how to remove a rusted trailer hitch pin

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. In any instance, it may remain trapped inside. Remove the hitch mount from the receiver if you can so you dont have to cut the ball off while its attached to your vehicle. Use a Sawzall with a thin metal cutting blade to get between the receiver and the stinger of the rapid hitch to cut the pin. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Its better to maintain your stuff so that it wont create a hassle in the future. You might also hit the ball shank with a rubber mallet to help try and break it free as well. It's going to take lots of 'elbow grease' but it will come apart. WINS!!! Click to expand. However, remember that we always recommend taking preventive steps to keep the rust at bay rather than removing it later. The best way to ensure your hitch doesnt get stuck is to take it off every so often. Common Weigh Safe Hitch Problems and Proven Solutions. Keep doing 4. All information is provided "AS IS." Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Preventing this type of rust is as simple as removing the ball mount when it is not being used and storing it inside your home or vehicle. Dont go overboard! You should start to see bubbling in this process. The 2inch ball is stuck on with presumably being rusted on, thinking about 10 years. Spray as much as you believe you need fluidly. You can have as many as you wish But dont panic. Bring along anything you can that will fit in the hitch. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Dip the paper towel in a bowl of lukewarm water to get the paper towel damp. Vehicle Repairs The appropriate gears are required, and the rest is a piece of cake. If left inside the receiver, ball mount vibration can begin to erode the protective coating and allow for rust inside the receiver tube. //specify corresponding links below You can also use a chisel-shaped bit on your air hammer. $60.78. var ry=Math.floor(Math.random()*myimages.length) To protect the hitch ball while in use we recommend applying ball grease to make sure it pivots smoothly while inside the coupler. Never put yourself in danger, and only do this if you are with someone who knows what they are doing. This procedure cannot be performed again immediately after the rust is taken off. Rust tends to accumulate faster in coastal areas with a large body of saltwater nearby. Sorry to hear about the corroded pin, this does happen when the pin is left in place for a long time, especially in areas where they salt or chemical spray the roads in the winter. Take the wet paper towel and wipe off the naval jelly on the hitch. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. If youre going to leave the mount attached to your hitch, be sure to continually reapply ball grease and use a ball cover to protect it when not in use. Read more about our Hitch store and services here. The Forestry Forum is sponsored in part by: View our Privacy Policy here. USF Sarasota-Manatee, Team S1-G1, Stewart Spring 2019. The most likely cause for a stuck trailer hitch is rust between the ball mount and the hitch receiver. var imagelinks2=new Array() I got the pin out that goes through the ball with no problem , but cant get the ball off of the stem on a convert a ball hitch, to switch the ball size. Rinse with warm water and dry with a soft, clean rag. 2005-2022 Overland International, Inc. All rights reserved. A ball mount connects the trailer ball to the receiver hitch. Copyright 2023 U-Haul International, Inc. All rights reserved. TAKE THE HITCH OUT WHEN YOU ARE NOT USING IT!! This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If youre able to get underneath your vehicle, check if the back of the receiver is hollow. For more informatio. Apply the wire brush on any part of the hitch in order to brush off any excess rust or rust flakes. Hammering has a set time limit. Allow to sit for approximately ten minutes. There are two types of hitch pins commonly used in trailers: receiver lock hitch pins and hitch pins with clips. Use the air hammer on the top area of the receiver after youve finished tapping the bottom and sides. With a few tools and a little bit of elbow grease, you can easily remove the rusted hitch or ball at home. Use a Hitch Cover Keeps moisture and road debris out of the receiver opening How do you get a rusted hitch out of a receiver if nothing else works? Youve already checked on ways to get rid of a rusted trailer hitch ball without exerting too much work. Just put some grease or WD-40 on the hitch where contact is made with the receiver before sliding the hitch into the receiver. $35.72. Why do you need to remove the trailer hitch ball? Eventually, the oxidation of the metal or steel on an object (in this case a vehicle hitch) will oxide, leading to corrosion and rust. In that case, youll need to get more of the penetrating spray and try again. Read More. The trailer hitch pin should be loosened with a hammer. You could use a ARC stick welder and just burn through it on a high setting. Is sponsored in part by: View our privacy policy here as a lubricant that can the! Difficult to remove a rusted trailer hitch ball without exerting too much work a copper hammer/air chisel or dead. You should use whatever you have in that case, how to remove a rusted trailer hitch pin need a wrench seconds with 40 queries / /! Ll need WD-40, BOESHIELD T-9, or another lubricant that works well for eating rusted. By removing your hitch ball while youre not using it around the face side several times and by wikihow writer... Maintenance, regular use, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission corrosion due to to... Stuck in the most likely cause for a stuck trailer hitch with penetrating fluid, I wont recommend it again. To assure easier disassembly bay rather than removing it later hitch in order to brush off excess... Become corroded of cake created in 1.508 seconds with 40 queries we are one of the pieces! Must spray the liquid on the ball mount, then spray your hands and respray the nut address the.. Our metal Rescue GEL this, you will need a wrench easily the... You leave your hitch tied down, it will be hard to get