need help installing trailer hitch
Moderator: bajabob
need help installing trailer hitch
I have just purchased a trailer hitch by hidden hitch for my 2003 baja. I am having an issue the directions say to run the 1/2-13 by 6.5 blots through the rear bumper bar into the weld nut but when I try this the hole exiting the top of the bumper bar before the weld nut is only 7/16 and the 1/2-13 bolt will not go through. From what I can see this is the same mounting position on the subaru oe trailer hitch. I was just wondering if anyone has come across this problem when installing the trailer hitch on there baja and if so what did they do to rectify this issue. The only way I can see to do this without damaging the threds in the weld nut is to remove the tailgate so you can run a 1/2-13 tap through the top of weld nut but I cant figure out how to remove the tailgate. If any one has any suggestions I would really appreciate it.
Re: need help installing trailer hitch
I installed the Hidden Hitch on my '05 Baja without trouble. The nuts in the bumper were very tight (corroded and such but possibly also just tight), but were at least approximately the right size for the supplied bolts. I don't happen to recall the claimed size of the bolts they sent me.
You say the hole above the nuts on your Baja are 7/16". Have you actually measured them, or are you just saying they're really tight when trying to thread the bolts through? I have to say it seems odd that the holes would be SAE rather than metric. Perhaps the tightness is partly from Hidden Hitch supplying SAE bolts for metric holes? If it's really just the metal above the nuts, it should 'machine its own clearance' when threading the bolts through.
Here's what I did: Spray some good penetrating oil in there first to help with the corrosion. Something like Kroil, Knock-er-Loose, Liquid Wrench, or PB Blaster. I used Kroil. Put a big breaker bar on your socket, screw them in a turn or two, back them out a quarter or half-turn (even all the way out the first time or two), screw them in a turn or two, back them out a quarter or a half-turn, screw them in a turn or two....
If this doesn't work, you can use a tap if you want. I don't know how to get the bumper cover off, though I don't see why one couldn't use the tap from below?
You say the hole above the nuts on your Baja are 7/16". Have you actually measured them, or are you just saying they're really tight when trying to thread the bolts through? I have to say it seems odd that the holes would be SAE rather than metric. Perhaps the tightness is partly from Hidden Hitch supplying SAE bolts for metric holes? If it's really just the metal above the nuts, it should 'machine its own clearance' when threading the bolts through.
Here's what I did: Spray some good penetrating oil in there first to help with the corrosion. Something like Kroil, Knock-er-Loose, Liquid Wrench, or PB Blaster. I used Kroil. Put a big breaker bar on your socket, screw them in a turn or two, back them out a quarter or half-turn (even all the way out the first time or two), screw them in a turn or two, back them out a quarter or a half-turn, screw them in a turn or two....
If this doesn't work, you can use a tap if you want. I don't know how to get the bumper cover off, though I don't see why one couldn't use the tap from below?
Re: need help installing trailer hitch
I am only approximating that the hole in the bumper bar is 7/16 due to the fact that I am only able to fit a piece of 7/16 threaded rod through the hole. The hole in the bumpur bar is definitly not as big as the weld nut that is welded to the top of it. I guess I could run a 1/2-13 tap through from the bottom if I get a extention for the tap I was just concerned that If I went to far I would possibly cross thread into the weld nut. Thank You for your input I will have to look into these options.
Re: need help installing trailer hitch
jp524 wrote:I am only approximating that the hole in the bumper bar is 7/16 due to the fact that I am only able to fit a piece of 7/16 threaded rod through the hole. The hole in the bumpur bar is definitly not as big as the weld nut that is welded to the top of it. I guess I could run a 1/2-13 tap through from the bottom if I get a extention for the tap I was just concerned that If I went to far I would possibly cross thread into the weld nut. Thank You for your input I will have to look into these options.
I had the same problem, but just went CAREFULLY and they eventually went in....it was rather discomforting at the time, but it worked out OK in the end. Lots of patience and WD40, combined with a 1/2 socket extension handle did the trick. If you can easily tap it, that is probably the best idea - I was scared I was going to twist off the bolt in side the nut, then I would have been really "screwed" so to speak. Good luck with it.
Re: need help installing trailer hitch
As I've been thinking about it, I'd probably advise against using a tap. The high friction of the smaller hole above the nut is an excellent locking mechanism so that the bolts won't vibrate loose. Course, you could always use blue Lock-Tite instead... 
Re: need help installing trailer hitch
I finally got to the install this weekend. boy was it a pain it turns out the the weld nuts were not centered over the holes in the bumper bar. We had to remove the bumper cover and tailgate "not an easy task by the way" and we ran a 1/2-13 tap through the top of the weld nut into the hole in the bumper bar then the bolts fit right how they were suppose to. I thank every one for their input on my problem. Once again thank you JP524