Today, on our 2007 Volvo XC90, we are going to install Hidden Hitch, part number 87810. This is what our hitch will look like once it is installed on the vehicle. Next, we will give you a couple of measurements to assist you with selecting accessories for your new hitch. From the center of the hitch pin hole to the outermost edge of the bumper is 6 inches. From the top of the receiver tube to the ground is 14 inches. Now, lets go ahead with the installation.
All right, before you can install the hitch, note that we have already gone ahead and removed the spare tire. This will give us easier access for the install of our hitch. Before we can begin installing the hitch, we will first need to remove the tow hook on the passenger side. There are 2 fasteners securing the tow hook. We will go ahead and remove the 2 fasteners and set the tow hook aside as it will not be reinstalled, however, do hang on to the fasteners as we will be using those to secure the hitch.
Next, we will move over to the driver side. We need to go ahead and lower the exhaust. To do this, we will put a safety strap underneath and spray down the 3 rear rubber isolators, 2 next to the rear axle and 1 just behind the muffler. With all 3 of them sprayed, down we can now begin removing the exhaust hangers. Now, we can go ahead and lower the exhaust to make it easier to access the exhaust hanger bracket here on the driver side frame rail.
There are 2 fasteners securing it also. We will go ahead and remove both fasteners and hang onto both the bracket and the fasteners as we will be reusing those to install the hitch. Now, with our frame rails exposed you can see we have 3 weld nuts that will be the 3 attachment points for each side. Since the rearmost attachment points have been exposed to the weather and elements, we will go ahead and use some spray lubricant and a half-inch nylon tube brush, part number 814092, to clean the threads of the weld nuts out to make it easier to install our new hardware. Double check and make sure our threads are clear enough, we will go ahead and take one of the new bolts and just hand tighten it into the weld nut to make sure it is clean and clear.
Now, we are ready to go ahead and install the hitch. It is a good idea to get an extra set of hands to help you hold the hitch while you install the hardware. Keep in mind on the driver side, as you are putting the hitch in place, you will install the exhaust bracket on top of the hitch sandwiching it between the hitch and the frame. Using the manufacturers hardware that we previously removed. For the rear attachment point on each side, we will be using new bolts, split lock washers and flat washers provided with our install kit. Now with all 6 of our fasteners installed, we can go ahead and tighten them down. Once you complete tightening them down, we can go back and torque each fastener to specifications as indicated in the instructions. We can go ahead and reinstall the exhaust and remove our safety strap. With that done, it will complete the install of our Hidden Hitch, part number 87810 on our 2007 XC90. .
