winterhoff ws3000 friction pads

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However, if you are not able to properly clean off the glazing on the friction pads, they are still likely to produce various groaning noises while towing. Furthermore, at some point, the pads will need replacing. They produce their own product with features similar to the ATC system known as iDC (Intelligent Drive Control). Quite a few Elddis caravans feature the BPW chassis along with iDC. Active Caravan Stabilisation Conclusions There are mechanical caravan stabilisers and active electronic systems of various types, which I’ll discuss below. What Is A Caravan Stabiliser & How Does It Work? There are obviously pros and cons to this design discussed below: Blade Type Caravan Stabiliser Pros

The caravan pitches either side of the axle, putting more and then less force on the car’s tow ball. The speed at which you are travelling can make a difference in how significantly you notice the pitching effect. The above diagram shows all the steps of how to replace the friction pads on a Winterhoff caravan stabiliser hitch: Image – winterhoff.de Conclusions On Repairing & Replacing Caravan Hitch Friction Pads This, in turn, can melt the surface of the friction pads. That’s why as you will see in the video below, surface ‘glazing’. This is essentially the result of the surface of the friction pad melting during use. How To Change AL-KO Hitch Friction Pads/LinerThe tighter the grip the better it works, however when the turning forces have to overcome the frictional grip, something has to give and that is always going to be the grip on the ball. This will occur multiple times as the caravan turns and straightens. This creates the groaning noise you hear and dislike so much. The hitch is just doing its job with maximum effect. However, its important to remember the condition of your towball is very important. For instance, it should be clean from any sort of grease/lubricant. If your caravan is pitching, it will probably feel like you’re not on the road but a boat on the ocean bobbing up and down. Dan shows how to remove and replace AL-KO hitch friction pads. However, he also shows how to recondition old pads and discusses shims.

You will hear people using various terms to describe instability, such as pitching, swaying and snaking, but what do they actually mean? Caravan Pitching If that’s the case, then you may need to replace the front friction liner and rear friction pad. Its not really possible to repair/recondition these items, unlike the side friction pads. Julian shows how to take apart an AL-KO caravan hitch to remove and replace the front friction liner and rear friction pad. Also included in the kit were a four sleeves catering for four different diameters of drawshaft used on trailers and caravans although in my case none of them were necessary. After fitting the Winterhoff onto the drawshaft, the rear bolt was tapped through, driving the pin out. You can have the AL-KO ATC caravan stabilisation system retrofitted to your caravan. Alternatives To The AL-KO ATC System

Just get out more and go further away avoiding, as best you can, motorways for the journeys and live with the noise until it stops.

Other companies, such as Winterhoff, also produce hitch head stabilisers. There are pros and cons to each type of caravan stabiliser, which I will discuss below. Many modern cars have electronic towing assistance features built into the car to correct for sway/snaking.

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As others have said, they need to bed in. If you rub the pads and ball with an abrasive, you will accelerate the wear, but it will be uneven. They should not be seen as a reason to avoid loading your caravan properly with good balance and weight distribution. Other contamination can be from the towball, this should be bare steel and always kept clean. A new towball should be cleaned of any dull silver corrosion protection, zinc plating or other paint coating prior to use. The final job was to use a Stanley knife to cut the gaiter to allow it to fit over the rear bolt head and nut.

If you do think the clamp handle is going down much more easily than before, just swap the old for new.

In the video, Dan does discuss how to recondition the existing friction pads as opposed to just swapping them out for new ones. This is obviously a personal choice, but do consider their state of wear. Contamination is the most likely problem, commonly caused by contamination from vehicle exhausts. The picture below shows both clean friction pads and those where exhaust soot has polished onto the surface. Now, if you have a modern caravan, you will probably already have a hitch head stabiliser fitted, such as those below. However, even if you keep within the weight limits of your caravan and load it correctly, there are times (potholes/wind gusts) when snaking may still happen. However old or new your caravan is, I believe its important to have some form of stabiliser fitted. For it to work effectively, you also need to make sure its properly maintained (friction pad replacement).