[ZJTechie]

Hello,
I recently removed my Class III hitch, as it was covered in rust, and needing a severe paint job. In doing this, one of the terribly rusted hitch bolts broke off, and the easy-out I tried broke IN its shaft. This left me with no bolt hole, and NO WAY of attaching one of the six total hitch bolts. The options I have considered are welding a plate onto the hitch/frame, but I am worried about the unibody frame not liking a weld job. Do I really need that last bolt, as there are five others? Thanks in advance!

[Ds4x4]

which are you talking about? there are two towards the rear and then 1 near the front that is a welded nut on the inside of the rail?

probably need to drill it out or get another easy out.. if you do any serious towing then i would go ahead and put all 6 in..

[Katesdad]

6 beats 5 anyday.

[skunked_once]

You can take off the rear bumper plastic cladding and you will be able to see how the hitch bolts are attached to or through the frame. I took mine to a trailer hitch specialist place and they used a torch to cut off two damaged bolts. If you do it yourself you will need to also unbolt the rear bumper to get into the frame. I was happy to pay the $60 to have the hitch shop do the job and put my hitch back on.

[jeepheller98]

yeah its not broken in the unibody its held by a nut that is tack welded on the inside. heat it up and hit it with an air chisel and break out the old welded nut, its a lil tough but not impossible. then just run your own bolts and nuts... i did this for ALL of my hitch bolts UGH... o well new grade 8 and thicker bolts= NEVER BREAK

[ZJTechie]

Ok, so I take off the back bumper, and work with the hardware from there, that makes sense. I think I can handle that, by the way, all that hardware, is it supposed to be Grade 8?

[ZJTechie]

Oh, Ds4x4 asked which one broke, it was the passenger-side, front bolt. It has a nut welded inside the frame, and drills can't cut through it now that it is full of that hardened easy-out. Thanks,

[LaCeS OuT]

If it makes you feel better my hitch is on by 5. The 6th broke and its been fine. I towed my 900 lbs trailer 2 hours to pick up a CR250 (~220 lbs) and towed it back home fine.

Of course 6 are better than 5 and I plan on fixing mine but it did fine. Just make sure the bolts are tight. I used an impact wrench and then check them with a breaker bar. They wont budge!

I would use Grade 8. Why not? Its much stronger.

I put Anti-Seize on mine so if I need to remove the hitch I can. Makes it easier.

[ZJTechie]

That makes sense, if it's strong with the stock bolts, then grade 8 would be better. I will work on that, now that I know those nuts are just welded inside the frame, should be ok now. Thanks all.