With my van on the towbar, it creaks and grones when turning. I have sprayed some silicone spray on the ball & coupling, also inside where the WDH goes. I know my van is not overweight. What could be the cause?
Possum3 said
02:41 PM Jun 25, 2017
Creaking when turning normally occurs when WDH are being used - if happening (at tow bar) without WDH fitted - Get it checked for faulty tow bar fitment. Are you certain of location of "creak/groan"? Leaf springs will emit noises when load shifts when turning.
Aus-Kiwi said
02:59 PM Jun 25, 2017
It does rely on some friction to work . Yes I hear them all the time . Quite normal ., To a point ? Maybe tow vehicles springs are a little soft ?
ST391GQ said
07:25 PM Jun 25, 2017
A rub with a Drylube stick before installing the WDH bars works for me ....quiet as...and lasts reasonably well in the wet too.
Cheers Keith
Hylife said
08:36 PM Jun 25, 2017
I would guess that it is your WDH that is creaking and not your ball or tow bar. The golden rule is, anything that has metal to metal rubbing needs a grease lube. Like a baby's bottom, if you don't spread that Vaseline around, the poor little blighter will get a bad case of nappy rash.
Grease your ball, your vans coupling cup, and for your WDH that means the underside of the bars that rub on the chain loops/hooks, and also the hitch end of the bars that go into the holes, and any washers and pins.
Yes they get dirty from dust etc but nothing an old rag can't simply wipe off when the crud builds up too much. In the back of the tug I make sure I have easy access to two things:- a) a plastic ball cover, & b) an old film canister (remember those?) full of some sticky purple high temp axel grease.
A tiny dab on the index finger and smear that where it's needed. No grease means creaking and groaning and accelerated wear.
Cupie said
11:27 PM Jun 25, 2017
Hylife wrote:
I would guess that it is your WDH that is creaking and not your ball or tow bar. The golden rule is, anything that has metal to metal rubbing needs a grease lube. Like a baby's bottom, if you don't spread that Vaseline around, the poor little blighter will get a bad case of nappy rash.
Grease your ball, your vans coupling cup, and for your WDH that means the underside of the bars that rub on the chain loops/hooks, and also the hitch end of the bars that go into the holes, and any washers and pins.
Yes they get dirty from dust etc but nothing an old rag can't simply wipe off when the crud builds up too much. In the back of the tug I make sure I have easy access to two things:- a) a plastic ball cover, & b) an old film canister (remember those?) full of some sticky purple high temp axel grease.
A tiny dab on the index finger and smear that where it's needed. No grease means creaking and groaning and accelerated wear.
Agree.
Since coming down a very steep & winding range with the 'hitch' groaning & screaming as if something was about to come adrift & send us over the side, I have been very careful to keep all the rubbing bits well greased.
Oh yes, I pulled up at the first opportunity and unhooked, lifted up & checked all wheels, inspected the chassis etc. Then I stopped for a cuppa, what I should have done first up. Thought a bit, then I greased all of the hitch surfaces & all was then OK. Been an advocate of greasing ever since.
woolman said
11:56 AM Jun 26, 2017
Try some Hayman Reece towball grease. works wonder and not dirty as other greases. Also lubricate the chain links top and bottom on hitch. Amazing what a difference that will make.
Official advice from HR and works not just a marketing ploy for their grease. Like you I don't like squeaks as it means wear.
Neil
johns said
03:10 PM Jun 26, 2017
Thanks for the info, I have a few things to work on. I didn't know anything about the weight on the springs.
I have noted that the measurement in the wheel arch between the front and back are different so maybe that could have something to do with it.( add more links )
As I said I use silicone spray so maybe try the dry stick instead
Desert Dweller said
05:04 PM Jun 27, 2017
We have a saying, ''here comes another three & a half tons of groaning metal''.
Craig1 said
08:18 PM Jun 27, 2017
Al Ko say today that " keep the ball & hitch clean", grease not necessary. But a light grease may be ok. Hayman Reece will be investigated, nothing much worse than cheap grease.
blaze said
08:30 PM Jun 27, 2017
Craig1 wrote:
Al Ko say today that " keep the ball & hitch clean", grease not necessary. But a light grease may be ok. Hayman Reece will be investigated, nothing much worse than cheap grease.
Agree with ALKO, been keeping my balls clean for years
cheers
blaze
Aus-Kiwi said
08:35 PM Jun 27, 2017
Yea . It's my hips now !! Lol greasing them but still creak !! More so in the morning !!
Big Mal said
07:19 AM Jun 28, 2017
BUT if the creaking and groaning starts to sound like when you twist and turn an alloy beer can then check the towbar mounts on the chassis, it may be cracking..........
Dick0 said
05:25 PM Jun 29, 2017
Desert Dweller wrote:
We have a saying, ''here comes another three & a half tons of groaning metal''.
