Knocking noise from tow hitch

[tony_5104319]

Hi,

I have had tow bar fitted to my santa fe (changed cars) and did the first tow a few weeks ago, however while towing I get a knocking noise when going over uneven roads. My van is a twin axle.

My guess is that the tow ball has been set too low and when it goes over the uneven ground the hook on the hitch is knocking on the lower part of the tow ball (the bit it hooks over). Is this a likley cause or could it be anything more??

 

[BigAl1]

Do you have a BPW hitch (the blue one)

 

[tony_5104319]

No it's an Alko.

 

[lunar2000]

Tony, Do you have the AL-KO towball fitted?

 

[tony_5104319]

Now that's a good and valid point.

I did tell the dealer that it needs to be an alko ball and it does look as if it has the extended shank. how do I tell if it is an alko ball. Should it be stamped on the tow ball somwhere?

Tony

 

[lunar2000]

Tony, The only way I know of to validate if you have an AL-KO towball fitted is that it should be black in colour,other than the ball which should be clean metal ( no contamination from grease,paint etc).

The AL-KO ball is also extended away from the body of your car to allow the hitch to clear and swivel properly. It would appear from your description that you do have the correct ball fitted, just check to see that it has 50 stamped into the flat on the top of the ball. That's 50mm or 2 inches in old money!

The only other thing I can recommend is for you, or your dealer, to check the pads inside the AL-KO towbar for wear.

If you go to http://www.al-ko.co.uk/support-aks.asp you will be able to see "Problem Solving" for every thing to do with AL-KO Stabilisers etc,

Hope this helps in some way?

Pop

 

[Stephen_5122599]

Tony, The only way I know of to validate if you have an AL-KO towball fitted is that it should be black in colour,other than the ball which should be clean metal ( no contamination from grease,paint etc).

The AL-KO ball is also extended away from the body of your car to allow the hitch to clear and swivel properly. It would appear from your description that you do have the correct ball fitted, just check to see that it has 50 stamped into the flat on the top of the ball. That's 50mm or 2 inches in old money!

The only other thing I can recommend is for you, or your dealer, to check the pads inside the AL-KO towbar for wear.

If you go to http://www.al-ko.co.uk/support-aks.asp you will be able to see "Problem Solving" for every thing to do with AL-KO Stabilisers etc,

Hope this helps in some way?

Pop

Did you or your fitter sand the paint off the tow ball and if so is it clear of rust. The clicking or knocking may simply be the pads catching slightly on the paint or rust.