On Sat, 12 Sep 2020 20:05:07 -0400, Joe Gwinn
wrote:
On Sat, 12 Sep 2020 06:38:58 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:
On Friday, September 11, 2020 at 10:17:15 PM UTC-4, Clare Snyder wrote:
On Fri, 11 Sep 2020 18:33:06 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:
On Friday, September 11, 2020 at 9:03:40 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Fri, 11 Sep 2020 16:54:37 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:
I was attempting to install a hidden hitch on my van today. Before I reached
the specified torque given in the instructions for one of the 10mm bolts, the
weld nut on the vehicle stripped. The bolt still threads in, but never
tightens fully. It's not the bolt, it's the weld nut.
There is no access to the weld nut from under the vehicle. There is nothing
strong/thick enough in the area to drill through for a nut and bolt.
I'm thinking of tapping the 10mm weld nut to 12mm and using a 12mm bolt for
that one hole.
As described in the image below, there are two 12 mm bolts that hold the
hitch on the vehicle's frame up from the bottom (one on each side) and four
10mm bolts that go through the face of the hitch into the holes that also
hold the bumper bar into the frame. The facia then covers the bumber bar and
hitch, leaving only the receiver showing.
The upper right 10mm weld nut is now stripped.
All suggestions welcome. Thanks!
https://i.imgur.com/08cHQDV.jpg
Crap .. everything was going so well - until it stripped. :-(
1. Are you actually pulling a loaded trailer ?
I installed a hitch on our Jetta - for bicycle carrier only !.
.. was surprised to see a very low torque number 26 ft. lbs. ?
for the two bolts that held at the rear exhaust support.
The other supports - frame and trunk floor were solid.
Sometimes, the internet sellers have better-than-average
online support - it's their bread & butter ..
Good luck.
John T.
Yes, I'll be towing a trailer. Not as often (or as heavy) as I used now
that the kids are gone, but I still tow. I have a 5 x 8 enclosed trailer.
Towed 1500 lbs and 1250 lbs a few months ago.
The torque is 76 ft-lbs for the 12mm bolts, 59 ft-lbs for the 10mm. I know
I was getting close, but I don't actually know when the weld nut stripped.
I'm not going to try for 59 on the other bolts, but I still want to use
all four. As noted earlier, those 4 bolts also hold the bumper bar onto
the frame.
I'd try a Heli-Coil type insert .. Takes virtually the same drill
size so take your pick, I guess. .406" (10.3mm for helicoil, 13/32 for
12mm - virtually the same)
"I'd try a Heli-Coil type insert"
There are a bunch of "Heli-Coil type" kits available that are way cheaper
than the actual Heli-Coil kit. Am I paying extra for the Heli-Coil name?
Are the cheaper kits (Highking, E-Z Lok, etc) serviceable for a (hopefully)
one time use?
Maybe the inserts in the cheaper kits aren't as hard...
For one insert, or even four, there is no savings by the time you get
to done.
Weld nuts can have pretty thin walls. Is there enough meat for
helicoils to work?
Grade 8 bolts may rust too quickly.
Joe Gwinn
If one is tempted to go with the cheap stuff, read the reviews on
Amazon very carefully, especially the negative ones, and see what
people are complaining about. If they've got what looks like a
legitimate grievance over the part rather than the shipping, take it
to heart. And if it isn't both sold by and shipped by Amazon stay
away.
Note that you need the tap (the outside thread is nonstandard), the
drill to match the tap, and the insertion tool. The Helicoil brand
kits on Amazon don't have the drill, some of the knockoffs do.
Also note that there are three different thread pitches for M10. Make
sure you get the right one.