Tow hitch problem

[kingtin]

Was going to add an extender to my hitch to allow a bike rack to go on the prado. The ball hitch does not extend beyond the spare wheel, hence the need for an extender.

Unfortunately, the hitch is well rusted in and I can't get it out.

I once saw an extended tongue and ball held in place by the original tongue and ball so effectively it was a tongue with a hole at each end. I can't find this anywhere via google. has anyone seen one before and/or knows where I can get one?

knowing my luck if I chained my hitch to a pole and drove off, I'd more than likely pull the pole down as opposed to pulling the hitch off.

kev

[tunaticer]

The tongue extender is highly illegal Kev, your best shot is to work on the hitch and get it free, might take some work but that's the best way.
Then if the box section behind is long enough drill a second hole through that will give you the necessary length required or get a new assembly either made or bought.

I have never seen a hitch so badly rusted in that it wont come out or be not too rusted to be safe.......you need to make the decision as to where it is structurally sound or not after removing it.

[kingtin]

The tongue extender is highly illegal Kev, your best shot is to work on the hitch and get it free, might take some work but that's the best way.
Then if the box section behind is long enough drill a second hole through that will give you the necessary length required or get a new assembly either made or bought.

I have never seen a hitch so badly rusted in that it wont come out or be not too rusted to be safe.......you need to make the decision as to where it is structurally sound or not after removing it.

Yeah, thanks mate. I know the extension would be illegal if towing but it's only going to be used to hold a rear loader that I'm making from the bike rack to load the yak onto the roof.

I've soaked the bugger in Inox 3 times a day for 3 days but I can't shift the bolt underneath. I'm guessing that's just there to stop rattles?

[Horse]

I agree with tunaticer. If you have enough rust to lock it place then it may not be structurally sound. Give it a few love taps with a 4lber and see if it budges.

[tunaticer]

Give the bolt under a sharp rap or three straight on top with a decent hammer, that bolt should release no matter how rusty........don't hit it sideways, it will part as soon as you load it up with a spanner.
Inox ain't the best gear to use to free corroded bolts......CRC or Penetrine are the go, RP7 and WD40 come in around the same level as Inox.

[Axl]

I have seen these stuck in place before where I used to work (far SWQ) and the only way we could free them was with alot of heat and alot of banging.(the sand out here is high in salt)

I dont know where to buy it but there is a product that is used in the oil and gas industry called Yield. It states on the can that it instantly dissolves rust and I have seen this first hand realy good stuff.

[shy guys]

Had a can of that yield years ago was given to me was the best thing since sliced bread nearly cried when I coulden find any where to buy any more great product for rust

[Muddy Toes]

I've got a garage full of Yield.......the stuff in a gold can?

Made by Chem Search....send me a PM in 3 or so weeks time Shy Guys if you remember.

[Dan5]

Which model Prado Kev?...........if it's a 120 series with the cast steel hitch and tongue hitting it with a hammer maybe the last thing you want to do........they are well known for cracking and breaking off through the pin/bolt hole.

Yield/penetrene is good gear and should help,put your car jack under it and take some weight then use a decent block of wood as a mallet to give it a knock.

Dan

[Axl]

I've got a garage full of Yield.......the stuff in a gold can?

Made by Chem Search....send me a PM in 3 or so weeks time Shy Guys if you remember.

Thats the stuff dad manged to grab a few cans when he retired from the refinery amazing product I would love to know where you can buy it.

I broke a wheel stud of whilst giving my boat trailer brakes, bearings and hub a service up last week and the broken stud was well rusted into the hub. I didnt want to crack the hub belting the stud out so I sprayed it with Yield 10 minuets later give it a smack with a hammer and out she popped.

[kingtin]

Well, that's buggered it! Snapped the bolt that stops it rattling so it looks like an ange grinder job as the drill won't go through the bit that's left.

[cormorant]

It won't be a high tensile bolt. Try another drill bit or grab a cobalt drill bit and drill it out. ?

They really can get in there tight and have used oxy heat ( whats that smell in the boot- oops) and a sledge before and a few others I won't mention. I make sure mine comes out once a year. A good soak won't hurt.

[ashh]

How'd you go? Get it out yet?