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Subject Topic: AL-KO hitch damper
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Persondenmau
13/7/2014 at 11:42am
 Location: north east uk
 Outfit: Bailey beachcomber club 320 2 View denmau's Profile View Profile   Reply to denmau Reply   Quote denmau Quote  
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Has anybody had to replace their kaput damper fitted to the al-ko stabilizer towing hitch??

I'm pretty sure mine has had it.

If anyone has tackaled this job, could you advise if there were any tricky bits/problems etc.

Did you replace the stabilizer pads inside the hitch at the same time??

advice and comments, and prices would be appreciated.

I have noticed the dampers on e-bay and they seem quite pricey for the size of them...

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Gerrrraway den!


PersonAndy Higham
13/7/2014 at 1:19pm
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Its a 20 minute job.
The only tricky(ish) part is you will need to cut a length of round bar the same diameter as the attachment bolts and the same length as the draw tube. I used a piece of wooden dowelling I had lying around.
1) Undo the 2 bolts securing the hitch and remove.
2) Undo and remove the bolt at the back of the draw tube, you can usually reach it from underneath the A frame
3) Pull the old damper out and feed the new one in
4) Replace the back bolt and tighten
5) Push the end of the damper until the holes lines up and push in your "dowel"
6) Replace the hitch and push the front bolt in, then push the rear bolt in, it will push your dowel out
7) Tighten all bolts
8) Make a brew, sit down and admire your work


PersonGrampian91
13/7/2014 at 5:24pm
 Location: Midlands
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If you have nyloc nuts renew them or use threadlock to make sure they dont rattle loose.

The bar is 12mm diameter and 35mm long. I measure this for another member last week.


Persondenmau
13/7/2014 at 5:49pm
 Location: north east uk
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ey yup!

sounds like my type of job. weather prevailing, because I live in a wind tunnel lol!

question: in note 3, pull the old damper out and feed the new on in.... what holds it, is it the bolts??

any thoughts on a reputable supplier??

a big thanks for the instructions and measurments guys.

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Gerrrraway den!


PersonAndy Higham
13/7/2014 at 5:59pm
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The front of the damper is held by the rearmost hitch bolt, the back of the damper is held by the bolt at the back of the draw tube its usually vertical


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Persontedthebear
13/7/2014 at 7:46pm
 Location: Plymouth Devon
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To get the right damper you need the ETI number form the hitch head, remove the frame cover and stamped on the top of the A frame you should find a number such as     ETI 811011 that is the identifier for the damper


Persondenmau
13/7/2014 at 11:21pm
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Magic guys, thanks a lot for the help.


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Gerrrraway den!


Persondenmau
14/7/2014 at 12:11am
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Doh!..I forgot to ask,

do you need to remove the the jockey wheel, or support the A frame, or can the hich be removed without disturbing them??

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Gerrrraway den!


Persontedthebear
14/7/2014 at 1:20pm
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Jockey wheel can stay in place to support the caravan, don't forget to chock the wheels to stop any movement.


Persondenmau
14/7/2014 at 4:52pm
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will do Ted thanks.

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Gerrrraway den!


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Persontedthebear
14/7/2014 at 5:12pm
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http://www.westerntowing.co.uk/acatalog/Al_ko_Kober.html

some dampers here , also shows the ETi numbers for each type. You may be able to identify yours from this and possibly buy it cheaper elsewhere.


Persondenmau
14/7/2014 at 10:46pm
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cheers ted!

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Gerrrraway den!


Persondanlebath
13/3/2016 at 6:26pm
 Location: Otley West Yorkshire
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20 min job? Erm.. not it the nuts are seized ;-) Make sure you have some WD40 to hand. You'll also need a Torx 55 socket for the 2 front bolts, and 19mm socket and spanner for the rear bolt. Make sure you don't loose any of the shims, tubes and washers. Time taken about 2 hours

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Keep Calm and create a tailback


PersonAbbey315
06/5/2022 at 12:05pm
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Don't know if Al-ko changed them later but the hitch bolts on my 2004 Abbey require a 10mm Allen key.


PersonScankguy
via mobile 23/5/2022 at 8:07am
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Doing my alko 161s on a 2004 stabiliser just now. Note the front bolt is an 8mm hex not 10mm. It’s pretty tight and needs 86nm torque. I am using 1/2 inch impact drivers.

Old damper has come out but struggling to get new one in, it gets jammed in the tube. Is there any trick to this or could it be dirt/hardened grease that needs cleaning out???


Persontrog100
23/5/2022 at 9:52am
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you could try filing a it off the connector.. i would guess its just rust and junk in the tube..

trog



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