\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. There are a several different options: If you heat the hitch and pin using a torch a lot of times it will break the materials free and you can use a hammer and punch to remove the pin. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. USF Sarasota-Manatee, Team S1-G1, Stewart Spring 2019. If you notice spots that have worn out the powdered coating, you will want to touch those up with a rust stopping paint to reseal the metal underneath. When you heat the steel, it will expand, but as it cools, the expansion should stop, and the hitch should come off. The guard helps protect you from flying debris and sparks. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, We are an affiliate website that is the best resource for anyone looking to buy, maintain or modify their hitch or trailer. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. If it has started to rust already you want to remove that rust with a homemade or store-bought rust remover and then apply the paint over it. When tightened, they keep the tow hitch from making noise when the car isnt being towed. //specify random images below. If left exposed to the air, metal will eventually rust over time. When you are done spraying the ball hitch, you will need a wrench. Keep in mind that when the ball mount is not in use, it is best to remove it. It's easier and won't bend or break anything. Dont worry, if a ball mount is rusted in your hitch and you cant remove it, U-Haul will still replace your receiver hitch under the $5 warranty.The best form of maintenance is prevention. You must pull out the ball mount when it begins to loosen. Fit the straw of the penetrating fluid into one of the corners between the hitch and the receiver. Method 1 Removing a Rusted Hitch Mount from the Receiver 1 Spray the hitch receiver opening with penetrating fluid. The wrench will assist you in removing the nut that is causing you problems. home improvement and repair website. It will gradually emerge after some time. Every time we return from a trip lasting more than a few days, we have to move our Dmax because it is too big to fit in the garage. You can also use this method with a hitch pin with a clip. This is the finished, rust-free, product. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. By using our site, you agree to our. } Remove the hitch mount from the receiver if you can so you dont have to cut the ball off while its attached to your vehicle. Rinse with warm water and dry with a soft, clean rag. Spray it with a good penetrating oil (like you've done), and run a chain from the ball to a stationary object (such as a tree). Keep reading for the best ways to remove a rusted hitch mount or trailer ball so you can start towing again. on General Board, Started by flatrock58 Website operating After youve finished spraying, youll need a wrench. imagelinks[6]="http://www.ezboardwalk.com/" However, remember that we always recommend taking preventive steps to keep the rust at bay rather than removing it later. imagelinks2[1]="https://www.youtube.com/c/TheForestryForum?sub_confirmation=1" Sorry to hear about the corroded pin, this does happen when the pin is left in place for a long time, especially in areas where they salt or chemical spray the roads in the winter. The best way to ensure your hitch doesnt get stuck is to take it off every so often. Its only a matter of striking! myimages2[1]="../../../images/top-banner/behindtheforum.jpg" A rusted hitch ball will not perform as well when it comes to towing. Car pillars are made out of the same and are nearly impossible to cut with a saw. Use the air hammer on the top area of the receiver after youve finished tapping the bottom and sides. Allow to sit for approximately ten minutes. We welcome your comments and To protect the hitch ball while in use we recommend applying ball grease to make sure it pivots smoothly while inside the coupler. We aim to provide an online resource for anyone interested in learning about or finding the right fastener for their project. The next step needs to be made with the most care and thought. Step 3. To loosen the inside of the lock hitch pin, use a hammer to hit it around the face side several times. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. /* Allow the fluid film to sit for about 5 minutes. DoItYourself.com, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Once its free you can either pull it out or gently tap it out with the hammer. JavaScript is disabled. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. (You won't need a sledge hammer when doing this) All the time keeping a lot of tension on the come-along. You can do that by using a product like BoeShield T-9 to protect and lubricate the internals of the lock system. If its still stuck then you can try using another round of WD-40 and even a pipe on the end of the wrench to give yourself more leverage. Check out some more of our videos! The most likely cause for a stuck trailer hitch is rust between the ball mount and the hitch receiver. Add a comment. If your trailer hitch ball is rusted and youre tensed, how to remove it as it is poorly stuck, or you may think you should call a mechanic, then just relax. Here are some of the guidelines to remove it easily: Its imperative to get a good quality penetrating spray to make your work easy. This is the best way to heat the area of the tow bar assembly where the hitch goes. Using the wrench will make it easier to take off the nut that is giving you trouble. Coating Your Hitch with a Protective Agent. Absolutely! Use the small paint brush to apply a coat of naval jelly over the rusted area. Rinse and repeat if any rust still remains. With this in mind, I have compiled a detailed article on how to remove a rusted trailer hitch pin.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'toolsjoint_com-box-3','ezslot_6',170,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-toolsjoint_com-box-3-0'); The problem of hitch pins corroding is common, and it is understandable that the issues caused by rust would make anyone anxious. All is not lost however, and with these tips you can fight the rust and prevent it from happening again in the near future. . 1995-2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. But it also builds up if you live in a wintery region where they apply salt to the roads throughout the winter to melt ice and provide a safer driving . It may take some time to come out. Key wouldn't turn. If left inside the receiver, ball mount vibration can begin to erode the protective coating and allow for rust inside the receiver tube. That way, it will loosen up and be easier to remove with other methods too. Finally had an opportunity to tow my trailer and UTV with the new car. This will render the hitch pin unusable, so it will need to be replaced. Youve already checked on ways to get rid of a rusted trailer hitch ball without exerting too much work. If youre going to leave the mount attached to your hitch, be sure to continually reapply ball grease and use a ball cover to protect it when not in use. If water gets into those exposed areas and is allowed to sit, it will corrode the metal and cause rust. Do not paint over rust as the corrosion will continue underneath. