Bike Carrier stuck in hitch..HELP!

Discussion in 'The Workshop' started by ShockTheraphy, Jul 17, 2010.

  1. Abui

    Abui Active Member

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    ^^^ The picture shows a shank. It has to be flush with the body.
     
  2. Iwannabinsocal

    Iwannabinsocal boutique brand elitist

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    I would hack saw the extending pin, then with an electric drill (battery would not be enough), I would just drill it out, with the right bit, it would be pretty quick work.
     
  3. ShockTheraphy

    ShockTheraphy New Member

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    I don't have access to the nut from the end of the receiver. It looks like the nut is inside a metal square as seen in this blow up parts diagram. Thanks for all the suggestions. I would only have time to work on this next week. It's hard living in an apartment with no garage to work on!

    [​IMG]
     
  4. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    I would just cut the pin off with a cutting torch flush to the nut, then drill thru the nut/housing and out the other side of the receiver and hitch and just change it to a through bolt with a cotter key. If the nut/pin spins when drilling it I would torch it out of the way or spot weld it in place so you could drill it out. A little cavemanish but quick and simple. I used to have to do similar stuff on a daily basis to fix stuff on our logging equipment but on a much larger scale...worked on a highlead logging crew many years. Any muffler shop can do it for you in a few minutes.

    Dean
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 18, 2010
  5. bosco

    bosco New Member

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    Since you have no access to the back of the hitch to wedge the nut, it appears the cutting & drilling out the pin maybe your best option. But, I would think both sides would have to be cut off and drilled out. :-k Based on your diagram it looks like you can easily replace the nut and pin once you have it removed. Good luck, I don't envy the work (and choices) you have ahead, sorry.
     
  6. mxvet

    mxvet New Member

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    Why do I keep opening this thread and reading it? It's like a murder mystery or something...

    Anyway, where do you live? You can use my garage this week and I might even have some decent tools (including a sledgehammer) if you are close to OC.
     
  7. Abui

    Abui Active Member

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    Must be that the Canadians don't have lousy roads like California. How could they think that a friction fitting would hold against perpetual vibration? Even worse, the lever arm provided by the rack has about a 10:1 advantage on the fitting.
     
  8. ShockTheraphy

    ShockTheraphy New Member

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    Update

    I emailed swagman and one of their tech suggested below. That would make my work a lot easier as I don't have to take the whole hitch assembly off and crawl under the vehicle! The idea is somewhat similar to what other people here suggested.

    You will need to cut off the receiver bar near the hitch. Then jam a
    screwdriver into the end of the cut off hitch to prevent the nut from
    rotating and remove the threaded bolt.
    We would send you a new reciever bar assembly to replace the one that
    you cut off.
    -Don


    @mxvet
    I'm in Ventura County but it's very nice of you to offer your garage!

    Appreciate everyones suggestions! Thanks to swagman for the speedy response.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 19, 2010
  9. Heyitsdave

    Heyitsdave Member

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    Please do not cut your rack off as suggested before having someone try to remove the bolt with an impact gun. The hammering effect of an impact gun has a tendency to very easily unthread a fastener with a spinning nut, while a wrench or ratchet has a tendency to cause the blind nut to spin. I can do it for you I'm in Brea or Fullerton.
     
  10. Rockinthecasbah

    Rockinthecasbah A.D.D. Unleased

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    it might help with the wedge idea which is the least destructive
     
  11. Abui

    Abui Active Member

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    Cut it. Swagman said to cut part P167, an easily replacable part. The replacment from Swagman won't have the slipping problem.
     
  12. northshore

    northshore Active Member

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    Just drive the car off the cliff......

    but yeah...I would try the impact wrench first.
     
  13. Salter77

    Salter77 OMGWAFJ...

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    Anti-Sieze lubricant is your best friend when you have an application you take on and off frequently!
    Definitely try an impact gun! Go to any general auto mechanic with a lift and explain to them whats goin on and they can probably get it off within a few minutes and save you alot of headache. Good Luck!
     
  14. b3rnard

    b3rnard Member

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    If I were you I would have just traded cars with the wife ;)
     
  15. bosco

    bosco New Member

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    Would be interested on the out come. Have you been able to remove the rack from the hitch? What was the end method and result? Hopefully all went well. [-o-]
     
  16. YvettesSherpa

    YvettesSherpa Member

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    I like the idea about running the car off a cliff. :bang: Then you can get a truck and not have this problem again...\\:D/
     
  17. pmortuary

    pmortuary They call me D2

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    As a follow up. I bought an Xport rack similar to this. Only difference, I removed the nut that has caused you problems and used a regular locking hitch pin. I suggest this to anyone that has a screw type pin.
     
  18. bosco

    bosco New Member

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    Doesn't the rack move around alot with the bikes mounted? I tried just using a locking hitch pin (with my yakima hitch rack) and was just to nervous watching our bikes sway back and forth. Went back to using the internal nut & screw pin, the yakima hitch rack has a large square nut, and I am careful not to over tighten. So hopefully this won't happen.
     
  19. Rakuman

    Rakuman Member

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  20. Rakuman

    Rakuman Member

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    Now I have used this anti rattle pin now for two trips up the hill to Hurkey creek with 4 bikes and I can say I am pleased with the results, easy on and off keeps the rack tight and locked much less swaying back and forth.
    http://www.etrailer.com/p-63232/Anti...r-Hitches.html
    K.C.
     

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