Creaking 2004 Alko stabilizer

[Max_5063914]

Any advice on getting rid of the creaking please. I have cleaned up the ball with fine emery cloth (ball hitch was new and covered with that gold coloured seal), and used meths on the friction pads. There were no problems the fist time out with the new tow hitch (on the new tow car), but second time out we experienced the very irritating creaking that I have heard others complain about. I did not clean the protective (gold coloured) film off before using it the first time and am wondering if it has contaminated the friction pads. If so, can they be cleaned up, or will I need to replace the pads?

Thaks for any advice.

Max.

 

[Damian]

Max, it is more than likely that some of the gold film is contaminating your friction pads. Take them out of the hitch, and clean with fine emery paper, then use brake cleaner to wash any remnants away. Carb cleaner is good too, as it removes any oil present.

 

[Max_5063914]

Max, it is more than likely that some of the gold film is contaminating your friction pads. Take them out of the hitch, and clean with fine emery paper, then use brake cleaner to wash any remnants away. Carb cleaner is good too, as it removes any oil present.

Thanks Damian. Are the pads easy to extract and is a special tool required?

Max.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I had trouble with creaking and sent the pads back to Alko who very quickly returned them having cleaned them with emery cloth.The creaking then stopped.I am concerned that you say "gold" coating as all the Alko towballs for the 2004 that I have seen have had a black coating.You need the special extended neck towball to allow articulation of the coupling head.I have seen a gold coloured one that had gouge marks below the ball and even lent the owner a file as he could not locate the correct towball in Brittany.I have corresponded with Alko on this topic as it came up on the old PC website and they are adamant that you must use their extended neck towball with increased length of neck.Using a spacer will not give the extra clearance below the ball.Fixed swan neck types are OK.Hope that helps

 

[WatsonJohnG]

To remove the side pads take out the red plastic plugs on the side and push the pads inwards.The front and rear pads can be removed with a screwdriver (Torx or Phillips).My pads looked crazed but it was in fact a coating caused mainly by diesel fumes.

 

[BigRoy]

I think I've mentioned this before but some of you may not have seen it, if you're going to use emery to clean your tow ball or pads make sure you clean them off with a solvent as emery is oil based and will leave a film of oil on whatever you have used it on, best using fine wet and dry paper

 

[CaptainKangaroo]

I think I've mentioned this before but some of you may not have seen it, if you're going to use emery to clean your tow ball or pads make sure you clean them off with a solvent as emery is oil based and will leave a film of oil on whatever you have used it on, best using fine wet and dry paper

What grade?

 

[BigRoy]

I think I've mentioned this before but some of you may not have seen it, if you're going to use emery to clean your tow ball or pads make sure you clean them off with a solvent as emery is oil based and will leave a film of oil on whatever you have used it on, best using fine wet and dry paper

Hi Kanga, the grade is not that critical, but as a general rule, coarse for the thicker stuff like paint, finishing off with fine.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi Roy interested in your words about oily emery.Will bear that in mind in future.

The last paragraph of Alko's reply to me when they returned the pads is thus

"The best advise I can give is to ensure you clean the ball with emery cloth before every journey-which I am sure you do already-also have a quick look at the pads and if you see that the glazing is beginning to build up again then give them a clean too"

I use a Scotch Brit type of cloth when the ball looks mucky and clean with thinners after towing the small trailer