Necessary and Safe to Drill Through Heat Shield to Install Draw Tite Hitch on 2004 Honda Accord V6

Updated 08/17/2010 | Published 08/15/2010

Question:

Hi, I wanted to check with you if drilling through the heat shield is absolutely necessary to install a hitch on a 2004 V6 Ex Honda Accord. If it is then my question is how safe is it to drill through heat shield? Would that weaken its effectiveness? Thanks

asked by: Billy

Expert Reply:

For the installation of Draw-Tite Class I Trailer Hitch Receiver, part # 24787, on your 2004 Honda Accord V6 Hitch, you will need to drill through the heat shield to install it correctly.

Drilling through the heat shield where it mounts to the frame rail will not weaken its effectiveness as the metal from the frame rail is still behind the hole and the hole being drilled will have a bolt through it going into the frame rail. The heat shield on the vehicle is designed to dissipate and absorb the heat given off by the muffler. It is safe to drill through the heat shield as it will still be effective and safe in absorbing and blocking the heat from the floor and trunk of the vehicle.

expert reply by: Reno H