[ejpreston]

Hello. I am new to the forum and new to the Xterra, but have been spinning wrenches for many years. I recently installed a trailer hitch and ran into a pretty major problem. While trying to tighten the rear-most bolts (the ones that do not attached to the existing bumper bolts) the nut that is welded to the inside of the frame broke off and the bolt was only half way in. Now I have a completely loose bolt and am out of ideas. Any suggestions of how to fix my problem? I know I could probably have the hitch welded onto the frame and not worry about the bolts at all, but I would hate to have to permanently attach the hitch to the frame in case I ever need to remove it or replace it. So, any thoughts? Thanks, and this forum rocks!

 

[usmc xterra]

Weld a coat hanger to the nut and reach it back around through a hole, hold it to get it started. MC

 

[ejpreston]

Well that's a good thought. I could cut the current bolt off and start with a new nut and bolt, but then I would have half of a bolt with a nut rattling inside the frame from the one I had to cut off. Would that cause a problem other than being annoying if I hear it? Thanks for the tip.

 

[Terdar]

If you pull the rear bumper the frame should be open. I remimbered someone having the same problem and did a search for it. Here is the thread.
http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=520&highlight=broken+hitch+nut

 

[ejpreston]

That link was the exact same problem I had. Thank you both for the information. I'll give it a try and see how it works.

 

[cookX]

i had the same problem.. still haven't fixed it, but im thinking of taking it to the dealer, becuase i was using a torque wrench and hadn't torqued the bolt down harder than it's supposed to be

 

[ejpreston]

I wonder if the threads on the bolts from Draw Tight are the problem...I might send a letter to them if I can find some bolts that don't get suck.

 

[MaxxiD]

Reviving an old thread: this just happened to me!!! So annoying!!! It was the middle bolt though. I havnt tried the other side yet, but I'm sure it will happen to another one when I fo try

The thread posted inside this thread is gone now, so anyone have any ideas? Not adverse to cutting the bolts, but I'd prefer not to weld the hitch back on. I just want to take it off to paint it

 

[outback97]

There's a bunch of threads, not sure which one that was, but if you google "site:thenewx.org broken hitch nut" you'll get find some helpful ones. The back of the frame is open if you remove the bumper you can (sort of) gain access to where those weld nuts are.

 

[MaxxiD]

There's a bunch of threads, not sure which one that was, but if you google "site:thenewx.org broken hitch nut" you'll get find some helpful ones. The back of the frame is open if you remove the bumper you can (sort of) gain access to where those weld nuts are.

Dude! That site:Google hack is money!

 

[outback97]

Dude! That site:Google hack is money!

It’s honestly the only way I search this forum. So much better than the search function here.