts?

In reply to Buckman .They appear the same but could have different properties i.e a boiled egg is not much different to an unboiled egg.there are however significant differences .Gary

 

[ProfJohnL]

Pattern parts are after market parts made to look like originals, but do not claim to be originals. They have not been authorised by the manufacture. Some are good some are quite poor.

 

[Saxo Appeal]

I would buy a set and see if they last, I have never worn out the Alko pads, just glazed them over, so that they were squeeking. Fitted new ones and deglazed, the old ones ready to go back in next time, but now tend to wipe the pads and ball hitch, with degreaser before every hitch up.

Hi Hutch,

I forgot to clean my towball before the caravan went into storage, and had the dreaded click due to the ball not being clean (slight rust layering).

So do you just spray the degreaser both on the tow ball and the Alko Pads inside then wipe off with a cotton cloth?

 

[Hutch]

Hi Hutch,

I forgot to clean my towball before the caravan went into storage, and had the dreaded click due to the ball not being clean (slight rust layering).

So do you just spray the degreaser both on the tow ball and the Alko Pads inside then wipe off with a cotton cloth?

Yes, exactly as you have just said. I sometimes use a bit of green pan scourer with the degreaser on the tow ball.

 

[Dustydog]

Back to the friction pads.
They are a polymer plastic made to a very strict accurate tolerance. The friction cup is concave to fit part of the towball. The integral shaft contains built in moulding ridges which hold it secure within the Al-ko AKS handle. Movement of the handle engages / disengages the pad. The O ring within the levee housing costs circa £6.00 . It isn’t just an O ring from your Aldi box😉
The plastic is high grade not brittle or an early decay grade.
Please don’t buy copy stuff to replace safety carefully designed and made originals!
Would you fly in a plane with fake parts?

 

[otherclive]

For such an essential piece of kit I always would use manufacturers parts. They may seem expensive compared to pattern parts but just look at the expected life that you get from them if looked after. I fail to understand why people shell out on a caravan, tow car and widgets then look to save a few quid on a safety related item.