Hardware Included With Curt C13146 Class III Hitch Won't Thread into Nuts Welded into Frame

Updated 08/05/2021 | Published 08/03/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(1376)

$226.40

Battery Post and Terminal Cleaner - Wire Brush

(15)

$5.02

Question:

I got the hitch for my 2016 Honda Pilot. The bolts do not fit in my pre made holes. They are M 14. I went and got M 12 they are to small. Any suggestions? The videos on here show how easy it was to installed.

asked by: Melissa S

Expert Reply:

The M14-1.5 x 40 bolts are the correct bolts to install the Curt # C13146 Class III hitch on your 2016 Honda Pilot.

It's pretty unlikely that you received the incorrect bolts, I've only seen that happen a few times in my almost 15 years here. What is MUCH more likely is that corrosion and road grime have built up into the attachment points that have the M14 nuts welded up into the vehicle's frame members. The dirt and corrosion build up in the threads of the nut and prevent the bolts from threading into place. This is an extremely common issue that's almost always fixed by spraying a generous amount of spray lubricant like WD-40 into the threads on each of the nuts and then giving them a good scrubbing with a wire brush like what's found on a battery terminal cleaning brush such as part # DW00254. You might need to do this several times to completely clean the threads.

This issue is very common on a vehicle that's been used for more than 2 or 3 winters on roads that have been treated with ice-melting chemicals.

expert reply by: Mike L