Sat Oct 06, 2012 2:10 pm
Advice on torquing hitch nuts?
I picked up a hitch receiver at the Torklift store in Kent yesterday, installed it this morning. Overall, a piece of cake, except I'm slow. It helps to have four hands when lifting it into position - son #1 helped.
It's bolted to the frame with six bolts through existing holes. Specs call for 35 lb-ft of torque on the nuts. I got three of them up to 35; the other three would go only to 25. The problem is, the bolt is spinning. And since the head is inside the frame channel, I can't apply a counter force.
The configuration is bolt - lock washer - 1/4" steel plate - frame - flat washer - flat washer - lock washer - nut. I tried using a pneumatic wrench on a light setting (I don't have suitable sockets), but it just spun the bolt as well.
So - is 25 okay on those bolts? Or should I take it to a mechanic and have him tighten them to 35?
Bret in Seattle
When a bicycle dreams, it dreams it's a tandem
When a tandem dreams, it dreams it's a LEAF
Bicycle: Co-Motion / Car: LEAF #1831, CYCLEAF