I understand that there's a fix for the terrible rattle from the factory tow bar using a bolt rather than a pin - can anyone expand?

It's on a 2008 TDV8 Vogue with the height-adjustable LR drop-plate fitting.

instead of the quick remove pin which enables you to remove your tow bar quickly, the pin is replaced with a bolt which is helicoiled into the drawbar as well. Makes it very hard to remove, but stops the rattle.

Personally I just push a business card into the gap between the bar and mount socket to take up the slack, stops the rattle and I can remove the tow bar within 30 seconds if need be. If you want to make your tow bar thief proof, just remove the "R" clip and drill the hole out larger in the retaining pin and replace the "R" clip with a suitably sized padlock.

Thanks - not quite so "quick-release".

Tried pieces of card, rubber sheet etc. on this and the previous one. It's never taken off, so bolting it in isn't a big deal.

When I got mine it rattled badly and the dealer ended up fitting a new armature, mine was fitted with a North America spec one, new removable drop plate and a bolt.

I don't think my armature has a helicoil in it.

The bolt is tightened to somewhere around 160lb/ft if I remember correctly, I have got a leaaflet somewhere so will have a look for it.

It has been silent for the last five years, never been removed either.

Ian

Will see what the dealer says when it's next serviced.

It only rattles with an empty trailer.

Vogue

Where is it 'helicoiled'?

I thourght the bolts were / are only for the swan neck ball.

When I bought mine, I couldn't release the towbar so I had to unbolt the mount and use the square blanking plug in it's absence. I've never been able to free it from the mount, despite emptying a whole can of WD40 into it and leaving it overnight. Anyone know of another solution? 2010 MY Vogue SE TDV8 3.6 Stornoway Grey- fully loaded

noddy - you could try heating the area of the plate around which the bolt is lodged into

Noddy

Are you talking about the swan neck type?

Where did you get your blankong plug from?

I need 2 of them

nbunney wrote:

Vogue

Where is it 'helicoiled'?

I thourght the bolts were / are only for the swan neck ball.

nbunney wrote:

Noddy

Are you talking about the swan neck type?

Where did you get your blankong plug from?

I need 2 of them

I don't know if the FFRR Swan neck fitting is the same as the RRS but for RRS you have to have a key to release the tow hitch from the fitting..................... do you have the key Noddy - it is possible that it has broken off inside the lock as that was a common problem with RRS, the key was very thin and snapped easily and was very fiddly as you had to turn a plastic release at the same time as turning the key and pulling the hook out of the receiver......... a 3 handed job! 2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 PHEV in Melting Silver - it’s whisper quiet in EV and polluter modes

Tim

Yes they do have a key, with a big red plastic handle.

Remoove bar, on 2 sides at 90deg to each other weld 2 beads per side with a mig, file to a snug fit back in the armature. spray black and apply a generouse dollop of heavy grease.
Robert is your mothers brother. letters not necessarily in the right order