Tip for Getting Last Bolt Started When Installing Hitch and Holes Don't Seem to Line Up

Published 08/25/2017

Question:

Hi! I just installed my etrailer hitch on a 2013 Mazda CX-9. The hitch has 6 large bolts and 2 smaller ones. 7 of the bolts lined up great and went in, but one of the smaller bolts will not because the threaded hole on the car does not quite match up to the hole in the hitch. The hole is a little low. I tried repositioning the hitch, but there is not much room with the other 7 bolts attached. It is a problem to run with 7 bolts instead of 8? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks!

asked by: Clark G

Expert Reply:

Here's what you'll need to do. Loosen all of the 7 bolts you have threaded currently to the point the hitch can move around a bit yet all of the bolts are still started. Now move the hitch around so that the last bolt hole can be started.

Once you get all of the bolts started then you can torque them all down.

expert reply by: Jameson C