Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Really noisy hitch
Sanity check and advice please
Picked up new van couple of weeks ago and went for our second outing in it over weekend. On way there there was a horrendous noise from tow hitch, assuming it was just a bit of dirt I cleaned the tow ball and pads and thought that would be it.
But no
When we got home I took the pads out and they are flaking to bits! Completely shot. Now given we have done less than 400 miles on the two trips this was somewhat of a worry.
Now, couple of things:
I'm 99.9% sure that this is all my fault, I stupidly forgot to sand paint off the new tow ball when we got van. As such I think I messed it up on first trip.
However, I have a vague worry it could be caused by tow hitch being too low? Recently switched from detachable hitch (big twin axle van, worry it would detach!) to the fixed multi height one. At the moment it's at 350mm which means it tows slightly nose down.
Anyone tow with it set at 500mm and would it make that much difference to friction pads?
Apologies for the rambling post, but just got in and started on the gin!
Last edited by BorisBarKeep on 31st Jul 2016 4:42 pm. Edited 1 time in total
24th Jul 2016 4:59 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
For reference, this is the van being towed, I think height looks fine
24th Jul 2016 5:11 pm
geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3170
Height looks fine how old is the van and yes it will not help the friction pads if your tow ball is not clean and shinney Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
24th Jul 2016 5:19 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Van is three weeks old!
I'm pretty sure it's user error and I've ordered new pads to swap out. Just wanted to be sure the cause was me being a muppet
24th Jul 2016 5:27 pm
geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3170
Height of tow hitch would not do that to the friction pads and have heard that paint on the tow ball can cause damage to friction pads but to what extend not 100% sure over that sort of distance Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
24th Jul 2016 7:42 pm
Leon
Member Since: 26 Apr 2014
Location: Leamington Spa
Posts: 434
The paint would have damaged them. Just changed our pads (top, back and sides) because we started getting a horrendous noise. When I took the old ones off they had gone "flakey" due to age, Have just done 250 miles with no noises. You can get special tow ball cleaner to clean the ball everytime you put the van on but I just use brake cleaner.
Could the flaking bits be contamination, on the Alko hitch I've had the pads are a hard solid plastic mushroom shape with a dimple in the top?
25th Jul 2016 4:49 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Those are the ones, have given tow ball a good clean as well
25th Jul 2016 9:01 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Ok, I've changed the pads, changed the tow ball making sure paint removed and given everything a spray with brake cleaner and a good clean.
Still creaks and groans so much people come out of houses to watch!!!!
If I release the lever, so is coupled but no pads engaged, there is no noise. So must be something to do with stabiliser?
Help!!!!
31st Jul 2016 4:45 pm
Kingmav66
Member Since: 20 Jul 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 1349
We had this on our van when it was new, ours just got better with time. I thought they needed bedding in........
Have you questioned the tension set on these with the caravan dealer?
31st Jul 2016 4:53 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
It's into dealer Tuesday to sort a couple of niggles so will get them to look. Is just bugging me as can't fix!
31st Jul 2016 4:58 pm
geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3170
Can you tell us where the tow ball came from Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
31st Jul 2016 6:06 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
First one supplied with Land Rover hitch. This afternoons one from Halfords. Is marked as A50-X and type approved etc
31st Jul 2016 6:50 pm
geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3170
It does sound like there is a problem with the stabiliser but to prove it do you no someone with a tow bar that you could tow the van with to prove its not your tow hitch or a member from here that may be able to help Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
1st Aug 2016 5:55 am
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Couple of people locally who I'm sure would help - but both away at moment!
Is into dealer tomorrow to get a couple of snagging issues rectified, so will ask them to look at.
Interestingly enough, having spend last night trawling caravan forums, seems to be a reasonably common issue. General advice seems to be (again all recommendations) stick a small amount of grease on ball - it stops the noise and embarrassment
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