Larry Jaques wrote:

(...)

That's probably the best. I don't care if I cut into the screw. Just
replace that ball hitch. Were it mine, I'd reconsider brands now,
too.

Yup. I figured I couldn't go wrong with O'Reilly
but I figured wrong.

Cut, hammer a proper sized chisel in the slot to open the nut, then
toss the two parts. (3 with locknut)

It's positioned up underneath a lip, so I would
burn up many, many Mototool discs. Luckily I do
have a lifetime supply of them, so I might just
do that.

--Winston