It might just be me, but tried to take it off and no go, put key in, turn key turn black knob all the way and pull down it does not move, any ideas?

Should i just whack it with a mallet?

Hi

Mine was stuck when I first had the car.

I used a small gas torch to heat the outer casting up, than hit the tow bar will a large hammer

It's a tight fit and with a bit of rust aroudn it does stick.

Good luck!!

Simon

You could try prising off the black plastic bung on the top of the receiver part and pouring in copious amounts of WD40 and keep working the black knob. You might be lucky. It worked eventually for me. The three retractable ball bearings that lock the removable part into the receiver tend to corrode into the locked position, hence your problem.
If / when you do get it out, regular lubrication stops it happening again.

blow lamp and lube it is at lunch time oh and a big hammer, i have a new cover from Dan and will keep it clean once its out

The moving parts do tend to seize, especially if left in the socket for long periods. The sprung prong at the back (not sure what it is called) seems to get clogged with dirt and benefits from cleaning and lubrication. Perhaps removing the holder from the armature might give better access for cleaning and for allowing penetrating oil to run into it. Only Range Rovers since 1988

Removing from the armature is a good option - provided that's not also seized.

Once you finally get it off, you will be amazed that 3 small ballbearings is enough to hold it in place - I certainly was.

you don't just turn the knob you need to push it in and turn it at the same time.

Failing that push in turn and whack with a club hammer near the ball a few times.  There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
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you should be able to remove the pin/bolt from the whole slot-in 'unit' and get the hook, and socket onto a bench........and then resort to the big ol' hammer!

before you do, give it a soaking with pentrating fluid, and few gentle taps, while you drink some tea. the 'twist-the-key, twist the knob, and pull outwards' method is how i think you get it off, not just 'twist'
there are some threads on the proccedure on here.

There is a key? I removed mine whole to fit a higher drop-plate type hitch but did not notice a keyway on the removed unit, nor do I have any key that might be the right one - I only got car keys with the vehicle.


Chris

northernmonkeyjones wrote:

you don't just turn the knob you need to push it in and turn it at the same time.

Failing that push in turn and whack with a club hammer near the ball a few times.

Im sure you pull the black knob NMJ sir NOT push it... Just for clarities sakes

gbmud wrote:

There is a key? I removed mine whole to fit a higher drop-plate type hitch but did not notice a keyway on the removed unit, nor do I have any key that might be the right one - I only got car keys with the vehicle.


Chris

to clarify, the different types of towbar, and with pictures.
http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic32013....alia+hitch
westfalia type, key into knob, turn key, then turn and pull the knob. rattle hook, and it drops off.
hitch type, remove pin, get the hammer and swear tin, and begin........

I stand corrected, could be pull, it's that long since I've taken the tin tent out i can't remember!! 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

The piece with the turning wheel that pulls out and turns to remove the detachable tow hook and then stays in the 'out' position until the hook is restored to the holder, when it snaps back and can be locked with the red-topped key, is also prone to seizing and benefits from being lubricated and turned/pulled etc until it all works freely. I'd spend time on that before using big hammers - the fixed hook is designed to hold 3.5 tons and I expect it won't budge easily when locked in position.

Incidentally if the socket gets any dirt into it (eg if your dealers reverse the car into an earth bank at the back of their car park ) it prevents the hook locating properly and the inside of the socket then needs a good clean-out. That is probably no bad thing from time to time anyway, as the red plastic stopper for the bottom of the socket does not seal that well. Only Range Rovers since 1988