Fitting a used Mitch hitch

[morpheus]

Alright. I'm stumped.

How the hell do you fit the bush-like piece from an old Mitch hitch into the rear recovery point on a Discovery 3.

Is there some mason-like ritual I must perform first?

[morpheus]

For those playing at home..

[Narangga]

The rough join/edge on the recovery eye will need to be ground out to allow the bush to slide through.

I cursed the expense and bought a Dremel. However that meant it only took me less than half an hour to get the eye to be able to receive the bush.

I have also used the Dremel a number of times since - including on remote fob cases. :(

[morpheus]

Really?!

Wow. This vehicle previously have one fitted and I can't see any evidence of it being ground out..

Has anyone had luck with other methods?

I managed to get it part way in after I realised I could separate the inner bush piece. I have a Kaymar bar on so int really have much room to play with (but o guess you wouldn't with the original bumper either).

[Narangga]

Really?!

Wow. This vehicle previously have one fitted and I can't see any evidence of it being ground out..

Has anyone had luck with other methods?

I managed to get it part way in after I realised I could separate the inner bush piece. I have a Kaymar bar on so int really have much room to play with (but o guess you wouldn't with the original bumper either).

I remember reading something in another thread where the Kaymar bar does make fitting it trickier.

Even after removing the burr in the recovery hook mine was still a very snug fit.

[LRD414]

Even after removing the burr in the recovery hook mine was still a very snug fit.
My experience was the same as Dale and I too used the same method (factory bumper).
It remains a snug fit even after grinding off casting burrs but this is what is required, not a loose fit.

The inner bush remains slightly proud of the outer bush until the bolt is torqued, which helps installation.
But you have to proceed carefully so that everything is centralised within the eye once finished.

Leaving the inner bush partially out helps to fit the whole thing into the eye BUT if it's too far out you won't get the whole assembly central.

If it's a secondhand bush it may have expanded too much and you may need to purchase a new bush.
You should also get new bolts anyway.

Regards,
Scott

[morpheus]

Thanks guys. Where can one purchase a bush such as this? I presume I can just get the bolts from a hardware store?

[Narangga]

Not much help with that I'm afraid - other than to suggest contacting Mitchell Bros to ask if they would supply new hardware?

[Meken]

From Mitchell bros. no that bolt wouldn't just be a local hardware job it'd be something like a structural 8.8 - check with Mitchell Bros

[LandyAndy]

I rekon it would be much easier sanding/grinding the poly bush than the tow point;););););););)
Have you got(or can you borrow)a set of vernier callipers to measure the hole???
Andrew

[LRD414]

From memory, the bolts are high tensile grade 12.9 readily available from speciality bolt shops. The bush is probably a bespoke item, so from Mitchell Brothers is the best bet.

Scott

[sheerluck]

Thanks guys. Where can one purchase a bush such as this? I presume I can just get the bolts from a hardware store?

Mitchell Bros do a replacement fixings and bush pack in their store Mitch Hitch Fitting Kit – Mitchell Brothers 4x4 & More (http://www.mitchhitch.com.au/collections/mitch-hitch-and-components/products/mitch-hitch-fitting-kit)

[Narangga]

Mitchell Bros do a replacement fixings and bush pack in their store Mitch Hitch Fitting Kit – Mitchell Brothers 4x4 & More (http://www.mitchhitch.com.au/collections/mitch-hitch-and-components/products/mitch-hitch-fitting-kit)

As always some smarty pants will always check on the obvious. :wasntme: :p

[sheerluck]

As always some smarty pants will always check on the obvious. :wasntme: :p

Obviously :lol2:

[morpheus]

You know, I really wish I had waited and read the past few posts. It might have saved me a lot of time and skin from my knuckles..

So after a fair bit of persuasion the bush is in the eyelet. It needs to be centred a bit more and the middle piece needs to be pushed in a bit more but it's in.. The only way it is going to come out now is if it's drilled.. The bolts don't look too bad actually. I think I will use them and look to order a lot from Mitchell Bros down the track.

Thanks for all your posts. It's been emotional.

[Narangga]

I may be wrong (as usual) but I believe it will centre more as you tighten the bolts.

[crawal]

Check the markings on the head of the bolt it should read either 8.8 or 10.9
should be readily available at most good bolt shops .The washers are hi tensile.
If you have problem pm me and i will arrange (i know a really good shop :D)

Craig

[Babs]

Alright. I'm stumped. How the hell do you fit the bush-like piece from an old Mitch hitch into the rear recovery point on a Discovery 3. Is there some mason-like ritual I must perform first?

Gee, all you had to do was get it on the level, then square it up, it should then fit plumb straight through like a compass. :) :):)

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[Mutley0]

Hi Morpheus,

Getting enough clearance on one side to fit the bolt through this bush can be a challenge as well. I have done it a few times and find that it is easier to undo the three screws holding the trailer plug socket into place. You can then move/rotate the socket enough to get the bolt through the Mitch Hitch and bush.

Cheers,
Peter

[morpheus]

So after a long hard think (and hours of bashing, swearing and scratching me head) I admitted defeat, handed in my #mancard and took it to PCB Land Rovers. Peter told me that he had to pry open the hitch to get it over the bush (so way beyond my limited household tools) and then was faced with the dilemma of the trailer plug.. The only option they had was to unfasten all the clips holding the wires so they could move the trailer plug completely out of the way which meant part removing the kaymar bar. Fidgety job, but so grateful that they had the time to do it as there is no way I would have been able to get it done.

Moral of the story - when I bought the car I should have insisted the original Mitch Hitch came with it (perhaps a moot point anyway as the previous owner had taken most of it with him anyway). Second moral of the story - kaymar bars are awesome, except when they are not.

[Ozzy119]

The rough join/edge on the recovery eye will need to be ground out to allow the bush to slide through.

I cursed the expense and bought a Dremel. However that meant it only took me less than half an hour to get the eye to be able to receive the bush.

I have also used the Dremel a number of times since - including on remote fob cases. :(

Does this require any rust inhibitor be applied to the surface to protect the frame ? Or a spray of paint or something similar ?

cheers

[Narangga]

Does this require any rust inhibitor be applied to the surface to protect the frame ? Or a spray of paint or something similar ?

cheers

Being cast I did not do anything to it. I had not read of anybody else doing anything like that to theirs either. HTH.

[Stealthylandy]

Thanks for the post and helpful suggestions guys. Hopefully we will be fitting our SH Mitch hitch to our disco very soon... Then we'll finally be able to tow stuff!