Bosel towbar

Hi all,

Has anyone used the Bosel detachable tow bar with a locking mechanism... Mine was installed by the previous owner I think from new five years ago, the main body of the tow bar was flaked with rust, I power brushed it all off after removing it for the chassis and repainted it. Then to my surprise the detachable swan neck wouldn't fit into the socket, the locking mechanism is fine but won't travel all the way into the socket.

After putting a fine flat file to the socket for 20 minutes I was able to get the swan neck to click into place and the key turns fully and removes easily from the key hole, which is good news,,, however, the circular lock snaps back from the 3 o'clock position to the 9 o'clock position when out of the socket, when it's in the socket it flicks back from 3 o'clock position to 11 o'clock position, the key does turn and removes as I have said, and the swan neck feels to be in firm enough, but, I'll don't have any written instructions to tell me if its in correctly and safely too.

I'd hate to tow something and have the swan neck pulled out while travelling.
Can any one help?
Maybe you have the instructions of the correct fitting procedures...
One other thing there is no chain/wire connection fitted either. The Jimny is 2009...
Cheers
Tony.

Have a good hunt around the Web for an exploded diagram which looks to be the same mechanism it might show up with some other name
Not entirely clear from the description but is the lock fixing a lever or pin in place rather than the load being on the lock? Get some pics up if possible
Other way would be to put a strap or chain around something solid and see if it will detach under a shock load. You are fairly limited to what you can safely tow with a Jimny so if it survives that it will be okay for a wee trailer.

The lock won't turn as far on the car as off it because it is designed to take out any play in the hitch as the hitch wears over time. It will be spring loaded so it will tighten if the hitch moves or wears.

To get an idea if it is engaging securely, turn the key back slowly until you are able to completely remove the hitch. If this is only a few degrees it's probably not right.

Thanks for the info Trex,,, I found this vid on the tube,, from this I was able to be confident enough to file away a little more and now its working a treat.. I will also put your test to the test as a safe guard.

Cheers
Tony.