Plated Towball

JohnDavo · Jul 7th, 2020, 22:34

I am in the process ( hopefully) of ordering a new XC40 with the retractable towbar.

I understand that the towball of this is zinc nickel plated.

I am well used to removing paint from other towballs as required by Alko for their hitch head.

Does anyone know if I will need to remove the Zinc Nickel plating?

Thanks

John

4x4 · Jul 7th, 2020, 22:44

Think you would have a mammoth job trying to remove the sink nickel plating. Just give the ball a good wipe down with brake cleaner or isopropyl alcohol to remove any grease

60041 · Jul 7th, 2020, 22:44

No, there is no need to remove the plating.
If it’s anything like my tow ball, the plating wears off quite quickly anyway as the Alko stabiliser pads are quite aggressive.

Whyman · Jul 8th, 2020, 03:04

Surely the reason for the question is that the zinc metal plating may contaminate the friction pads and make them less effective?

Why not ask ALKO?

Rustyfrog · Jul 8th, 2020, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whyman

Surely the reason for the question is that the zinc metal plating may contaminate the friction pads and make them less effective?

Why not ask ALKO?

Too late for me.
I made the decision not to do anything other than give the ball a quick rub with a scotch pad.

Whyman · Jul 9th, 2020, 09:29

It will probably be OK as the plating Is better attached to the ball compared with the paint can easily be removed with wire wool.

If it does come off the friction pads are easy to replace a fair cheap. Videos on YouTube as well.

JohnDavo · Jul 9th, 2020, 19:08

Thanks for your response.
Alko are very hard to get hold of to be honest but I will keep trying!

V8XCV · Jul 9th, 2020, 20:29

Zinc playing is electro deposited into the surface and won’t flake off like paint. Also it’s normally only about 5micron thick compared to 150-300micron for paint. So friction material will bite through it so to speak. A quick roughen up with sand paper will easily remove it if you need to.

Whyman · Jul 10th, 2020, 21:24

ALKO technical info on the stabilizer only say the ball must be paint and grease free so the plating should be OK.

Jul 7th, 2020, 22:34	#1
JohnDavo Junior Member Last Online: Sep 24th, 2023 16:29 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Wirral	Plated Towball I am in the process ( hopefully) of ordering a new XC40 with the retractable towbar. I understand that the towball of this is zinc nickel plated. I am well used to removing paint from other towballs as required by Alko for their hitch head. Does anyone know if I will need to remove the Zinc Nickel plating? Thanks John __________________ 2023 XC40 2.0 B4 Plus Dark AWD Auto Thunder Grey

Jul 7th, 2020, 22:44	#2
4x4 I roll Last Online: Today 14:22 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: North of Hadrian's Wall & South of Antonine's Wall View Photos By: 4x4	Think you would have a mammoth job trying to remove the sink nickel plating. Just give the ball a good wipe down with brake cleaner or isopropyl alcohol to remove any grease __________________ MY2010 XC90 SE (M66-manual) Magic Blue (467) Sold MY1997 850 GLT (62,000 miles) Silver Sand (419) MY2005 V70 2.5T (66,000 miles) Willow Green (471) Volvo 850 GLT website

Jul 7th, 2020, 22:44	#3
60041 Premier Member Last Online: Mar 28th, 2024 10:19 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North Northumberland	No, there is no need to remove the plating. If it’s anything like my tow ball, the plating wears off quite quickly anyway as the Alko stabiliser pads are quite aggressive. __________________ 2018 V90CC D4, 2022 XC40 1940 Matchless G3, 1980 Moto Guzzi T3 Coming soon:- 1947Rover 14 P2

Jul 8th, 2020, 03:04	#4
Whyman Premier Member Last Online: Today 08:57 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Newark	Surely the reason for the question is that the zinc metal plating may contaminate the friction pads and make them less effective? Why not ask ALKO? __________________ XC60 2013 D5 215 SE Lux Nav geartronic

Jul 9th, 2020, 09:29	#6
Whyman Premier Member Last Online: Today 08:57 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Newark	It will probably be OK as the plating Is better attached to the ball compared with the paint can easily be removed with wire wool. If it does come off the friction pads are easy to replace a fair cheap. Videos on YouTube as well. __________________ XC60 2013 D5 215 SE Lux Nav geartronic

Jul 9th, 2020, 19:08	#7
JohnDavo Junior Member Last Online: Sep 24th, 2023 16:29 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Wirral	Thanks for your response. Alko are very hard to get hold of to be honest but I will keep trying! __________________ 2023 XC40 2.0 B4 Plus Dark AWD Auto Thunder Grey

Jul 9th, 2020, 20:29	#8
V8XCV Member Last Online: Apr 1st, 2024 15:07 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Scotland	Zinc playing is electro deposited into the surface and won’t flake off like paint. Also it’s normally only about 5micron thick compared to 150-300micron for paint. So friction material will bite through it so to speak. A quick roughen up with sand paper will easily remove it if you need to. __________________ Current V70III 2.4D (163) SE Sport 4C (2008) V70 T5 (1996) V70 P2 D5 EUIII (2002) XC90 V8 4.4 (2007)

Jul 10th, 2020, 21:24	#9
Whyman Premier Member Last Online: Today 08:57 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Newark	ALKO technical info on the stabilizer only say the ball must be paint and grease free so the plating should be OK. __________________ XC60 2013 D5 215 SE Lux Nav geartronic

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