Or, how a half-hour job turns into a major project ...
This is with our new-to-us 4th-gen Dodge Grand Caravan. I order a Curt Class 3 trailer hitch a few days ago, and received it today.
Watched a few installation videos beforehand - yay, with the Stow 'N Go setup, just use the existing bolts. No drilling involved, and no fishing bolts through the blind channel with a wire. Good stuff - this will be easy! (Foreshadowing ... cue ironic and ominous music ...)
I drove the back of the van up onto ramps, which gave plenty of clearance. Per the videos, saw on each side the two smaller bolts (15 mm heads, I think) at the rear leaf-spring shackles, and the larger bolt (18 mm head) about 6" toward the front of the van.
Sprayed around the bolt heads liberally with AeroKroil. I know, should have given it a day or so, but I have had excellent results with AeroKroil, so went ahead.
Both big bolts were tight, but did move fine initially. I was very cautious, and worked them back and forth, applying more penetrating oil.
The one came out fine, but on the other side, the weld nut broke off.
GRRRRR! On to the four little guys. All four started OK, but then one sheared off. Arg!
Have packed it in for the day. Plan to pull the rear bumper cover to see if I can get access through the back to the square channel with the broken weld nut. If so, I'll try to replace it with a carriage bolt in a rectangular piece of steel stock.
If there's reasonable access, I'll also spray in a lot of penetrating oil to try to help the little guys.
Has anyone else faced this or a similar situation? Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
This is with our new-to-us 4th-gen Dodge Grand Caravan. I order a Curt Class 3 trailer hitch a few days ago, and received it today.
Watched a few installation videos beforehand - yay, with the Stow 'N Go setup, just use the existing bolts. No drilling involved, and no fishing bolts through the blind channel with a wire. Good stuff - this will be easy! (Foreshadowing ... cue ironic and ominous music ...)
I drove the back of the van up onto ramps, which gave plenty of clearance. Per the videos, saw on each side the two smaller bolts (15 mm heads, I think) at the rear leaf-spring shackles, and the larger bolt (18 mm head) about 6" toward the front of the van.
Sprayed around the bolt heads liberally with AeroKroil. I know, should have given it a day or so, but I have had excellent results with AeroKroil, so went ahead.
Both big bolts were tight, but did move fine initially. I was very cautious, and worked them back and forth, applying more penetrating oil.
The one came out fine, but on the other side, the weld nut broke off.
GRRRRR! On to the four little guys. All four started OK, but then one sheared off. Arg!
Have packed it in for the day. Plan to pull the rear bumper cover to see if I can get access through the back to the square channel with the broken weld nut. If so, I'll try to replace it with a carriage bolt in a rectangular piece of steel stock.
If there's reasonable access, I'll also spray in a lot of penetrating oil to try to help the little guys.
Has anyone else faced this or a similar situation? Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!