ball loose on hitch

[baylor43]

I continue to tighten the nut that hold the 2" ball on my hitch. Everytime I tow my boats it loosens and the ball is loose, still connected, but loose. I have tried putting the lock washer on the top and underneath the hitch plate, but no luck. any suggestions. Thanks

 

[DJ]

Re: ball loose on hitch

More than likely, the trailer ball shaft (shank) is too small for the receiver hole.

 

[DaveM]

Re: ball loose on hitch

Check the threads on your ball--they may be shmushed near the top and preventing you from getting it properly tightened.

 

[AaronG]

Re: ball loose on hitch

I had a problem like this once. It turned out that the cheap harbor freight ball's trads were too course, and loosened up to easily even if there was a lock washer. When you compared the harbor frieght ball to a Reese ball, the tread pitch on the reese was MUCH finer. That made it harder for it to loosen up.<br /><br />HArbor freight ball went in the trash can. Haven't had problems since.

 

[milkyway]

Re: ball loose on hitch

Yes, check the threads on the ball and use a locking washer that has a "cut". Not the one that has rubber insert along the thread. Put this (1)washer between the nut and the base of the coupler, not on both sides. Make sure the washer has the cut and both ends are "uneven", not flat. If flat, get a new one. It is the unevenness of the washer that gives pressure on the nut and keeps it from rotating loose. And the diameter of the thread, the receiver's hole and the washer should not be close so none of these parts wiggle when you tow.

 

[milkyway]

Re: ball loose on hitch

correction - the diameter of the thread, the receiver and the washer should be close tolerance. <br /><br />Also as AaronG states, the thread on the ball should match the grooves on the nut. If not matching, nothing will solve your problem.

 

[baylor43]

Re: ball loose on hitch

Wow, Thanks for all the replies and help. I will check it all out tonight and let you know what I find. Thanks Again

 

[Mark42]

Re: ball loose on hitch

I just added a Hidden Hitch to my car. Had to tighten the ball to the draw bar (1 7/8" ball w/ 3/4" shaft). I remember having the draw bar in my bench vise and using a breaker bar to tighten it because the torque spec was so high, like 125ft/lbs. (my torque wrench only goes to 80 or so) Make sure you are tightening it to the spec. If you are using a plain adjustable wrench, it probably is not getting tightened enough.<br /><br />And yes, the threads were fine, not coarse.

 

[tommays]

Re: ball loose on hitch

even if its good how tight are you getting it ? to begin with <br /><br />you need something to keep the ball from turning and a wrench for the nut and the recomended torque for that size <br /><br />a 3/4 bolt can take 150 ft pd and a 1" can go up to 300 so you need to do some asking what they need<br /><br />tommays

 

[baylor43]

Re: ball loose on hitch

OK Thanks again for the info. The hole for the shaft of the ball was much larger than the ball shaft. The threads were coarse. And yes, I was trying to tighten it with just a wrench. Sounds like I was doomed and stupid from the get go. I went to a local truck accessories place at lunch and got a new draw bar and ball. They installed the ball using a vice and an impact wrench. Thanks for the help.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: ball loose on hitch

Several other ways to stop it loosening by itself:<br /><br />Use locktite on the threads. <br />Get an old, sharp screwdriver and deform the thread up tight to the nut on the 'free' side after tightening, using a hammer on the screwdriver. <br />Use a second nut tight up against the first, as a locknut.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: ball loose on hitch

You mentioned that the hole for the ball was much larger than the stud. Thats the problem, nothing will keep that ball tight except inserting a proper size bushing, or using a ball with a stud thats the size of the hole.

 

[Holdimhook]

Re: ball loose on hitch

What they all said. Also, you might try a pipewrench to hold the ball while you tighten the nut.

 

[DJ]

Re: ball loose on hitch

That's what I said.<br /><br />

More than likely, the trailer ball shaft (shank) is too small for the receiver hole.<br />

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: ball loose on hitch

Ah ... I see it all now!<br /><br />Here, our balls are more manly - we have two holes in the ball plate and they mate with a matching pair on the hitch itself. Makes for a firmer coupling.<br /><br />That's why I said what I did above.

 

[ALAG3]

Re: ball loose on hitch

buy a new, quality ball and be done with it! They are cheap.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: ball loose on hitch

"When installing, torque all 3/4 shank balls to 160 ft. lb. all 1 to 250 ft. lb. and all 1-1/4 to 450 ft. lb. Balls with longer shanks are designed for use with step bumpers."<br /><br />The quote above is from Reese hitches. Most 2 inch balls have a 1 inch shank. Only the really cheap, low weight limit balls have 3/4 inch shanks, as I believe they are only designed for class I and class II hitches. I doubt that many backyard mechanics have a torque wrench that will measure the necessary 250 ft lbs, much less the muscle to get it there even if they could measure the torque. Even a lot of the inexpensive (under $100 US) 1/2 inch drive air impact wrenches found in many toolboxes around the world will only reach about 200 to 230 ft lbs at full power.<br /><br />I'm 100% positive that the hitch ball was never properly tightened, and I'm glad to hear you took it to someone who could get it done properly, AND get it done with the proper parts which you didn't have. If anyone here doesn't have the parts AND tools to get it done properly, take it to a mechanic that does and pay them for 5 minutes of labor to have it torqued. Thousands or dollars and many lives rest on your hitch ball being properly installed. Don't shortcut here...