Thanks to Frantone for submitting this guide

Use a thin blade to remove the end covers



Tap out the friction pads with a blunt drift. There are 2 'stops' before the pad will be loose in the socket and can be pulled out.



The pads become glazed with use.



Before.



Gently held in the jaws of a cordless drill they can be deglazed with a piece of emery cloth.



After

This can of course be done by hand if you don't have access to a drill.

The other 2 fixed friction pads in the head can be removed or cleaned up in situ.



There is a small O ring in the shaft of each friction pad and when refitting the pad this is easily displaced. A touch of silicone lubricant on the shaft will help to ease it back in place.

I believe that much of the hitch noise that people experience could be attributed to the shaft being tarnished, contaminated with dust or rubbing. A touch of grease may help as long as it is kept away from the pads.

Brake cleaner spray (available from a car accessory shop) will remove dust from the socket.

The pads only need finger pressure to relocate them in their shafts and that's it, the job is done.