OEM Hitch Install Question

yanga001 · Post by **yanga001** » 13 Aug 2020, 13:12

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have a manual for the installation of the oem trailer hitch. Im taking one off a parts car but im having a hell of a time trying to find replacement bolts and mounting holes. One issue i have is that the bolts that come out of the bumper mounts seem to have rusted into a new form of fastener that no amount of pb-blaster will loosen. Ive had to angle grind one side off by cutting the bolt head but im worried reinstallation on another car will be pretty bad.

Thanks!

Post by **scot850** » 13 Aug 2020, 16:47

They are a swine once they are rusted. Plan also for new bumper mounts.

I ended up grinding the heads off which allowed me enough room to then pull the bumper rearwards.

The bolts go through a sleeve up to the top of the bumper mount and it rusts itself into the sleeve and usually the head shears or rounds off as you are finding.

Neil.

yanga001 · Post by **yanga001** » 14 Aug 2020, 09:19

scot850 wrote: ↑13 Aug 2020, 16:47 The bolts go through a sleeve up to the top of the bumper mount and it rusts itself into the sleeve and usually the head shears or rounds off as you are finding.

Neil.

It wasnt the super long 14mm bolts. It was some that seemed to be welded to the frame on either side of the car. It points inward towards the car and is a rusted mess. If you were to put your head under the right and left rear corners and look up, then you would see them.

I snapped off the welds that held them in place on the donor car and i am trying to figure out a way to prevent it from happening on the daily.

Post by **scot850** » 14 Aug 2020, 10:19

Heat is probably our only chance then and lots of it. Maybe worth taking to a shop to see if they can try if they have gas welding gear.

Neil.

yanga001 · Post by **yanga001** » 14 Aug 2020, 10:54

Car isn't plated so ill have at it with a propane torch to see if that can heat it enough to get it off. The large bolts all came out in tact but the small nuts did not. I assume i can replace those smaller ones with any hw store brand.

Post by **scot850** » 14 Aug 2020, 14:46

If the bolts are going to be part of holding the hitch mount, try a bolt supplier. If I recall Volvo uses Grade 8 steel bolts.

Good luck!

Neil.

850oldschool · Post by **850oldschool** » 14 Aug 2020, 19:41

If I were mounting one of those I'd be looking at Unbrako for something in stainless:

https://www.unbrakousa.com/#

Despite their comical sounding name they are the world leader in high strength bolts.