Trouble Removing Skid Shield Bolts On a 2003 Jeep Liberty To Install Trailer Hitch

Updated 01/13/2020 | Published 01/12/2020

Question:

What is the best way to remove the bolts that are attached to the skid plate? I can get a ratchet on them but cant budge it. Can I use an impact wrench to loosen them and then use a ratchet to take them off the rest of the way?

asked by: Buster S

Helpful Expert Reply:

The best way to remove rusty bolts would be to first apply a lubricant, wait for the lubricant to break in then apply pressure with a breaker bar. If you have access to an impact driver that could be used to remove the bolts as well. If worse comes to worse, you can heat the bolt heat very carefully and then use either an impact driver or breaker bar to loosen the bolts. The above methods should then allow you to remove the skid shield bolts so you can install the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver part # 75128 on a 2003 Jeep Liberty.

Another trick you might try is to tighten the bolt a 1/4 turn and then try to remove it that way as tightening the bolt could help break loose some of the dirt/rust.

expert reply by: Conner L