I think YOU have the saying...not WE.
blaze said
05:58 PM Jun 29, 2017
Dick0 wrote:
Desert Dweller wrote:
We have a saying, ''here comes another three & a half tons of groaning metal''.
I think YOU have the saying...not WE.
I would sugest to you dicko if there were two people in said vehicle the correct term would be WE
cheers
blaze
Dick0 said
09:58 PM Jun 29, 2017
blaze wrote:
Dick0 wrote:
Desert Dweller wrote:
We have a saying, ''here comes another three & a half tons of groaning metal''.
I think YOU have the saying...not WE.
I would sugest to you dicko if there were two people in said vehicle the correct term would be WE
cheers
blaze
Depending on the viewpoint, "WE" also means collectively. The saying is not one of mine.
Tricky language is English, as WE spell suggest correctly.
macka17 said
11:44 AM Jun 30, 2017
Metal to metal.
Forget all these "modern" treatments.
Grease it.
I've been doing so on Draglines and machinery since '59\'60.
Long term Nothing takes it's place.
I have 2 lever grease guns.
One pressure gun with 7lb Bucket.
and a small single handed push greaser from the '70's.
and LOTS of greases.
Even a little tube here of Lithium Synthetic grease\lube for my Torches.
(I'm a torch freak. 13 at last count and Building another two.
With one more in post from States.
Dick0 said
02:43 PM Jun 30, 2017
johns...had the same problem...sprays did not help.
Used bearing grease on tow ball and wdh. Problem was solved and no further creaking.
Also, had to grease chains to torsion bars contact.
Grease collects dust & dirt so a clean every so often and re-grease, does the trick.
Hopefully someone could advise me of the cause.
With my van on the towbar, it creaks and grones when turning. I have sprayed some silicone spray on the ball & coupling, also inside where the WDH goes. I know my van is not overweight. What could be the cause?
A rub with a Drylube stick before installing the WDH bars works for me ....quiet as...and lasts reasonably well in the wet too.
Cheers Keith
I would guess that it is your WDH that is creaking and not your ball or tow bar.
The golden rule is, anything that has metal to metal rubbing needs a grease lube.
Like a baby's bottom, if you don't spread that Vaseline around, the poor little blighter will get a bad case of nappy rash.
Grease your ball, your vans coupling cup, and for your WDH that means the underside of the bars that rub on the chain loops/hooks, and also the hitch end of the bars that go into the holes, and any washers and pins.
Yes they get dirty from dust etc but nothing an old rag can't simply wipe off when the crud builds up too much.
In the back of the tug I make sure I have easy access to two things:- a) a plastic ball cover, & b) an old film canister (remember those?) full of some sticky purple high temp axel grease.
A tiny dab on the index finger and smear that where it's needed. No grease means creaking and groaning and accelerated wear.
Agree.
Since coming down a very steep & winding range with the 'hitch' groaning & screaming as if something was about to come adrift & send us over the side, I have been very careful to keep all the rubbing bits well greased.
Oh yes, I pulled up at the first opportunity and unhooked, lifted up & checked all wheels, inspected the chassis etc. Then I stopped for a cuppa, what I should have done first up. Thought a bit, then I greased all of the hitch surfaces & all was then OK. Been an advocate of greasing ever since.
Try some Hayman Reece towball grease. works wonder and not dirty as other greases. Also lubricate the chain links top and bottom on hitch. Amazing what a difference that will make.
Official advice from HR and works not just a marketing ploy for their grease. Like you I don't like squeaks as it means wear.
Neil
I have noted that the measurement in the wheel arch between the front and back are different so maybe that could have something to do with it.( add more links )
As I said I use silicone spray so maybe try the dry stick instead
We have a saying, ''here comes another three & a half tons of groaning metal''.
Agree with ALKO, been keeping my balls clean for years
cheers
blaze
I think YOU have the saying...not WE.
I would sugest to you dicko if there were two people in said vehicle the correct term would be WE
cheers
blaze
Depending on the viewpoint, "WE" also means collectively. The saying is not one of mine.
Tricky language is English, as WE spell suggest correctly.
Forget all these "modern" treatments.
Grease it.
I've been doing so on Draglines and machinery since '59\'60.
Long term Nothing takes it's place.
I have 2 lever grease guns.
One pressure gun with 7lb Bucket.
and a small single handed push greaser from the '70's.
and LOTS of greases.
Even a little tube here of Lithium Synthetic grease\lube for my Torches.
(I'm a torch freak. 13 at last count and Building another two.
With one more in post from States.
johns...had the same problem...sprays did not help.
Used bearing grease on tow ball and wdh. Problem was solved and no further creaking.
Also, had to grease chains to torsion bars contact.
Grease collects dust & dirt so a clean every so often and re-grease, does the trick.
That's how I solved my creaking problem.
Next are the knees and hips.