When you have a rusted trailer hitch, for your best, you must replace it. There are many ways to prevent rust. However, when you plan to remove it, we can help you out!
Today, we are going to tell you how to remove rusted trailer hitch ball at home using some easy-to-find equipment! Let us know how to deal with it!
Check out the steps so that you can do it without hurting
Remove Rusted Trailer Hitch Ball
Even if you use the best drop hitch for a truck, you might end up having a rusted one! This can be pretty annoying but if you want to avoid it, you must go through preventions. But if your trainer hitch ball is already rusted, we have an easy way to remove it!
Step 1: Collect the Equipment
The first step on how to remove rust from the trailer hitch receiver is to gather the equipment and materials you need for the procedure. When you plan to go for this method, you have to get a penetrating spray first.
When you get the spray, start searching for the right hammer for the project. Also, don’t forget to get your hands on an air compressor. The air compressor will help you use the hammer.
Step 2: Spray the Hitch Receiver
Not only the trailer hitch ball rust but at times, the trailer coupler rusts from inside. The first step of removing the rusted trailer hitch ball is to get the right spray for it! Yes, first of all, you have to get your hands on a penetrating fluid.
Take it to the trailer hitch ball and then start spraying it. While spraying, keep in mind that you are spraying generously. Here, you have to spray the opening to the hitch receiver. Once you are done with this, you have to move forward and get the straw deep inside the corners of the hitch receiver. And here, start spraying. Go in a liberate manner and spray as much as you think you need.
Step 3: Start Air-Hammering
No matter how strong the shackle hitch receiver is, if you have a rusted hitch ball, it won’t work the same when it comes to towing. In this case, removing it with an air-hammer is a great idea. When you have done the spraying part, you have to settle for a hammer now. All you need to do is strike! In this case, you cannot use a regular hammer.
You have to search for an air hammer and work with it. Get your air hammer first and then start rapping. First, you have to rap the sides of the hitch receiver. Once you are done with the sides, get your hands on the bottom part of the trailer hitch receiver and start rapping. After you have done rapping the bottom and the sides, use the air hammer on the top part of the receiver. So, you are done air hammering all the parts of the receiver.
In this case, there is a specific time for hammering. Do not overdo it! Go for 15 seconds with the blows of your air hammer and that will be enough! A rubber hammer is one of the best deals you can get when it comes to removing rusted trailer hitch ball.
Step 4: On Repeat
Now that you are done with the hammering part, get ready for spraying! Yes, you need to spray once again if you want to learn how to remove the rusted trailer hitch ball. The spraying process is just like step 1, all you got to do is repeat the same process. And when you are done spraying, once again, go back to hammering.
All you need to do is keep hammering until you see that the ball mount of the trailer hitch is slowly loosening. For this, you have to keep an eye on the ball mount and do the process we have mentioned above with the same pace and effort. When the ball mount starts loosening, you have to pull it out. Yes, pulling it out is the easiest option to get rid of it. If you cannot pull it, you can also start tapping it with your hammer. After a while, it will slowly come out!
That’s what you want! Also, keep in mind that it is better to remove the ball mount when it is not in use. If you are doing heavy towing work, make sure you use a weight-distribution hitch for the travel trailer. Ball grease can also be beneficial to keep away rust. Prevention is better than cure, they say!
Step 5: Wrench and Spray
At times, you require replacing the hitch ball but the ball stays stuck inside the ball mount. Trust me or not, there are circumstances like this. In such situations, you have to get the spray on your hands and start spraying around the ball nut. For this, you have to stick to the WD-40 or such sort of lubricant that can get your work done!
Along with the ball nut, you have to ensure that you are spraying the thread areas too. Once you are done spraying, you have to search for a wrench. The wrench will help you dislodge the nut that is bothering you. All you need to do is use the wrench to dislodge it. It will slowly come out. In either case, it might stay stuck inside still.
If so, you have to get the spray once again and try for it. Adding a pipe at the end part of the wrench will help you adding some leverage. After this, you will be able to get your work done!
NB: In rare cases, the ball mount stays rusted in the hitch and you won’t be able to remove it or fix it. Don’t try too hard for it. At some point, you must have faith in the professionals to get the work done. Get help and they will replace the receiver hitch without any difficulty!
Wrap Up
You have already checked out how you can remove the rusted trailer hitch ball without putting in too much effort. The right gears are necessary and the rest work is easy as pie. However, keep in mind that we always recommend you taking recommended prevention to stay keep the rust away than remove it afterward.
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