Friction pads query.

[fleetwood4444]

Hi, I have a AL-KO 2004 type stabilizer and when I engage it (after hitching up and locking to the tow bar) the pressure required to lock it into place seems to be very slight. Does this mean i need new friction pads or is there some kind of adjustment i can make. The screws all seem to be on full turn.Thanks in advance.
All the best,
Michael.

 

[Hutch]

Hi Fleetwood, that is normal, with the towball engaged and just gentle hand pressure on the friction lever you will see where the wear arrows are. There is no adjustment that can be done.
http://www.al-ko.co.uk/pages/maintenance-4.html

 

[fleetwood4444]

Hi EH52ARH, brilliant, Thanks for the quick response,
Michael.

 

[Hutch]

Michael, just reread your original posting, you say slight pressure, maybe your pads are starting to wear a bit, on new side pads you could expect a reasonable amount to heafty to push down the lever. I only change the side ones.
Hutch

 

[Beehpee]

Dunno if this is hijacking op's thread but I have a query re friction pads, my van has the alko 1300, pads seemed worn and changed them, now no grip on tow ball or none to speak of, hard to explain but I'll give it a go, the 1300 only has the 2 side pads and to change them there's a ring clip that is released on the side then the pad is pushed thru, you transfer a couple of washers and a needle bearing off the old to the new, insert from inside and put clip on, same for the 2nd pad, now when you hitch up you turn dial which I'm assuming is meant to bring the pads into contact with the ball, when it clicks you then push down the lever to give it the last tighten onto the ball and job done, since changing the pads they just seem to move outwards as the ratchet is turned rather than tightening, having a removable Towbal it's easy to replicate what should happen when hitching by pushing ball into hitch and there is no grip what so ever, as this is obviously a safety issue I'm thinking of trying a mobile tech to sort it but thought I'd give here a try first.

BP

 

[Damian]

The "washers" you refer to are shims and need the correct sized ones for the new pads.

 

[Beehpee]

Hi Damian, shims or washers, I can understand needing new ones but I would have thought as the friction pads are new the replacement shims would be thinner rather than thicker and if using the old ones which were working with worn pads I would expect the unworn pads to tighten up too much rather than not at all, also is it not the case that the wheel that I turn before pushing the lever down has the ratchet system so that it rotates until the pads reach the ball and then the ratchet slips so that they are touching the ball before the lever is applied, I was hoping you or someone with your experience might answer my query and I'm sure I must be missing something so look forward to being put right.
Thanks.

Bryan.

 

[Damian]

Hello Bryan,
The usual method of replacement is to remove the old retaining ring and push each pad out, only one side at a time.
The old pad is pushed out and any washers retained , placed on the new pad spindle then fitted into the hitch head and secured with a new securing ring.
That's how simple it should be, but sometimes it just does not work.
I assume you got the correct pads?
The shaft of the new pads should be lightly greased before fitting.

 

[Beehpee]

Hi Damian, as far as them being the correct pads the dealer said they were the correct ones and looked identical to me, the shaft was correct length and the head holding the pad seemed identical, I did exactly what you said, one side at a time swapping shims from old to new, pushing into position from inside outwards then new ring clip to hold in position, I didn't grease them before fitting but they move freely so I'm confident that's ok, the caravan is new to me and I changed the pads just as a matter of course as I had no idea of how old or worn they were, when I bought the caravan a couple of months ago I only had to tow it 500 yds to get it home so didn't really take much notice of what the old ones were like but gave caravan a good clean, checked everything over, had new tyres fitted and checked brakes, then decided to change the friction pads purely as I thought it best, now not sure what to do, do I get a mobile engineer to have a look or just bite the bullet and fit a brand new Alko, I'd definitely go for new Alko if it wasn't quite so expensive but I suppose what price do you put on safety.

Bryan.

 

[fleetwood4444]

Thanks Hutch, the caravan is nearly 10 years old and we use it about 6 times a year , only had it for 1 year and if the pads are original and worn would this cause some weaving which seemed slight but noticeable when doing about 55mph, I accelerated to 60mph and it seemmed to stop.I think I will buy some new ones.
All the best,
Michael.

 

[Hutch]

Yes Michael, changing the friction pads, does make a lot of difference to the tow of the van, as does the the nose weight and loading, but the pads being new are a great help. .
Safe towing
Hutch.

 

[Beehpee]

I've solved the problem of the AK1300 not working correctly by fitting a new AKS3400, got a brand new one off flea bay at bargain price, simple to fit in no more than 20 minutes and seems to have a much better grip than the 1300 did even when it wasn't faulty, obviously having the extra pads makes a difference so looking forward to next trip away in a weeks time and it will be interesting to see if the feel of the tow changes at all, I know I shall be a lot more relaxed.

BP

 

[Hutch]

BP, I am aure you will fimd a big difference, when I changed my side pads, there was a change, just remember to wipe the tow ball and give a wipe to the pads, hopefully before every hitch up. It all helps.
Hutch.

 

[fleetwood4444]

New pads fitted, easy easy to do. On holiday this Friday so will see if they help.
Mike.

 

[Gagakev]

New pads fitted, easy easy to do. On holiday this Friday so will see if they help.
Mike.

I'm sure it will be Ok, good luck

Oh and if you still get the squeak it will be a hidden mouse :lol: :lol:

 

[Hutch]

My petite, dog would find it, evry time we put the alarm on or off he goes frantic.

 

[pitpony]

Also on the top of your hitch you should have an indicator gauge which actually shows you the amount of wear on your pads, ie, either by being in the red or the green,