draw hitch - working or not?

[andy72]

I did the dreaded visit to the van at the weekend, the first after leaving in winter storage. Its an old thing so like most old things its used to it by now;

Anyway, the draw hitch. I read that if you push it in and let go, it should come back out again. Mine pushes in nicely. Quite tight but it feels 'hydraulic' like its got some resistance. I then let go and it comes out quite slowly. ie takes about 20 seconds to get back to fully out again. The bar is very greasy which is fine but it also has some water in ther to, which isnt doing much as it so well greased.

Is his operation fine? ie doing what it should?

 

[JTQ]

Sounds it's functioning okay but it would be wise to get a grease gun on the barrel nipple(s) to purge out that water.
Check the "boot" on the shaft for correct seating and/or cracks and take corrective measures. [You have to be careful replacing the boot not to let the rear bolt of the hitch "lose" the eye in the damper.]
I would be getting an all enveloping hitch cover to keep the weather out.