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Cleaning tow ball

Marbles007

Marbles007

Just reading on google some say it's best to get all paint of towball if using a alko 3004 stabiliser hitch.should I be doing this ? Hopefully picking up a van next weekend
 
Marbles007 said:
Just reading on google some say it's best to get all paint of towball if using a alko 3004 stabiliser hitch.should I be doing this ? Hopefully picking up a van next weekend
Click to expand...

That is correct, and make sure you have the type [alko] specific ball or swan neck types are ok

Your ball could look like this
IMG_2462.jpg


The real shiny one is an ordinary ball and the one in the process of being cleaned is the alko type
 
Don't forget to keep it clean with a quick rub over with fine emery and then a quick clean with brake cleaner. I do it pretty much every time we hook up.
 
And also to Martins ! Advise, a quick clean in the tow hitch as well , It stops the sound of an Irate Elephant chasing you as you go round corners. 😛
 
Martin24 said:
Don't forget to keep it clean with a quick rub over with fine emery and then a quick clean with brake cleaner. I do it pretty much every time we hook up.
Click to expand...
k

You will also need to keep the stabiliser friction pads clean. I use brake dust remover spray. The Alko web site has useful PDF downloads which address maintenance and use of the stabiliser.
 
Marbles007 said:
Just reading on google some say it's best to get all paint of towball if using a alko 3004 stabiliser hitch.should I be doing this ? Hopefully picking up a van next weekend
Click to expand...
If you don't remove it, the paint will gradually wear to a powder, which then embeds itself in the friction pads, causing glazing. As others have mentioned the pads own dust has to be removed from time to time, as this causes glazing too, leading to groaning sounds.
 
It's worth saying that, if you do get the "groaning" and cleaning the pads doesn't work, replacement is a surprisingly easy and quick task (though I was surprised that a new set of pads cost over £60). Delighted now to have a silent tow!
 
A quick on line search shows it's much cheaper to source ordinary brake cleaner spray than almost £7 for a tin of what might just be brake cleaner with a Fenwicks label on it
 
If you look at a local car paint company they will sell you thinners in bulk at a very cheap rate, thats what I use to clean the ball and pads.
 
Somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe thinners leaves an oily residue and should therefore NOT be used on pads. The only chemical recommended for pads is brake cleaner.
 
I meant panel wipe, although i have never had an oily residue with thinners but if you want a paint free towball i used light emery cloth and then thinners and a pan scourer and the paint just flies off.
 
Just looked d up the COSHH data for Toolstation's brake cleaner:

The significant ingredients are:
Naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated light
Xn R65; Xi R38; F R11; N R51/53

isobutane
F+ R12

The rest are just the propellants. I suggest lighter fluid is very close. (but ordinary petrol will probably do the job 🙂 )
 
It's more expensive than brake cleaning fluid which is what Alko recommend on their website.For future info Alko recommend cleaning friction pads using 100-120 grade emery and brake cleaner. Their website has some good info to maintain these stabilisers.
 
On thing that I noticed on Alko's website is the recommendation to clean the friction pads before each trip...........
by removing them! I do clean them but generally by feel and then a look see underneath using Yoga position number six. 🙂
 
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