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Subject Topic: Over run damper
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PersonDrizzy1975
02/8/2015 at 6:37pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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I have removed the old hitch today and fitted the aks 1300. Followed the instructions to the word. However when I was fitting the rear bolt
( the one where the pin was to secure the damper ) I accidentally had a lost of concentration when my neighbour was talking to me! The damper moved forward!!

I removed everything and pushed it back into position with the end of a ratchet until it was lined up so I could couple the stud bolt I place again.

Is this okay? Or do I need to compress it fully and let it move forward?

I have tried to compress the hitch by hand but it won't budge?!

Any ideas or suggestions please??


PersonDrizzy1975
02/8/2015 at 9:31pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
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In addition I am looking through the instructions and can't seam to resolve the conflict of the torque setting on the 2 horizontal bolts??

Any ideas? I have seen 60, 77, 80, 86 Nm ????


Personnavver
02/8/2015 at 9:59pm
 Location: West country
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Should be OK but make sure the back bolt actually goes through the hole in the end of the damper. If the damper pushes in and is hard to pull back out it will be correct.

Shouldn't need to push it all the way in. You may need the hand brake off to be able to push it in and it may be very hard to push if it is a heavy van.

Best way is probably hitch it on the car and see if the over-run brake and auto reverse work ok on the road.


PersonDrizzy1975
02/8/2015 at 10:31pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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Thanks for the reply. First time away on Wednesday morning so hope will be okay. I am getting the tow vehicle tomorrow evening so will have a little test run. Nightmare that it happened but all solvable in the end I suppose! Just hope that the damper is set back okay and not running the brakes or not at all. I did push the van around and was running smoothly. I have a slight twist on the hitch 20/25 degrees, this is normal I think, it just won't push in toward the van.

My car battery failed today so RAC came out to give me a boost. When he was here I used his torque wench and tightened the horizontal bolts on the new aks1300 to 77nm do you think it's enough or do I go with the 86nm I have read up about, no real answer anywhere?


Personbilly
03/8/2015 at 6:56pm
 Location: North Essex
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Probably hitch draw tube needs removing and cleaning up. Also good idea to ream bushes as they expand and tube will not slide in and out smoothly as you have found. Also regrease, obviously. I wouldn't worry about torque settings just tighten hard.


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PersonDrizzy1975
03/8/2015 at 7:10pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
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Good advice. I will attach to the tow vehicle and try out the braking forward and reverse. I suspect you feel the van braking a little behind you under forward braking motion?


Personalan126
03/8/2015 at 7:56pm
 Location: West Scotland
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dont use ordinary multi purpose grease, use a lithium grease

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knockhill marshal and proud


Personnavver
03/8/2015 at 8:46pm
 Location: West country
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When braking you feel the caravan brakes come on slightly after the car brakes. Only a short delay but noticeable and I find it reassuring knowing they are working.


PersonDrizzy1975
03/8/2015 at 9:29pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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I hope mine will work in the same reassuring way! :)


Personparkranger
04/8/2015 at 10:32am
 Location: glasgow
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dont worry too much about torque you will know when it is tight enough. your elbow will be your torque wrench. i have changed these alkos many times, regarding damper as long as you got bolt through hole in damper job is done. you could check the brake adjusters behind the wheel hub if you are not happy with braking.


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PersonDrizzy1975
04/8/2015 at 10:41am
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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I am having new tires fitted tomorrow at A/T/S I will check under the van to check the braking system when the van is up on the ramps


PersonGrampian91
04/8/2015 at 2:09pm
 Location: Midlands
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ATS? Make sure they balance them, when i had some fitted by them they said caravan wheel/tyres did not need balancing. I had to insist.


PersonDrizzy1975
04/8/2015 at 2:51pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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I have also insisted that they are balanced when I booked the appointment



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