Alko stabilizer

[SteveW77]

The stabilizer on my van has started making the most awful noise. I have cleaned the ball with brake cleaner & wire wool, I have also cleaned the inside of the cup in the same manner but to no availl. It is so loud that I was stopped by the police on the way home from Cornwall. Any suggestions please?

Steve W

 

[jacky3]

you dont say how long you have had the stabaliser fitted to the van,sounds like the friction pads ars contaminated.diesel engines especially tend to contaminate the ball and pads.you should always clean the ball every time before you hitch up to stop contamination of the friction pads

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I had the same problem and sent the pads back to Alko thinking that they were crazed.They soon came back cleaned with the message that it was contamination etc.You can get the side pads out easily if you remove the plug on the two sides and push the pad inwards.You ca then clean with emery.

 

[john_5040735]

Hi Steve - had exactly same problem at Easter. Tried cleaning pads - as recommended by ALKO - but to no avail. One dealer then yold me that it wouldn't be the pads and could be something in need of adjustment - book it in to let service have a look!! Needless to say I didnt do this. Instead, changed the pads. Problem solved.

On close inspection the old pads appeared a little crazed. Have now lightly sanded them and carry them as spares.

Hope this helps

 

[SteveW77]

Following your advise, I dismantled the hitch and removed all the pads. On inspection I still could not see any reason why they should make a noise, but after sanding them down with light wet & dry paper and re-assembling them the noise has gone away.

Steve W

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Glad that you've got it sorted.When it happened to me we were about 100 miles from Barcelona and I replaced the pads (a set came with the van !)on a layby as the noise was so alarming .No problems lately but the first X-Trail was very good at producing clouds of black smoke when towing under load up long steep hills.Thankfully the second X is much better in this respect.