Need a tow ball installed

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dufremle
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Need a tow ball installed

Post by dufremle » Wed Jun 27, 2018 4:01 pm

Does anyone know where I can get my tow ball installed on my ball mount? The nut is 1 3/8" and the shank is 1", torque spec is 260 ft/lbs. I don't have a socket that big or a torque wrench that goes that high.
Jim

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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by Telomere » Wed Jun 27, 2018 5:41 pm

Uhaul installs hitches, I think. Try them?
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by fixxervi6 » Wed Jun 27, 2018 9:58 pm

ball mount? what are you talking about, do you not have a receiver?
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by JeffStrom » Thu Jun 28, 2018 5:53 am

I think he's talking about mounting the ball on the draw bar. I don't know what anyone would charge for that. If you are lucky they might let it go with a handshake since it is less than a two minute job if you come prepared. Auto parts stores sometimes loan specialized tools if you buy parts from them. I've had Orielly's let me use a torque wrench in the parking lot, didn't cost extra, just had to leave my DL at the counter 'till I returned it. Don't know if they'd have a loaner that big. It's probably about $100 to buy a 3/4" drive torque wrench that goes to 300 and a socket that size.

On the other hand, the "turn of the nut" method of setting pre-tension on a bolt is at least as accurate as using a consumer grade torque wrench, especially at those high values. If you really want to be accurate, and you know the type of steel in the stud, the thickness of the material the bolt is going through, and the pitch of the threads you can calculate the rotation from snug to achieve desired load, or measure the exposed portion of the stud with a micrometer between snug and tight.

Or, using a very large wrench or a breaker bar and socket, calculate how far down the handle you would need to place your weight to achieve the desired torque. Place the draw bar in the receiver rotated 90 degrees so the ball is sideways. Put the wrench or socket/bar on the nut and step on it at the calculated distance from the center of the stud.

Or you could just crank the crap out of the nut with a breaker bar. That's probably close enough.
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by Tooner » Thu Jun 28, 2018 6:22 am

JeffStrom wrote:
Or you could just crank the crap out of the nut with a breaker bar. That's probably close enough.
. This is how we would do it back on the farm. I don’t remember having a problem until we wanted to get the ball off!
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by dufremle » Thu Jun 28, 2018 7:51 am

Ya, I need the ball attached to the ball mount, or draw bar, whatever you want to call it. I priced sockets on Amazon, but I couldn't see spending $13 to $30 for a socket I will use once. I also don't have any wrenches big enough.
Jim

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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by JeffStrom » Thu Jun 28, 2018 7:57 am

If you aren't hard set on high precision, I can bring some stuff to bike night and see if it will work. You have a lock washer and this is a castle nut with a cotter pin?
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by dufremle » Thu Jun 28, 2018 9:02 am

Lock washer, regular nut, no cotter pin. I'll be heading straight to the restaurant after work so I won't have it with me. Let me see if I can get the pic of my ball uploaded.
Jim

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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by dufremle » Thu Jun 28, 2018 9:05 am

Ball
IMG_20180628_071039.jpg
Ball mount
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by DarcShadow » Thu Jun 28, 2018 9:36 am

I may have a socket big enough. I'll check when I get home. A large lock jaw wrench would work as well.
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by Telomere » Thu Jun 28, 2018 2:27 pm

Oh Jeezus Krist JImbo....seriously? I will install it for $20.
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by fixxervi6 » Thu Jun 28, 2018 4:57 pm

Damn dude, they make REESE ready to go hitches at walrmat already put together, pick it up, check out, stick it in the truck, done.
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by dufremle » Thu Jun 28, 2018 5:38 pm

Already have the pieces. Don't need to buy anything.
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by DarcShadow » Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:17 pm

No joy, 1 1/4 is the largest socket I have.
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by dufremle » Mon Jul 02, 2018 7:46 am

Thanks for checking
Jim

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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by DemonDuck » Mon Jul 02, 2018 8:55 am

I have the tools to do it but ... they are in Oklahoma. I can get them next weekend probably.
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by fartymarty » Tue Jul 03, 2018 1:15 pm

I found these bangin' around in the back of my PT Looser, I think they should work.
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by dufremle » Tue Jul 03, 2018 1:42 pm

The crescent wrench might work. Not sure I could get close to the torque specs with it, though.
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by fartymarty » Tue Jul 03, 2018 5:59 pm

dufremle wrote:The crescent wrench might work. Not sure I could get close to the torque specs with it, though.
Are you sure that the nut is 1 3/8"?....most are 1 1/2 for a 1" shank.

If it is 1 1/2 then I'm sure we could probably over torque it with a pipe over the small end of the box wrench.

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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by dufremle » Wed Jul 04, 2018 5:40 am

I measured it, and two guys at work both measured it. It is definitely smaller than 1 1/2".
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by Tooner » Wed Jul 04, 2018 8:29 am

fartymarty wrote:
dufremle wrote:The crescent wrench might work. Not sure I could get close to the torque specs with it, though.
If it is 1 1/2 then I'm sure we could probably over torque it with a pipe over the small end of the box wrench.
Love that old school thinking Marty! That NUT wont know what hit'm :SideSplittingLaughter:
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by JeffStrom » Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:41 am

I have this... But I really doubt it would work for that kind of torque
IMG_20180704_113756609.jpg
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by fixxervi6 » Wed Jul 04, 2018 11:47 am

I have like 3 of these, never seen this much drama over a hitch before!
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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by dufremle » Wed Jul 04, 2018 3:17 pm

Haha! Yes, it shouldn't be this difficult.

I measured the nut again and it looks like it is 1 1/2".
Jim

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Re: Need a tow ball installed

Post by fartymarty » Wed Jul 04, 2018 5:40 pm

dufremle wrote:Haha! Yes, it shouldn't be this difficult.

I measured the nut again and it looks like it is 1 1/2".
So, bike night tech session? Someone could take video for the FWMR reference library. :-)

...or are you holding out for a socket and torque wrench just to ....
fixxervi6 wrote:I have like 3 of these, never seen this much drama over a hitch before!
...increase the drama?