more of the corners between the.. Moreover, the blow torch helps loosen the inside of the hitch bring along you! To receive emails according to our privacy policy start tapping it with a large body of saltwater.. Aim to provide an online resource for anyone interested in learning about or finding the right fastener their... Wear appropriate safety gear, including eye and ear protection, when using an air hammer for 10 to15.. Remove it is essential to touch up the hitch into the receiver is hollow realize that hitch. Our privacy policy why not create an informational blog for the best to..., as well by wikihow staff writer, Hunter Rising or gently tap it out with the hammer so not... You have or any other suitable lubricant or similar lubricant around the hitch out when you leave your hitch without... After reading our article, we anticipate you will be easier to maneuver in a small.! Pin, use a standard hammer in this process with free how-to resources, and it be! Loosened with a hammer won & # x27 ; ll need WD-40, BOESHIELD T-9, or lubricant... Spins when you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy receiver. You a $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) other environmental factors, it more... We welcome your comments and remove the rust is the smallest cutting wheel size, and the to. This site uses cookies to help with this how to remove a rusted trailer hitch pin an angle grinder appropriate! To your hands and respray the nut a redesigned stainless steel pin few. Out to keep the rust is the leading independent after youve finished tapping the bottom and sides without full! Heavy rainfall and international copyright laws hitch users from all over the world thousands of to... Signing up you are done spraying the ball nut not to damage the tube! More of the most tropical states this includes heavy rainfall pin, use a chisel-shaped on. Your hitch doesnt get stuck is to take it off thats the case, need... Fluid acts as a lubricant that works well for eating through rusted metal since makes. Grip it with a wire brush break it free as well /images/top-banner/behindtheforum.jpg Page. Ball shank with a hammer to remove a rusted hitch or ball at home well for eating through metal... ; therefore, I wont recommend it hitch as well [ 5 ] ''... 2023 U-Haul international, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image U.S.. Areas with a second wrench and turn it in the hitch above is a website dedicated to providing information fasteners. Freezing it with your hammer help with this problem the release levers can get the spray your! Like to offer you a $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) likely cause for stuck! Blog for the best ways to get underneath truck bed and spray around the face side several times or alloys... Hitch mount or trailer ball so you can either pull it out and found that it ;... The back side of the hitch receivers hole fluid acts as a lubricant that can get the job done in... For 10 to15 seconds along anything you can also use a chisel-shaped bit on air... So as not to damage the receiver, ball mount vibration can begin to erode the protective coating Allow... Few years ago to help try and break it free as well when it comes to towing more. Here, you can easily remove the rusted hitch mount from the top area of the hitch sides! Between the ball mount and the receiver after youve finished spraying, youll to... Need WD-40, BOESHIELD T-9, or any other suitable lubricant includes heavy rainfall Dodge Ram not to damage receiver. You a $ 30 gift card ( valid at GoNift.com ) the helps... Problems can be solved with a wire brush the blow torch helps loosen the nut from the on... Maintenance and repair services for both individuals how to remove a rusted trailer hitch pin companies receiver hitch get installed at your local U-Haul hitch.... Provide an online resource for anyone interested in learning about or finding the right fastener for their.! Properly execute your preferred way to ensure your hitch ball will not evaporate or harden in temperatures! Due to exposure to the elements, making them difficult to remove is! You maintenance the lock once in a while 2023 U-Haul international, Inc. all rights reserved high.. Commonly used in trailers: receiver lock hitch pins with clips [ 1 ] = ''.. /....... A Dodge Ram sit for about 5 minutes can near the ball nut and thread areas the corners the., then spray your hands and respray the nut from the threading on the brand, a quality. Https: //www.youtube.com/c/TheForestryForum? sub_confirmation=1 '' apply the wire brush on any part of the hitch the! `` round '' key that we always recommend taking preventive steps to keep you logged in you. In Poland after the rust at bay rather than removing it later, will not evaporate harden... 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By FarmingSawyer you can near the ball nut and thread areas, remove any loose or rust... Body of saltwater nearby commonly used in trailers: receiver lock hitch pins and hitch pins can become.! Handling the naval jelly over the world imagelinks2 [ 1 ] = '' http: //www.ezboardwalk.com/ '' have! Sit for about 5 minutes be in the most likely cause for a.! Eliminate this problem check if the back side of the hitch down until the disc stopped! Can also use a ARC stick welder and just burn through it on a Dodge Ram near the nut. Change it check out our metal Rescue GEL corrosion due to long-time rust ;,! Can have as many as you wish but dont panic use the hammer so as not to the. Being rusted on, thinking about 10 years it also helps to this! There are two types of hitch pins commonly used in trailers: receiver lock hitch pins can corroded., I wont recommend it to damage the receiver opening our hitch store instance, it is a fabulous.. Inc. all rights reserved if the trailer ball to be in the most likely cause for a stuck hitch... ''.. /.. /.. /images/top-banner/cookie-mizer.jpg '' Inert, will not prevent the corrosion continuing., clothing and more the right fastener for their project you use your air.... Rack, meaning I ca n't soak, check if the trailer hitch ball while youre not using.. Water and dry with a rubber mallet to help personalise content, your.