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. All rights reserved. How do you get a rusted hitch out of a receiver if nothing else works? And that shall make the lock's end section loosen up and separate from the rest of the body. The best tools are a copper hammer/air chisel or a dead blow, but you should use whatever you have. document.write('') % of people told us that this article helped them. //-->, . //specify random images below. I'd suggest pre-drilling smaller holes first from the center out to keep the drill bit centered and prevent damage to you . It w adjustable height trailer hitch ball mount. An Official Website ofAndersenHitches.com. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 8,929 times. Diamond T trucks. The hitch ball is the portion of the hitch system that is most likely to see a lot of wear and tear from the elements and general use. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Do not use powdered graphite as it will eventually harden. There are dozens of commercial rust removers, but acids in everyday kitchen staples like vinegar, lemon juice, and potatoes will loosen even stubborn rust from some metals. Id suggest pre-drilling smaller holes first from the center out to keep the drill bit centered and prevent damage to you hitch. You must also ensure that you spray the thread areas in addition to the ball nut. Note that a towel is not needed if the hitch is attached to the receiver of a trailer or other load because the hitch ball should be locked into the trailer tongue. We moved to a redesigned stainless steel pin a few years ago to help with this problem. This will prevent rust and corrosion due to moisture, dirt, other environmental factors. Its hard to believe how many people dont do this and then say it doesnt work. Use a Hitch Cover Keeps moisture and road debris out of the receiver opening Even better, get rid of them altogether. I'd guess he'd be cutting for a year using a sawzall.my guess is the pin is hardened steel, which would be a royal ***** to cut. 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Hitch Ball Rust Maintenance Remove the rust with homemade or store-bought cleaners The hitch above is a brand-new receiver hitch and ball mount that you would get installed at your local U-Haul hitch store. hmmm, locksmith? One standard anti-rattling device looks like a bolt put into the receiver hitch. Knocking it in and out usually works, and once it starts to move, you can usually get enough dirt out to make the rest of the job easy. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. This is a fixed pin box as compared to a Sidewinder or Revolution pin box that has a rotating turret on the pin box that gives the trailer a different pivot point. The hitch ball sits in the ball mount and will see the harshest effects of any weather or friction-related use. Make sure that the area in range of the hitch popping out under pressure is clear and protected as neededparticle board or something similar can be used behind the chained hitch to protect the area from the hitch. Method 1 In the first method, you will need, Mini Hacksaw Frame with HSS Blade Claw Hammer (Alternative- flat prybar) Knife or chisel (Optional) Step - 1 The first step is to start cutting the protruding part of the body of the Hammer Drive Anchor with the Mini Hacksaw Blade. Random Image Link Script- By JavaScript Kit(http://www.javascriptkit.com) Use a non-solvent based product like Fluid Film to add additional protection to the receiver hitch and receiver opening from rust causing agents like moisture and debris, Use a hitch cover to prevent water and dirt from getting into the receiver opening. When WD40 and a good knock are used with the right amount of stress (but not too much), the hitch can shift and come out quickly. They have to deal with road salt in the north, and the back of the car is standard for salty slush to build up. The hitch can be cooled quickly with ice or cold water, and it only takes a few cycles of heating and cooling to break the rust seal. Also read: Step Bumper Receiver Hitch Installation guide. If you don't know what I'm talking about, feel free to shoot me a pm. Hammering has a set time limit. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. All information is provided "AS IS." This is the before picture of the rusted hitch. Vehicle Repairs When you get it out let us know, if you send it in we can help remove the rest of the pin at no charge. For those items that you can't soak, check out our Metal Rescue GEL! var ry=Math.floor(Math.random()*myimages.length) Yes, the simplest way to get rid of it is to pull it out. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. expert reply by: Mike L Ive often seen them under the tow bar, leading up to the receiver tube. You can usually access it from the back side of the hitch. You want your hitch ball to be in the most outstanding possible condition while its connecting thousands of pounds to your tow vehicle. Dip the paper towel in a bowl of lukewarm water to get the paper towel damp. Dont forget the spatter blanket and plenty of personal covering! Ive seen all 4 options work for different people. function random_imglink(){ You can get rid of a rusted ball hitch at home with some standard tools and good, old-fashioned muscle. The number one enemy of rust is moisture combined with oxygen over a long period of time. If youre doing a lot of towing, ensure the travel trailer has a weight-distribution hitch. If it is, fit a pipe in the hole and tap it with your hammer to push the hitch out. So. "flat" key or "round" key? How about freezing it with freon or liquid Nitro and then hitting it with a hammer? Depending on the brand, a high quality protective spray can last for up to a year and withstand temperature . myimages[6]="../../../images/top-banner/EZ-junior.jpg" I'd say use an abrasive disk or a oxy/acet torch. Use during assembly to prevent galling, corrosion and seizing and to assure easier disassembly. He had it off in about 2 minutes and I think it costs around $10. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. When driving down the road, always check to see if your vehicles license plate is visible. imagelinks[3]="https://woodmizer.com/Store/Shop/Portable-Sawmills/LX25-Portable-Sawmill?utm_source=forestryforum.com&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=lx25&utm_term=2023-02-10&utm_content=800x160"