How to Remove the Curt Pop-In Ball # C60601 with Broken Release on a 2016 Ram

Updated 06/03/2025 | Published 02/24/2018

Question:

Bought a 2016 ram with this ball in it, however the release is broken on the ball itself and I cant remove it. How do i get this hitch out? Thanks

asked by: Chris S

Expert Reply:

I spoke with my contact at Curt who told me that there is an access hole at the bottom of the OEM gooseneck hitch on your 2016 Ram.

You are going to look for an aluminum or plastic plug that once removed will allow you to retract the locking mechanism on the Curt Pop-In Ball # C60601.

Please note that if you have left the hitch ball in your gooseneck hitch for a while (5 months or more) without applying grease to it then there could very well be some rust that is built up as well. You need to heavily apply some spray lubricant like WD-40 or our UltraLube Biobased Spray Lubricant to help loosen the hitch ball up. If it is still stuck then apply more lubrcant and try hitting it a few times with a rubber mallet.

Once removed you can just replace it with the same part number. I recommend removing it if there will be prolonged times without use and frequently applying lubricant to it.

expert reply by: Jon G

Ronnie T.

5/5/2020

I have a ball that I can't get out and I have taken the guts out of it where there's nothing holding the ball bearings in but they still won't release the ball from the hitch how can I get this ball out

Chris R.

5/7/2020

There's likely a good amount of rust/corrosion holding that ball in place. The best you can do is REALLY lubricate around the hitch ball (you may need to repeat it a few times) and then hit the ball a couple times with a rubber mallet to try and knock it loose.

Jon S.

4/12/2021

@RonnieT Hello fellow ball-challenged truck owners. I wanted to update you with how we finally removed the Curt Gooseneck Ball from my F350. After months of half-hearted attempts, and weeks of spraying Blaster, WD40 and FreeAll, trying to lift it with a chain & forklift, hammering with a mallet all with no success... and were ready to drill it out or remove the truck bed... we finally got serious and removed it. Here is what we did: First, with this 2016 F350, there is a steel plate below the ball opening, so no hitting from under the truck. We decided to use a slide hammer. But how to attach it to the ball? Here's what you do... Attach a bearing splitter snuggly around the thin part of the ball. You can't attach a slide hammer to the splitter, so you will attach a gear puller to the splitter. We borrowed both (with a deposit) from the local Autozone. Then attach the slide hammer to the gear puller. Even after weeks of lubricant, it took several whacks with the slide hammer. As we were about to give up, we noticed that the gap between the ball's lower ledge and the bed was getting wider. A few more whacks and it was free. You can clean up the messy lubricants with some Simple Green and a scrub brush. Be warned that those chromed bearings that hold the ball in place are going to rust, and they are going to seize if you don't keep them lubricated. I left my trailer hooked up for about 9 months, and that was enough to do it. For the next ball, I'll just keep it under my rear seat when not using it. I am going to try to post this as a thread starter so I can add some photos for whoever needs to see them. I hope this helps someone out there who had the same issue as we did with this. Good lock and safe trailer travels!

James W.

4/12/2021

@ChrisR I ran into this issue with a Curt drop in ball. Here is how i removed it. Soaked with Kroil overnight. Then: 1. Remove plastic cap from bottom of hitch ball. 2. Remove push pin in that is in lever handle on top of ball. This will allow rod with flip paddle to drop down through hitch ball. 3. From under truck poke, push, scrape at two ball bearings that are now accessible. It may help to have someone in truck bed moving hitch around so there is no binding pressure on the ball. 5. Once removed thoroughly clean all surfaces and reassemble the hitch ball. It is very intuitive on how to reassemble. 6. Learn the lesson--DO NOT LEAVE HITCH BALL IN TRUCK FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AND KEEP IT CLEAN AND LUBRICATED

See All (4) Replies to Ronnie T. ∨

Josh D.

6/26/2020

I bought a used 2017 super duty with an 8 foot bed and OEM gooseneck kit with puck holes. I can't get the pop in ball to release when i lift the latch and turn the latch 90 degrees like in the video. the ball itself spins in the hole in the OEM kit and I'm able to turn the latch 180 to 270 degrees when it is in the up position. Is the locking mechanism toast? How do i get this ball out of the OEM hitch to replace it with a new one. I have tried lubricating the heck out of it and no luck. HELP!

