Leaf spring stabiliser
 

Do these lose their strength and tension after so long? I noticed yesterda after negotiating a tight turn on a site the end that sits on the caravan bracket had come out, and I was able to lift it back on, then off again without much pressure. Also it creaks and groans terribly on turns, despite it being lubricated. Its 11 years old now.

I think you are supposed to replace the friction disks at some stage Rich, which would affect the noise. As regards tension, could it be that the same discs are badly worn and are allowing too much up and down flex ?

Thanks for that Rod, don’t know how to do that, might just get a new one next season.

Can anyone link to a how to change the friction pads in a blade type stabiliser,as Rod mentioned above please?

I'll find you a guide tomorrow mate - what make is your stabiliser?

On my stabilizer, you can tighten the friction discs up by tightening the nut on the other end of the eccentric locking bolt. This also pulls the arm down a bit and keeps it in the hook on the van.

Mick

Hi Rich
THIS link gets you to the instructions for checking tension on a blade stabiliser (near the bottom of page 1). Adjustment as they say is via the large nylok nut on the top - and if you dismantle it altogether by removing that nut, you can replace the friction disks. Beware of cracking the new disk(s) if they aren't properly seated when you re-tighten the nut :eek:
Replacement disks can be got from either the manufacturer (e.g. Bulldog) or most caravan accessory dealers - I've always used Towsure in Sheffield.

If you're thinking of a new one, Towsure are offering their Snakemaster one for £70 - I used that model for about 15 years with no problem.
My latest 'van came with an Alko stabiliser built into the hitch - but they're around £300 plus and I'm not convinced they are as effective as the blade type.

Thank you both for that will try tightening the nut first,and if that doesn’t work, will replace the discs.