Pilot Help! Broke anchor point on my trailer hitch!

Discussion in 'Pilot' started by Michael Horowitz, Jun 29, 2007.

  1. I have an '04 Pilot.

    So I took the day off to install the trailer hitch. Read the
    instructions over and it looks really simple. Removed tow point and
    notice the hole position in relationship to the new hitch. Just
    because I was going to be in an uncomfortable position, I decided to
    run the large bolts thru the holes and out, just in case. On the
    driver side, the hole closest to the driver (and slightly offset from
    the other three) ,met with some resistance, so I applied WD-40,
    waited, and with just a little effort, seated the bolt.

    Not so lucky with the same hole on the passenger's side. Whatever in
    the body that the bolt screws into, broke off. Lets call it an anchor
    point

    OK sez I, in an unusual fit of calmness, is there anyway to grip that
    anchor point? I don't see anyway to get anything into that square
    tubing. There is a 3/4" hole near by, but I don't see how that will
    help. There doesn't seem to be a way to approach the anchorpoint from
    top.

    So, first thing I think of is cutting the bolt with my angle grinder;
    second thought is "where is the gas tank?" Fortunately it's some
    distance away. I try to position the angle grinder, but It looks like
    I'd be cutting on the upward moving side of the blade.

    Note to self: if you cut this bolt, be sure to secure the part
    attached to the anchor point with a piece of wire, so you have a
    chance to remove it via the 3/4" hole.

    Is there a smarter way to do this job?
    Is there a tool that will cut the bolt as opposed to using the angle
    grinder?
    Is a bolt cutter powerful enough?

    Any suggestions are appreciated - Mike
     
    Michael Horowitz, Jun 29, 2007
    #1
  2. If I remember correctly, the "thing" that broke off is a nut that is welded to
    the frame.

    Do a search on http://hondapilot.org/ This has happened to other people.
    You might want to get a tap to clean out the threads instead of using a bolt,
    since the tap won't get stuck like the bolt did.
     
    Mike Iglesias, Jun 29, 2007
    #2

  3. Thanks, they even had a solution for installing a new bolt; but they
    didn't talk about how to unscrew the nut so I could take it out! -
    Mike
     
    Michael Horowitz, Jun 30, 2007
    #3
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