Stuck Knob and Anti-rattle on Thule EasyFold XT

Updated 09/26/2024 | Published 09/29/2020

Question:

Hi! I'm having trouble detaching my Thule EasyFold bike rack from the hitch receiver.After unlocking and turning the hand knob ,the antirattle device will not adjust at all.Its tight and cannot be dislodged. Any pointers how to deal with this? Thanks in advance.

asked by: Ampy

Helpful Expert Reply:

On the Thule EasyFold XT # TH903202, the lock is designed to spin freely when locked, and engage when unlocked. My first thought is that the knob and the anti-rattle mechanism are not engaged which has happened to me sometimes with the free-spinning locks.

What I do first when that happens is to play around with the key and lock. Try locking and turning, then unlocking and turning, try it with key in or out and see if that helps get things lined up. Another thing to try is to jiggle the rack around then try to loosen the knob. Since shaking the rack helps bring out the tension while you are tightening the knob, it might also align things while trying to loosen it.

expert reply by: Evangeline M

Donna L.

9/26/2024

I have the same issue. The lock was unlocked but the whole turning mechanism including the screw annd spring off of the unit. Now it is stuck in the receptacle. Any iseas

Kevin C.

9/26/2024

@DonnaL You can pick up a lock core removal key # TH42BJ and with the lock core unlocked with your key can use the removal key to pull the lock core out and then jiggle the knob to get it to engage again. If that does not work then I recommend reaching out to Thule for a warranty claim and they can get the locking mechanism swapped out with a new one so you don't keep having this issue.