tow ball bike rack - grease the ball? - Bike Forum

Re: tow ball bike rack - grease the ball?

bruneep — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 10:32:48 +0000

Grease the ball or rub with emery paper....... :?

Today's dilemma

Re: tow ball bike rack - grease the ball?

Jaz1979 — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 10:28:31 +0000

No grease, you need the friction to stop it moving

Re: tow ball bike rack - grease the ball?

alanf — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:35:43 +0000

Not greased and using the same rack

Re: tow ball bike rack - grease the ball?

ThePinkster — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:18:55 +0000

You should only grease the towball if the hitchlock rotates on it, like a trailer would.

Even then it should only be greased if you're using a traditional hitchlock, not an Alko type stabiliser.

As you're using a rack with no need to pivot I'd personally avoid using grease as you want as much friction as possible between the clamp and towball to reduce any chance of slipping.

If your towball is painted I'd even recommend removing the paint with some emery paper before attaching the clamp for the first time.

Re: tow ball bike rack - grease the ball?

legend — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:18:18 +0000

When towing the ball is greased to allow the join to pivot freely, I don't think you want the rack doing the same!

Re: tow ball bike rack - grease the ball?

martinhutch — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:17:29 +0000

My thule manual suggested you could clean it up a bit with solvent every now and again though. Not that I ever have.

Re: tow ball bike rack - grease the ball?

scotroutes — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:15:36 +0000

Grease free

Re: tow ball bike rack - grease the ball?

geoffj — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:15:02 +0000

No grease

Re: tow ball bike rack - grease the ball?

chakaping — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:13:30 +0000

I've never greased mine, sounds quite pleasant though.

tow ball bike rack - grease the ball?

grievoustim — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 09:11:44 +0000

hello - just had a tow bar fitted to my car - and got an Atera Strada rack to go on it (thanks for the recommendations on my earlier thread everyone)

The guy who did the fitting just said I should grease the ball (he knew I was using it for bikes and not a caravan) - however a quick google suggests this advise is incorrect and only applies to caravans and trailers - in fact my tow ball should be clean and grease free

So - just to be sure, does everyone here keep their balls clean?