Chris R.

6/30/2020

We recently had a customer with this same type of issue and what he had to do was take the pin out of the top of the ball and drop the release rod down through the bottom. He then used a punch and magnet to physically knock the two ball bearings out and finally release the ball. Using a healthy dose of WD-40 a couple times before this process helped as well.

Jon S.

3/4/2021

@ChrisR Having the same problem with a 2016 F350 Long Bed, with heavy duty towing package. When I get under the truck, there is a factory steel plate welded over the hole. There are 2 small access holes where I can see and put a screwdriver through to slightly move the ball, but can only go in at an angle. Not enough to get any power tools in or drop the pin. By now, the little tip that you turn broke off. I can still tell that the pin is turned the correct 90 degrees. I've just tried applying pressure with a chain and a forklift. It's not coming out. The ball is maybe a couple years old, replacing another one where the tip broke off, but came out that time. Any other suggestions?

Jon G.

3/6/2021

@JonS Hmm, are you able to rotate the hitch ball at all? Have you tried spraying lubricant into those 2 small access holes to try to loosen up the underside of the gooseneck hitch ball? Maybe if you're able to combine both of those then you might be able to remove it.

Jon S.

4/12/2021

@JonS Hello fellow ball-challenged truck owners. I wanted to update you with how we finally removed the Curt Gooseneck Ball from my F350. After months of half-hearted attempts, and weeks of spraying Blaster, WD40 and FreeAll, trying to lift it with a chain & forklift, hammering with a mallet all with no success... and were ready to drill it out or remove the truck bed... we finally got serious and removed it. Here is what we did: First, with this 2016 F350, there is a steel plate below the ball opening, so no hitting from under the truck. We decided to use a slide hammer. But how to attach it to the ball? Here's what you do... Attach a bearing splitter snuggly around the thin part of the ball. You can't attach a slide hammer to the splitter, so you will attach a gear puller to the splitter. We borrowed both (with a deposit) from the local Autozone. Then attach the slide hammer to the gear puller. Even after weeks of lubricant, it took several whacks with the slide hammer. As we were about to give up, we noticed that the gap between the ball's lower ledge and the bed was getting wider. A few more whacks and it was free. You can clean up the messy lubricants with some Simple Green and a scrub brush. Be warned that those chromed bearings that hold the ball in place are going to rust, and they are going to seize if you don't keep them lubricated. I left my trailer hooked up for about 9 months, and that was enough to do it. For the next ball, I'll just keep it under my rear seat when not using it. I am going to try to post this as a thread starter so I can add some photos for whoever needs to see them. I hope this helps someone out there who had the same issue as we did with this. Good lock and safe trailer travels!

See All (11) Replies to Josh D. ∨

Jonathon E.

5/23/2024

If u go from the bottom how do u release the locking mechanism

Jon G.

5/24/2024

@JonathonE It sounds like you're needing the tips that James W. left a few years ago in his comment: "I ran into this issue with a Curt drop in ball. Here is how i removed it. Soaked with Kroil overnight. Then: 1. Remove plastic cap from bottom of hitch ball. 2. Remove push pin in that is in lever handle on top of ball. This will allow rod with flip paddle to drop down through hitch ball. 3. From under truck poke, push, scrape at two ball bearings that are now accessible. It may help to have someone in truck bed moving hitch around so there is no binding pressure on the ball. 5. Once removed thoroughly clean all surfaces and reassemble the hitch ball. It is very intuitive on how to reassemble. 6. Learn the lesson--DO NOT LEAVE HITCH BALL IN TRUCK FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AND KEEP IT CLEAN AND LUBRICATED"

Christopher

6/2/2025

I have this issue too. The problem is have is the top lever is broken and pretty much can't even see it anymore. How do I remove or turn the slide to start removing stem? Will drill work or how do I go about this?

Jon G.

6/3/2025

@Christopher Have you tried looking at the underside of your gooseneck hitch like I mentioned above?