Westfalia tow bar fitting issue

[Horrgakx]

Apologies for posting here, I've got nothing so far from other forums.
I have a detachable Westfalia tow bar but as much as I try it just won't go in.

Here's a video. You'll see I also try rotating the release knob and also the key but it makes no difference (sorry for the drilling noise in the background, I used a noise gate to try to reduce it).
https://youtu.be/f7vSAtzBc34

It SHOULD go like this, which looks very easy!!
https://youtu.be/UsCf4PDe1PY?si=bgeMTEOJPzkNSpkc

(PS - to the admins of this forum, the Tags section needs 3 characters minimum but that means you can't add the likes of A3, A5, A8, etc....)

[ainarssems]

Probably balls seized to to lack of use, try pressing them in one by one. Or maybe a mismatch between two parts.

[The_Laird]

OK, i have a similar tow bar on my D2. I think the most likely issue is that you’re trying to put it in (excuse unintended innuendoes) with the ‘balls’ out. You need to pull out the knob (I did warn you!) and rotate it until the balls retract into the body of the tow bar and it should lock in that position. Then push the towbar into place and, when in position, the balls should spring out to hold it in to place. Then rotate the key and remove it.

Another issue, if that doesn’t work, is that the inside of the mounting bracket gets cruddy. It’ll need a good clean with something abrasive and plenty of WD40.

[The_Laird]

Did that work?

[Horrgakx]

No amount of knob-twiddling will retract the ball bearings. I need to spend more time with it, I'll report back.

It's worth mentioning that in the second video I linked above, the part looks to be the same as what I have but it slots in very easily and locks automatically without any effort at all.

[The_Laird]

A little more detail: the knob should pull out (it’s quite stiff - more innuendos!) and turn so that the pointer in in the red, when it should lock. Make sure that the key is in the unlocked position (try both as I can’t remember which way is unlocked). When you then push the tow hitch back into its housing, it should spring locked as the balls are released. The pointer should now be in the green section and you should be able to turn the key and remove it.
If you don’t get any luck, I’ll get mine out and photograph each stage. If it’s not moving, then loads of WD40 might be in order, left to soak overnight.

[Horrgakx]

Thanks. As far as I remember the black knob doesn't pull out, it only rotates against a stiff spring. I'll grab it and take a closer look later.