Volvo detachable tow-bar

GordyBev · Jun 4th, 2020, 16:57

Hi,
I have recently bought a V60 D5 estate with a Volvo detachable towbar which has never been used.
I have tried fitting it but no matter how hard I push I cannot get it to slide in far enough to 'click' and for the green indicator to show. I have unlocked it with the key.
Is there something obvious that I'm missing?
Thanks
GordyBev

JJJ · Jun 4th, 2020, 20:25

Possibly the key has to be inserted and rotated against a spring and held there while the hitch is pushed in?

Does the hitch protrude noticeably further than before?

Whyman · Jun 4th, 2020, 21:53

As you say the tow bar should be inserted with a firm push and should click in.

The key should rotate through 180 degrees to unlock it .

If the mechanism is unlocked you should be able to twist and push it in towards the body of the tow bar.

It might be that because it has never been used the mechanism may be seized. Try soaking it with WD40 to see if this sorts it out

Whyman · Jun 5th, 2020, 11:02

I have just checked my Volvo one and can confirm that it can be inserted locked as well as unlocked.

Two thoughts

1. Is the silver piece at the opposite end to the ball sicking out more than 1cm. If yes then it is in the fixed position and the indicator shows green. It needs to be retracted. To do this unlock the mechanism and push the lever in and turn anti clockwise, as per the arrows on the lever until it clicks back in and the indicator will go red and you can then only turn it slightly.

2. To test the mechanism with the ball upwards push the silver part at the opposite end of the ball into a hard surface such as concrete or a piece of wood. It should pop out and the indicator window should go green. To reset it turn the lever as per the arrow and it will click back in and the indicator will go red.

GordyBev · Jun 10th, 2020, 21:02

Many thanks for the appreciated advice. The mechanism isn't seized as I can perform the test in WHYMAN's second post.
I am just puzzled as to why it isn't behaving. Without the towbar inserted I can get the indicator to show red or green but when I try to push it in the red won't turn to green no matter how the key is turned.
I guess it's just going to take time and impatience!

Thanks again.

eddyp · Jun 11th, 2020, 18:07

I had this problem with my tow bar that hadn't been used much. Plenty of lubricant over it and then hit the tongue a couple of times with a hammer to free it off and it then worked fine.

Whyman · Jun 11th, 2020, 18:24

Two more things.

I have looked at the Brink website and it clearly stated that you should not use any lubrication or grease on the mechanism.

Is the housing that you insert the towball into blocked in some way? On mine with the cover removed you can see all of the way through housing. Is there something jammed in there?

moosehead74 · Jun 12th, 2020, 14:37

I must admit I always struggle with mine. There does seem to be a bit of technique. Maybe pop it into your local dealer and see if one of them would have a quick look at it.

uniqueue · Jun 12th, 2020, 20:42

It locks in when you push the ball down with the two spigots behind the hook. Tthe bar has to clear the hook before you rey and lock it down.
It isnt a "slide it straight in" - (ohhh madam

) -

GordyBev · Jun 16th, 2020, 19:59

No blockage, I've looked but I think uniqueu has maybe made an interesting point which I'll try to emulate.

Jun 4th, 2020, 16:57	#1
GordyBev New Member Last Online: Mar 22nd, 2024 19:52 Join Date: May 2020 Location: Rosyth	Volvo detachable tow-bar Hi, I have recently bought a V60 D5 estate with a Volvo detachable towbar which has never been used. I have tried fitting it but no matter how hard I push I cannot get it to slide in far enough to 'click' and for the green indicator to show. I have unlocked it with the key. Is there something obvious that I'm missing? Thanks GordyBev

Jun 4th, 2020, 21:53	#3
Whyman Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 17:09 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Newark	As you say the tow bar should be inserted with a firm push and should click in. The key should rotate through 180 degrees to unlock it . If the mechanism is unlocked you should be able to twist and push it in towards the body of the tow bar. It might be that because it has never been used the mechanism may be seized. Try soaking it with WD40 to see if this sorts it out __________________ XC60 2013 D5 215 SE Lux Nav geartronic

Jun 5th, 2020, 11:02	#4
Whyman Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 17:09 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Newark	I have just checked my Volvo one and can confirm that it can be inserted locked as well as unlocked. Two thoughts 1. Is the silver piece at the opposite end to the ball sicking out more than 1cm. If yes then it is in the fixed position and the indicator shows green. It needs to be retracted. To do this unlock the mechanism and push the lever in and turn anti clockwise, as per the arrows on the lever until it clicks back in and the indicator will go red and you can then only turn it slightly. 2. To test the mechanism with the ball upwards push the silver part at the opposite end of the ball into a hard surface such as concrete or a piece of wood. It should pop out and the indicator window should go green. To reset it turn the lever as per the arrow and it will click back in and the indicator will go red. __________________ XC60 2013 D5 215 SE Lux Nav geartronic

Jun 10th, 2020, 21:02	#5
GordyBev New Member Last Online: Mar 22nd, 2024 19:52 Join Date: May 2020 Location: Rosyth	In gratitude Many thanks for the appreciated advice. The mechanism isn't seized as I can perform the test in WHYMAN's second post. I am just puzzled as to why it isn't behaving. Without the towbar inserted I can get the indicator to show red or green but when I try to push it in the red won't turn to green no matter how the key is turned. I guess it's just going to take time and impatience! Thanks again.

Jun 11th, 2020, 18:24	#7
Whyman Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 17:09 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Newark	Two more things. I have looked at the Brink website and it clearly stated that you should not use any lubrication or grease on the mechanism. Is the housing that you insert the towball into blocked in some way? On mine with the cover removed you can see all of the way through housing. Is there something jammed in there? __________________ XC60 2013 D5 215 SE Lux Nav geartronic

Jun 4th, 2020, 20:25	#2
JJJ Junior Member Last Online: Aug 7th, 2022 17:04 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Pretoria	Possibly the key has to be inserted and rotated against a spring and held there while the hitch is pushed in? Does the hitch protrude noticeably further than before?

Jun 11th, 2020, 18:07	#6
eddyp Junior Member Last Online: Apr 15th, 2024 13:27 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Coventry	I had this problem with my tow bar that hadn't been used much. Plenty of lubricant over it and then hit the tongue a couple of times with a hammer to free it off and it then worked fine.

Jun 12th, 2020, 14:37	#8
moosehead74 Junior Member Last Online: Feb 5th, 2022 17:29 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Bath	I must admit I always struggle with mine. There does seem to be a bit of technique. Maybe pop it into your local dealer and see if one of them would have a quick look at it.

Jun 12th, 2020, 20:42	#9
uniqueue Member Last Online: Apr 11th, 2024 22:00 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: somewhere over the rainbow	It locks in when you push the ball down with the two spigots behind the hook. Tthe bar has to clear the hook before you rey and lock it down. It isnt a "slide it straight in" - (ohhh madam ) -

Jun 16th, 2020, 19:59	#10
GordyBev New Member Last Online: Mar 22nd, 2024 19:52 Join Date: May 2020 Location: Rosyth	No blockage, I've looked but I think uniqueu has maybe made an interesting point which I'll try to emulate.

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