I tried to fit my new tow ball this morning but it will not engage with the receiver. I even put the car into full height mode and lowered it down into a block of word but it still wouldn't go in.

When I rotate the knob, the ball bearings loosen but they don't seem to retract inwards enough to pass the lip inside the receiver.

There's nothing in the instructions so can anyone help?

Last edited by Andy on 22nd Sep 2013 7:54pm. Edited 1 time in total

is there a plastic bung in the receiver. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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Perhaps you're not turning the knob enough? I have a new removal ball and towbar and I found I wasn't quite turning it enough, it took quite a bit of doing but once I'd got it turned far enough it went it, I take it you're using the key? I didn't find it was that obvious that I'd opened it up enough so keep trying and make sure it's opened up fully

I had this problem myself when I went to fit the tow ball for the first time. I tried forcing it in with no joy it simply wouldn't lock. It then dawned on me there was slight surface corrosion on the notched bottom part of the receiver so I took a file to it and removed the corrosion and bingo worked first time. I was surprised how tight the tolerances were but well worth a try if you cant get it to work.

Are you pulling the knob out before turning it?

You need to pull out the knob then rotate it....

If it wont pull out its locked There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Had the same thing, thought I was doing right by painting the rough inner surfaces (not the obvious machined mating parts) to deter rust etc: found out that both parts are a close tolerance fit throughout the depth of the parts. I had assumed it was just the bits where they are finished to a high spec. The thickness of the paint on one surface inside was enough to stop the bar mating home. Soon came off again, and the bar was straight in.

I've turned the knob as far as it will go and pulled it out.

I've removed the receiver and the top plastic bung to see what's what. It does look a bit rusty inside so I'll give it a clean when I get back from hols

Is the tow bar ball bearing end meant to be greased?

just had a similar problem with the westafalia bar we had fitted to the wife's Audi Q3, there is a known issue with a burr on the release pin with Westfalia bars, getting the pin moving several times is usually enough to remove the burr and getting the bar to work as it should. As you say yours is new, contact your fitter/supplier and they should be able to rectify this for you. My fitter came back and within 10 minutes the problem was solved

Westfalia system is the same on Q3 as it is on the FFRR, so should be comparable...

Yes the bearings are meant to have a bit of grease on them.

When you pull out the knob then turn it does it lock into the open position?
It should. If it doesnt then the problem lies with the detachable bit. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

I bought mine new off a forum member. Didn't find out it wouldn't fit till this morning when we were about to set off for Cornwall!

northernmonkeyjones wrote:

Are you pulling the knob out before turning it?

You need to pull out the knob then rotate it....

Nuff said

just read that back.

Too many knobs? There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6