Alko hitch noise

[trucker]

When I picked my caravan up from the dealers after having some warrente work done a couple of months ago there was a loud banging and sraping noise comming from the hitch, I stopped and checked all was well and carried on.

We just come back from holiday in France and the whole trip at evey corner/bump in the road it was making the same noise.

Now I know it must have got contaminated with grease. Ive tried cleaning it out with a cloth but to no evail.

Have I got any chance of the dealer sorting the problem out now or will it be down to me as I didnt report the problem when I picked it up?

If I got to deal with it what do I need to do. It not only driving us mad its embarresing arriving on site eveyone knows weve arrived.

Kevin H

 

[Martin_E]

Hi Kevin,

If you buy some Brake & Clutch Cleaner and give the hitch a good spray with it you should find most if not all the grease will have gone. You can get it from any motor factors

Martin "E"

 

[Tankie]

Kevin H

Check all the mounting bolts on the towing bracket, if you haven't already. I had a knokcing noise once and after checking, I found one bolt moved about a quater of a turn, hey presto, no more knocking.

Tankie

 

[rob_jax]

Kevin,

It's pretty rare for grease to cause knocking and banging in an AL-KO coupling - loss of effectivenss, yes - but mechanical noises, no

From your description it sounds as if something is loose or broken:

1. As already pointed out, check all of the bolts for tightness (torque wrench is a good idea - if you can find your AL-KO manual)

2. Check to see if a friction pad is damaged or broken - it's not unheard of - if you drop the couplign onto the tow-ball then it's possible to crack the pads

3. Check that the AL-KO mechanism is closing properly, and that that hasn't somehow become damaged or out of adjustment

4. Check the tow-ball for tightness too

5. Check the over-run brake "psiton damper" for wear - these get noisy when they need repalcing

Robert

 

[trucker]

Thanks guys I think Ill get the dealer to look at it on its service

Kevin H