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Towing bracket -> Fitting the removable ball coupling for Your Volkswagen Polo SUV Seventh Generation (2021-2025)

Overview: removable ball coupling.  
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5
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Ball head.  
Retaining balls.  
Catch (ball) for locking mechanism.  
Centring device.  
Shank.  
Key.  
Lock cover.  
Handwheel.  
Green marking on ball coupling.  
10 Red marking on handwheel.  
The removable ball coupling is located in the luggage compartment, either in a side stowage area or under the luggage compartment  
floor.  
NOTICE  
If an unsuitable ball coupling is fitted, this may damage the vehicle and invalidate the type approval of the vehicle.  
Use the factory-supplied ball coupling or a ball coupling that has been approved for your vehicle model and its model year.  
Volkswagen recommends using Volkswagen Genuine Parts or Volkswagen Genuine Accessories, which you can purchase from an  
authorised Volkswagen repairer.  
Step 1: preparations  
1. Before using the removable ball coupling for the first time, make a note of the number stamped on the key → Fig. 1 6 . This can  
be used if you need to acquire a replacement key.  
2. Remove the sealing plug from the ball coupling mounting under the rear bumper and stow in the vehicle.  
3. Starting from the bottom right side, swivel the trailer socket as far as possible to the top left. This gives you access to the ball  
coupling mounting.  
4. Check that the mounting, handwheel → Fig. 1 8 , shank 5 and retaining balls 2 of the ball coupling are all clean and not  
damaged . Clean if necessary.  
Step 2: check that the ball coupling is pre-tensioned  
The ball coupling cannot be fitted properly unless it is pre-tensioned.  
The following conditions must be fulfilled:  
The red marking → Fig. 1 10 on the handwheel must point towards the green marking on the tow-bar → Fig. 1 9 .  
There must be a clearly visible gap between the handwheel → Fig. 1 8 and tow-bar of at least 4 mm (0.2 inches).  
All retaining balls → Fig. 1 2 can be pressed fully into the shank → Fig. 1 5 .  
The key → Fig. 1 6 is inserted in the lock, the arrow on the key is pointing to the open lock symbol on the handwheel → Fig. 1  
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and the key cannot be removed.  
If all these conditions are met, continue with Step 4.  
If the conditions are not met, continue with Step 3.  
Step 3: pre-tensioning the ball coupling  
If the tow-bar is not pre-tensioned, pre-tension the tow-bar as follows:  
1. Fold open the lock cover → Fig. 1 7 and insert the key in the lock.  
2. Turn the key → Fig. 1 6 anticlockwise until the arrow on the key points to the open lock on the handwheel → Fig. 1 8 .  
3. Hold the ball coupling firmly with one hand. Using the other hand, pull the handwheel → Fig. 1 8 out in direction → Fig. 1 A .  
4. Turn the pulled-out handwheel → Fig. 1 8 in direction → Fig. 1 B as far as it will go.  
Step 4: attaching the pre-tensioned ball coupling to the vehicle  
Do not touch the handwheel → Fig. 1 8 once the tow-bar has been pre-tensioned. Upon locking, the handwheel will turn back to its  
original position and could cause injury →  
.
1. Guide the pre-tensioned removable ball coupling into the mounting tube from below.  
2. Push the ball coupling firmly upwards until it engages.  
The ball coupling is correctly engaged when:  
The green marking on the handwheel → Fig. 1 9 is facing upwards.  
The tow-bar is locked and the key → Fig. 1 6 can be removed.  
There is no longer a gap between the handwheel → Fig. 1 8 and the tow-bar.  
3. Turn the key → Fig. 1 6 in clockwise direction to lock the tow-bar.  
4. Fold the lock cover → Fig. 1 7 closed.  
Step 5: safety check  
Before hitching a trailer, check that the ball coupling is secured correctly.  
Shake forcefully several times to check that the ball coupling is seated securely in the mounting sleeve.  
The green marking on the handwheel → Fig. 1 9 is facing upwards.  
The handwheel → Fig. 1 8 is in contact with the tow-bar and can be locked.  
The tow-bar is locked and the key → Fig. 1 6 has been removed.  
It is no longer possible to pull the handwheel → Fig. 1 8 to the side.