Problem tow ball fitting

Sues
Sues Forum Participant Posts: 33
edited February 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

We have a detachable tow fitting on our car.  We inherited it and it’s never been used.  It’s clean and as the neck hasn’t been in situ and the mechanism is as new (it’s been stored in the car) even though the car is three years old.  

We have tried to fit the neck but it didn’t “click” or show a green window.  We tried to remove it to try again and now cant remove it.  It isn’t fitted secure enough to use but for some reason we can’t get it off to try again.

I've read where others have had a similar problem and have put this down to the mechanism being dirty but as this isn’t the case with us not quite sure what to do.

Advice gratefully received.

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited February 2019 #2

    Can't advise other than to say that I would pay a call on my local towbar fitting company unless I knew who originally fitted

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #3

    +1

    It could well be that as you have used it so little you have missed out some step in attaching it? You could try and google your problem? 

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,640 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #4

    Try spraying the whole of the connecting parts with a silicon spray. This may help to remove it, and then respray the connecting mechanism. Ours was very stiff to attach when we first got it but fits much better after regular use.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2019 #5

    YOU have a detachable tow ball? laughing wink undecided

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2019 #6

    I would suggest the mechanism is dirty.  Not the bit that was carefully stored inside but the bit underneath that has filled up with salt, grit and rust through not being used.

    Damned if you do - damned if you don't.

     

  • Glenn T
    Glenn T Forum Participant Posts: 49
    edited February 2019 #7

    I had the same problem ( as suggested by Nagivateur )

    A  small area of rust had formed on the shoulder,  which stopped the main body of the towbar from going all the way in. I had to lay on my back with a pair of goggles on to remove the rust. No more problems, just make sure the area is covered In a smearing of grease, replace the plastic cover back in when towbar removed. Then go and have a cup of tea. Remove goggles.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2019 #8

    Some times, towbars get partially stuck & require the judicious use of a large soft face hammer to fully engage them so the locking key can be removed & the knob turns fully. It might then come off easier.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2019 #9

    you don't say what make the towbar is. If its a witter you have to hold it up and pull rearward on the ball to engage the spring where as if its a westfalia it needs to be pushed upwards to engage the spring

  • Sues
    Sues Forum Participant Posts: 33
    edited February 2019 #10

    Just to say that I went back to the garage I'd just purchased the car from.  Even though the tow bar etc hadn't been used a bit had broken off and was preventing the tow ball being fitted correctly or removed for a re-try.  Now waiting for a new part that the garage will fit for us and I might just ask them to pop it on.

    Thank you to all for your suggestions.

    Sue

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