MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Banjo16 on March 30, 2014, 04:34:52 PM

Title: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: Banjo16 on March 30, 2014, 04:34:52 PM
As the new camper is due next w/e thought I'd better take the tow ball off to get ready for the new hitch.
Didn't have a 30 mil socket but it's only been there 12 months so a large shifter would do the job.
How wrong can you be, it took 2 of us 20 minutes ; 2 pairs of Stilsons , a meter length of water pipe and some choice words. Repaired the nut on the bench grinder.

Don't know what the installer used to put it on but it sure wasn't coming off. 
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: D4D on March 30, 2014, 04:37:07 PM
Invest in another hitch, that way you never have to change your 'balls' again :)
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: whitedg on March 30, 2014, 04:41:39 PM
They normally use a rattle gun, and the nut is an alloy and the shaft a steel (had to cut one off a couple of weeks ago for my brother, and there were no sparks from the nut, and plenty from the shaft).

When the rattle on dissimilar metals, they heat up and fuse together. I can't work out why they don't put a flat on the flange of the ball to allow a big shifter to be used to stop the ball from rotating whilst undoing the nut.

Cheers
whitedg
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: D4D on March 30, 2014, 04:43:01 PM
I can't work out why they don't put a flat on the flange of the ball to allow a big shifter to be used to stop the ball from rotating whilst undoing the nut.


Like this?

(http://media.supercheapauto.com.au/sca/images/zooms/284471-zoom.jpg)
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: Supersi on March 30, 2014, 04:47:24 PM
I know exactly what you mean, I've take a hitch down to the local tyre shop and got them to put a rattle gun on it to undo the ball.
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: GraemeL on March 30, 2014, 05:13:40 PM
I have 3 different ones, Treg with stone guard bar attached for camper, 50mm ball for standard trailers and another that has our bike rack attached.

Much easier to just slip the pin out and swap them over when needed.
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: griz066 on March 30, 2014, 05:17:23 PM
Some anti seize as used on wheel nuts works a treat as well :cheers:
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: DaveR on March 30, 2014, 06:02:14 PM
It may also be the spring washer doing its job and you are fighting against it. Typically, if you win this battle, you may find the spring washer is now... umm... not so springy. It may have enlarged in its diameter and now useless to you.
A solution to this is to turn the ball with the stilsons at the base whilst holding the nut still with a spanner - shifter.
It would be such a novel idea to fit some flats to a ball base.
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: GGV8Cruza on March 30, 2014, 06:08:39 PM
A winch, two trees and a couple of snatch blocks makes quick work of the problem

GG
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: Hairs on March 30, 2014, 06:42:45 PM
If ya have tight nuts,
Just spray some Cats p--- on ya nuts.
That'll loosen them.
 ;D
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: DropBearRacing on March 30, 2014, 06:53:45 PM
I've got a couple of hitches. I can't be bothered busting my poopa valve trying to get the nut off or skinning my knuckles for that matter.
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: MarkGU on March 30, 2014, 06:53:48 PM
one trick with nuts or bolt that are very tight is a couple of good hits with a hammer to shock the nut or bolt followed by turning them as if you were going to tighten them up helps.

then try undoing them, works most times.
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: xcvator on March 30, 2014, 07:05:06 PM
Geeze, I'd love to have tight nuts again  :'(
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: D4D on March 30, 2014, 07:06:10 PM
Geeze, I'd love to have tight nuts again  :'(


http://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/queensland-man-whose-testicles-swell-to-giant-size-will-die-without-overseas-treatment/story-fnii5v6w-1226868886936 (http://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/queensland-man-whose-testicles-swell-to-giant-size-will-die-without-overseas-treatment/story-fnii5v6w-1226868886936)
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: fuji on March 30, 2014, 07:12:47 PM
Like this?

(http://media.supercheapauto.com.au/sca/images/zooms/284471-zoom.jpg)






Where do ya get it!!!??
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: D4D on March 30, 2014, 07:13:42 PM
Where do ya get it!!!??


http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Hayman-Reese-Interlock-Trailer-Ball-Mount.aspx?pid=284471 (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Hayman-Reese-Interlock-Trailer-Ball-Mount.aspx?pid=284471)
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: Renno on March 30, 2014, 07:16:20 PM
I always use a smear of anti seize now, hasn't been a problem since. We were in a similar position when we drove up to Gosford to pick up  a trailer and had to turn the hitch over, massive dramas in getting it off.
Renno  :cheers:
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: xcvator on March 30, 2014, 07:18:37 PM




Where do ya get it!!!??
Fuji, I hate tell you, but you don't need one for a swag  >:D
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: evolution on March 30, 2014, 07:19:16 PM




Where do ya get it!!!??

Got them at work mate. Having trouble with getting 3500kg versions off them at the moment though. Not sure why.

Cheers
Evo
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: discoteddy on March 30, 2014, 08:29:56 PM
Don you've gotta stop this "alone time" in the shed, it'll never end well :angel:

Cheers,

Disco teddy.
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: fuji on March 30, 2014, 08:35:12 PM
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Hayman-Reese-Interlock-Trailer-Ball-Mount.aspx?pid=284471 (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Hayman-Reese-Interlock-Trailer-Ball-Mount.aspx?pid=284471)




At $109, I'll stick with my current option. A bloody big shifter!!!
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: Cruiser 105Tvan on March 30, 2014, 08:54:09 PM
I've got a couple of hitches. I can't be bothered busting my poopa valve trying to get the nut off or skinning my knuckles for that matter.

With you there, well said Dogsta.
Title: Re: Tight nuts!!!!!
Post by: britts on March 31, 2014, 10:19:13 AM
It helps if you pull the hitch out and turn it 90*, then you can push down on the nut and not have to work sideways.