Bike Carrier stuck in hitch..HELP!

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

  1. ShockTheraphy

    ShockTheraphy New Member

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    Hello peeps,
    I got a swagman bike carrier with a threaded pin. While trying to unscrew the threaded hitch pin, I noticed that the pin just keeps spinning and will not unscrew. On closer inspection, I noticed that the threaded hole where the pin screws into is also rotating with the pin! It looks like it came off its weld or something. Now, the bike carrier is stuck on my wifes car. She is not a great driver and I'm concerned she'll back into something with those things on. Appreciate any ideas!

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Abui

    Abui Active Member

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    (1) Unbolt the hitch from the car (if it's welded - uh oh)
    (2) Does the pin move in when you turn in clockwise? If yes, hacksaw off as much as possible then screw it in to clear the hitch body. Cut a slot for a screwdriver with a dremel.
     
  3. YvettesSherpa

    YvettesSherpa Member

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    Push the pin as far as it will go one way and cut it flush. Then push it the other way and cut it flush again. That should make it small enough that it will stay in the carrier and you can pull it out.

    Other then that teach her to drive better.... lol
     
  4. ShockTheraphy

    ShockTheraphy New Member

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    1. The hitch is bolted. I guess I can take the whole thing off but that leaves me with nothing to carry my bikes with :(
    2. Yep, the pin moves clockwise and so does the threaded hole its screwed into. I cannot screw in or out.
     
  5. ShockTheraphy

    ShockTheraphy New Member

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    thanks!
     
  6. YvettesSherpa

    YvettesSherpa Member

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    Then you can try cutting it flush on the nut side and then drilling the pin out of the nut. Just step up the bit size and it shouldn't be to hard. Then knock the pin out of the nut.
     
  7. HatTrick

    HatTrick New Member

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    Can you see the nut from the inside end of the receiver? If so, maybe you can wedge a large screwdriver or pry bar against the tube wall and nut while turning the pin.
     
  8. ShockTheraphy

    ShockTheraphy New Member

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    thanks
     
  9. ShockTheraphy

    ShockTheraphy New Member

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    I guess I'll take the receiver off the car first so it's easier to work with and try your ideas. Thanks.
     
  10. Heyitsdave

    Heyitsdave Member

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    I'd be willing to bet that using a 1/2 inch drive impact would loosen the bolt rather than wanting to spin the entire thing.
     
  11. RustyIron

    RustyIron Rob S.

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    Ack. Removing the receiver is a lot of work and then the bolt is still going to be stuck. HatTrick has the best idea: jam a screwdriver in from the wrong end of the receiver so you can hold the nut. If that doesn't work, saw off one side of the pin, center punch it, and drill it out. You'll need to keep one side of the pin intact so you can hold it and keep it from spinning as you drill.
     
  12. HatTrick

    HatTrick New Member

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    If you have a drill motor, you might chuck onto the stud and turn it CW. Put some light oil on the thread first.
     
  13. One_Track_Mind

    One_Track_Mind New Member

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    This is what the pin looks like (Sorry, inserting image is not working for me)

    http://www.etrailer.com/p-S64029.html

    You could drill a small (1/8") hole through the box wall of the hitch into the "nut" that is spinning. From Swagmans website it looks like the nut is actually a square piece of steel, so it should be big enough to hit... Then screw a sheet metal screw into the hole you drilled. This should keep things from spinning so you can back the bolt out.

    Good luck! Let us know what works...
     
  14. mpmffitz

    mpmffitz Farm Freerider

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    This could be a message from above for your wife to get a bike since the rack is on her car. That's if she does not have one already. If you don't think she is par with driving, coax her for some remedial driving techniques.

    I trust my response may help your emotional needs in this time of crisis.
     
  15. fatguy1

    fatguy1 Active Member

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    Got a torch??
     
  16. One_Track_Mind

    One_Track_Mind New Member

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    A torch won't work because you need to cut the bolt back, beyond the inside edge of the receiver. It seems that a torch, cutting that close to the receiver, would make a mess of the receiver as well.

    I've got a pair of 48" Bolt cutters that I've used to cut a hitch-pin when I lost the key but they won't work for this application because the threads are the issue... same reason why a torch won't work.

    You need to:

    1. Stop the "nut" from spinning or...
    2. Cut the pin inside the receiver (difficult/impossible)
     
  17. One_Track_Mind

    One_Track_Mind New Member

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    A couple more ideas...

    There may be enough room between the rack and receiver that you can slip a hack-saw blade between the two and "jam" the nut so that it stops spinning, allowing you to back the bolt out.

    As a last resort, you could smack the hell out of the pin with a 10lb sledge hammer, stripping the threads and freeing the stuck pin.
     
  18. Deadweight

    Deadweight older, not much wiser.

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    Sounds like it's time to buy your wife a new car....
     
  19. Abui

    Abui Active Member

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    Of course unbolt the hitch from the car and set it up between two jackstands.. Then you can use a killer overhand swing.
     
  20. 92se-r

    92se-r Active Member

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    You guys are ridiculous! Cutting and taking the hitch off? Go under the vehicle and look on the other side of the receiver. Just take a big flat head screwdriver or chisel. Jam it in there to hold the nut from turning. And unbolt the bolt. Done.

    To fix it, hold the nut in place, screw the bolt all the way in so that it comes out the other hole, like it normally would sit when in your hitch. Bring it to an exhaust shop and have them weld the nut back on.
     

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