Small/slight groove on tow ball

[LMH]

As it is my responsibility to enusre the tow ball is clean and grease/rust free etc, on returning from hols, I noticed a small groove on the tow ball.

Is this a problem?

Lisa

 

[Lutz]

Small is relative. If you are talking about a groove that may have been caused by grit, no, it's not a problem. If it's a crack rather than a groove, then it would be worthwhile replacing the towball.

 

[LMH]

Thanks for the reply Lutz, actually, on closer inspection there are a few vertical grooves.

Can you just take the round tow ball off? so only that needs replacing?

The tow ball is about three years old.

Lisa

 

[Lutz]

The photograph makes it so much easier to make an educated judgement of the condition. From what I see, the grooves are not serious enough to warrant exchanging the towball, at least in the near future, so long as they don't get significantly worse.

The ball itself cannot be replaced. The ball and the neck are always forged out of a single piece.

 

[LMH]

Thanks Lutz, really appreciated. What do you think causes the grooves to appear?

Lisa

 

[Lutz]

Like I said in my first reply, probably grit or a burr somewhere.

 

[LMH]

Like I said in my first reply, probably grit or a burr somewhere.

Thanks Lutz.

Lisa

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Lisa / Lutz,

I've had similar marks. When we changed vans recently we also fitted the new Al-ko tow ball which came free with the Wyoming.

After about 5000 miles use I have noticed the same marks again. Weird.

I think they may be caused by hitching and unhitching where perhaps I haven't taken the strain off the hitch, ie the van may be pushed hard into the rear of the car or the opposite, where it's dragging downhill away from the car.

When I showed my dealer they were not concerned.

Cheers

Alan

 

[PopRudd]

Hi, Got to agree with Alan. I know my tow ball was scratched when I unhitched on a site that was sloping two ways. Just as if you had an over loaded towball weight ie the nose of the van was down, the car was down at the boot, hence I had great diffuculty unhitching the van.

I have used the same tow ball for at least 3 years since it happened. No groans or moans heard from the tow ball either.

Pop

 

[PopRudd]

Hi, Got to agree with Alan. I know my tow ball was scratched when I unhitched on a site that was sloping two ways. Just as if you had an over loaded towball weight ie the nose of the van was down, the car was down at the boot, hence I had great diffuculty unhitching the van.

I have used the same tow ball for at least 3 years since it happened. No groans or moans heard from the tow ball either.

Pop

Lisa, As an after thought. It may wear the pads more quickly than normal. How knows?

ps how did you manage to get a photo on the forum????

Pop