Help getting tow hitch off!

[Disco-tastic]

Hi guys. just picked up a D3. I knew the hitch was bent beforw I bought it, but didnt realise it was now stuck on until after I'd bought it. Whoops.

the green security tab is bent like so:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/79.jpg

I dont have the key for it either, but the key flap wont open anyway.

Is there another way of getting it off, short of a grinder? Can I get the spare off if it's still there? Im heading away tomorrow so dont want to get stuck with a flat and inaccessible spare.

I saw that there was a tab on the other side with an allen key. Can I access the lock under this tab?
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/80.jpg

Any ideas?

Cheers

Dan

[Silvo]

Why not an angle grinder?

[Disco-tastic]

Why not an angle grinder?

I'd rather not destroy it if possible. I may need to tow something around town in the future and it'd be nice to have. I'd also like to avoid the risk of damaging something else, such as the spare.

Cheers

Dan

[Tombie]

I'd rather not destroy it if possible. I may need to tow something around town in the future and it'd be nice to have. I'd also like to avoid the risk of damaging something else, such as the spare.

Cheers

Dan

You cant/shouldnt tow with it in that condition....

Remove it asap and replace - look at a D4 unit - but check the housing in the Frame isnt damaged as they can then come loose and disconnect.. Or consider a Mitch Hitch as the ultimate upgrade.

[Disco-tastic]

You cant/shouldnt tow with it in that condition....

Remove it asap and replace - look at a D4 unit - but check the housing in the Frame isnt damaged as they can then come loose and disconnect.. Or consider a Mitch Hitch as the ultimate upgrade.

Thanks Tombie. A mitch hitch is the eventual upgrade.

It looks as though its just the security thing is buggered. Provided the rest is straight I wouldnt have thought it was totally ruined? I have never looked at one before so don't know.

Oh, and can I still get the spare off with it on?

Cheers

Dan

[SBD4]

Seeing as the locking mechanism is damaged I would not risk towing with it whether you get it off or not. I would recommend you try to remove it what ever way you can and get either a D4 receiver or a Mitch Hitch.

If you can't remove it before you leave, then you could remove the spare by deflating it assuming you have a compressor to re-inflate of course.

[Disco-tastic]

Yeah ok. I didnt realise it locked it in place - I thought it was just an anti-theft device.

I don't have anything on this one. literally starting from scratch!

Thanks for the help!

Cheers

Dan

[Redback]

Lots of WD40 and a BFH, let the WD40 soak for a few hours and get it right into the lock and all around it, then with the key in, try turning it and holding pressure on the key, while tapping the hitch gently, this has worked for me with similar items.

I'm restoring an old Kawasaki Triple that has 42yrs of rust build up, so I'm kind of an expert at this proceedure now:mad:

[Lotz-A-Landies]

The key/lock mechanism is on a shaft that rotates like a cam that withdraws an internal locking pin. If you attack the outside with an angle grinder you may make the removal task harder.

You could try removing the cover plate or even drill out the lock (the whole mechanism is buggered anyway) and see if you can pull the green handle and rotate which withdraws the pin. Otherwise I would try taking it to a dealer or specialist repairer who may have a trick to solve the problem.

As mentioned above, if you do replace the tow hitch get a D4 one (they are closer in to the chassis) and lubricate the tapers and pin with grease before inserting the mechanism. That way you shouldn't have the same problem again.

[PerthDisco]

I understand you can buy a new lock mechanism from the dealer. Should come with instructions of how to fit it. I presume you can remove the lock mechanism via the removable plate on the other side without unlocking the hitch (assuming it is not too bent & damaged). The new mechanism will allow you to unlock as normal (hopefully).

That's your best non-destructive bet.

Let us know how you go.

[Disco-tastic]

Thanks L-a-L

What about smashing a screwdriver into the lock?

Cheers

Dan

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Could work.

You need to rotate the tumbler, before you can pull and rotate the green handle, so anything that achieves that is what you need to do.

Have a heavy hammer ready because once you have rotated* the green handle you may need some heavy blows on the casting to get it to drop away from the chassis.

* there are arrows on the green handle telling you the direction of rotation

[Disco-tastic]

GOT IT!!! :D:D:D

Big thanks to Lotz-A-Landies :beer:. Your method worked a charm. The hitch itself and the mechanism were straight but because the green handle was all bent it wouldn't turn properly. A lot of shaking and force on the handle and it finally 'clicked' and the hitch slid out easily.

Thanks a lot!!

Cheers

Dan

[Lotz-A-Landies]

All Four X 4 in Kotara were wrecking a D4 this month. They may still have the tow hitch.

[Narangga]

I have just put a Mitch Hitch on so have my old D3 towbar if you are interested. Happy to post it to you. Send a PM if you want it.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Take a quick look at the difference between a D3 hitch and the D4 one!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/56.jpg

The D3 type is like a plough or keel sitting below the rear end any wonder they get damaged.

[Disco-tastic]

It makes you wonder. How can a group of people create a car thats so clever and well engineered and then design a tow hitch like that?

Cheers

Dan

[PerthDisco]

I think that is a first for man in the shorter option being better than the longer option. I cannot think of another contender!

[Disco-tastic]

Big thanks to Narranga (Dale) not only did he go through the hassle of packing and shipping a D3 hitch to me, he did it for FREE! What a guy!

Dale, if/when i see you, I owe you some of these :beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer:

Cheers

Dan