Troubleshooting a Ball Mount Rusted to a Trailer Hitch

Updated 02/16/2015 | Published 02/15/2015

Question:

My receiver is rusted into my hitch,please give advice on how to remove and put in something that does not rust up,thank you,

asked by: Les

Expert Reply:

Sounds like your ball mount has rusted so badly that it is stuck in the hitch you have on your vehicle. What you will first want to do is liberally apply a spray lube like WD40 or liquid wrench to the ball mount. If the back of the hitch opening is open spray some down in there, down the front of the hitch opening and also on the hitch pin hole.

Since you don't plan on using the ball mount anymore I would recommend taking a heavy hammer or sledge and hitting the ball mount into the hitch a few time to unfreeze it. Keep an eye on the hitch pin holes of the hitch and the ball mount. They should be lined up before you hit the ball mount and once the ball mount has moved they won't line up any more. At this point the ball mount should no longer be frozen in the hitch and you should be able to pull it out.

You may have to use the hammer to apply force on the ball mount to get it out as well.

The best way to prevent rust from forming on the ball mounts will be to remove the ballmount when not in use and touch up scratches in the paint with black spray paint.

I attached a help article on rust prevention for you to check out as well.

I also attached a help article on how to pick out the correct rise/drop ball mount.

expert reply by: Jameson C