Squeaky Stabiliser

[Tram]

Hi all,

I've just had an AKS 3004 hitch with stabiliser fitted to my Bailey Ranger 560/6. The idea being that it will cut down on 'twitch' when I'm being overtaken by other vehicles on motorways and also if it's ever a bit windy. The problem is that it is making an awful noise every time I make a turn. I have rung the dealer and their service dept says it is hard spots ( I think they mean high spots) on the dampers and it will go away when it works in.

So, is this true and if so, how many miles to bed in?

My wife and grandchildren gave me a bad time last week because of the squeaking and cracking drowning out their audio kit.

Ttfn T

 

[antrimboy]

Tram, did anyone clean your stabilizer or towball with brake cleaner or white spirit within a few hours of you connecting up?The reason I ask is, last w/e I cleaned mine with white spirit about an hour before we set off, and the creaking and groaning was deafening.It worried me all w/e as to what caused the problem, as I couldn't find anything wrong.However, the return trip was totally silent, and I can only assume that the white spirit hadn't evaporated before I hitched up.

Another well known cause is using a towball that is dirty, or, if the painted type, it must have every spec of paint removed using sandpaper, and then cleaned off with brake cleaner or similar (just make sure it's all evaporated before you hook-up!).

Regarding the dealer's comments, you shouldn't have very much creaking at all, if any, so the most important thing is, make sure both the stabilizer and towball are scrupulously clean and dry.

 

[Robtel]

My present van is the first experience I have had with the alko hitch stabiliser. I bought it new with the alko stabiliser fitted as standard and did not experience the problems you are encountering therefor i'm not entirely convinced about the bedding in theory. My understanding about noisy friction pad type stabilisers is that the noise is often caused by dirt or dust on the pads.

Robert

 

[Tram]

Thanks for the tips fellas, This was our very first trip with the new hitch and I did clean the ball a couple of hours before we set off and to tell the truth, didn't have much of a problem going. The return journey though was awful but I must confess I didn't re-clean it. Maybe it was/is dust but before I took it in storage again I did clean the ball, but it was still just as noisy. The thing now is the delay in finding out. We aren't going away again for a month.

I still think the pressure needed to apply the damping is excessive.

ttfn T

 

[NorfolkMike]

I have had Al-ko stabalizers on four caravans and four cars to date and have only had the noise problem once. Although it is well known.

When I had the problem the Al-ko web site sorted it via the gentle application of emery cloth. There have been a number of differing views on the subject but all I can say is "that it worked for me".

ttfn

 

[Rob_374230719]

I've put a tiny bit of talcum powder on the pads, and wonder no longer sqeaking. Possibly it lubricates a bit, but i.e. Stabix stabilizers advise some grease on the pads.