Mt ratchet hand wheel has dropped off the Erica, luckily in the garden and I have also found the friction pad and two washers, one plain the other with silver increments which I am guessing makes the click when tensioning.. question is, is that all there is so I can assemble it if I get the split rings as that seems to have been lost. The ratchet handle centre has a little rust, so not sure if I have lost something or a washer that goes before the split ring.

and the pics
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This might help Taffy

How to: Change the Pads in an AL-KO AKS 1300 STABILISER

The silver bits you mention are small roller bearings see my topic in link above.

This picture shows what I had that side ........ not sure the extra spacer is on all of them or just mine? you might want to have another look below or it may still be inside the hitch?

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fab, I went out and undid the red tensioner and could feel the other thicker spacer sitting inside. Pushed it out so I have it safe until reassembly. No my next question is the centre of the tensioner, should it have anything sitting in the recess or just the split ring to fix it firm. Just with a bit of rust that is in the gap on my photo makes me wonder if any washer needed to be there before the split ring.

No just the clip, There is a design fault on these hitches in as much as there is nothing to prevent owners opening them too far which either forces the clip into the knob jamming it open or pushing the clip off like you have.

I always tell people to wind it open until you feel a slight resistance then wind it back in 1\2 turn to prevent problems.

It will be open enough to get off the tow ball without problems.

Sorry but this video is in German although following the sequence of pad replacement is pretty much straight forward. The video also stresses that is is important to lightly oil the shank of the pads to prevent the possibility of them becoming stuck. Obviously this has not been the case with yours as there is far too much rust present. It would also appear that a spacer is not always necessary but as your obviously has it might be advisable to continue using them.

Zitat

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It would also appear that a spacer is not always necessary but as your obviously has it might be advisable to continue using them.

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Alan looking at that I think maybe the other spacer is still inside the hitch (much like Taffy's was)

Taffy if you want to fit new ones there is a link to a supplier in my "how to" topic (you get 4 new clips with a new set as well)

looking at that video, there is a black washer in the circle of the tension knob

Quote: Taffy wrote in post #9

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looking at that video, there is a black washer in the circle of the tension knob

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nope checked again and nothing, it is only rust and dust and the amount of rust indicates to me that moisture may have been behind the plastic washer wherever that has dropped of wherever the split ring has gone !

There is a chance you lost the clip on your last trip, with the tow ball in place nothing would fall out until you unhitched it.

The friction pads should all have exactly what you have shown and should be assembled as in the photo - first the thin washer, then the roller bearings and finally the thick washer. When purchasing the new friction pads only 2 circlips are included. The washers and bearings are not included in the price. They are avaiable for about £18.00. Shims are also available to extend the life of worn pads.

Have ordered new friction pads and also the seal bearings, may as well change them. Thanks all for the help.

Friction pads changed although I didn't do the seals as the lever required undoing and it needed lock tight if I could have budged the retaking screw. But also hooked up my new car to test and ford have done good and fridge works when in transit. The tow ball is a little closer to the bumper than my retro fit on the previous car but it all hooked up ok.