For the first time in many years I have a new car! It came with a built-in towing package including everything but the ball, which I've bought separately. I have a bunch of blue thread locker on hand and attaching the ball to the hitch seems like the perfect application: I don't want it to come loose or corrode and I don't plant to ever remove it. The ball has 3/4" fine threads.

And yet, I haven't find any recommendations for doing this. Anyone know of a reason NOT to use thread lock on a hitch ball?

 

I must have towed 100s of times. Not once in all of that time have I ever had a hitch ball bolt come loose. To the contrary, I have always had a problem loosening them.

And I have never had a problem with corrosion except in the receiver. Grease the bold if you are worried about corrosion, tighten and call it a day.

Keep the receiver clean and greased.

 

Sooner or later......you will want to remove that ball. A spring washer should be fine.

 

All I ever use is the lock washer. I guess if I were to use a thread locker it would be the blue 242 but really I see no need.

Ron

 

I use both blue threadlock and a spring washer on screws that I know will be subject to continuous vibration and harsh use. For this case, using either a washer or blue threadlock should be fine. Just DON'T use the red stuff... you'd regret it later on.

 

Go to a hardware store and get a self locking nut with a nylon insert. I guarantee it won't unscrew itself and you will still have half a chance of getting it off later, which you will.

Even if you don't the odds are you won't get the thing off anyway. I have probably filled a 5 gallon pail by now with old trailer balls I have had to cut off for people over the years.

 

Go to a hardware store and get a self locking nut with a nylon insert. I guarantee it won't unscrew itself and you will still have half a chance of getting it off later, which you will.

Even if you don't the odds are you won't get the thing off anyway. I have probably filled a 5 gallon pail by now with old trailer balls I have had to cut off for people over the years.

No hitch problem is so big or so great it can't be solved with a cutting torch.

Ron

 

Every time I see someone set themselves up for the "last time I will ever need to do that", they need to do it again.

Soon, you'll buy a trailer that needs a different sized ball.

 

My hitch ball (2-5/16") came with a spring washer and a nut. I put it on and tightened the s**t out of it twenty years ago. I've towed 10's of thousands of miles and it's still tight as the day I put it on.
Use a spring washer and forget the loctite.

 

I've had mine stolen, so I put it on and take it off. A 1/2 impact driver will take it off, I purchased mine at Harbor Freight for $40 handy to have.

Or just purchase the hitches prefab with 3 different size balls. It's wielded onto the hitch.



kv

 

I ended up not using the thread lock. I went to the local AutoZone to borrow a torque wrench since mine doesn't go to the recommended 160 ft-lbs. Rather than do all the paperwork for the free 'rental', they let me just walk out to the car with it and get it done in 10 seconds. I didn't have my thread locker with me, so didn't use any. I still might put some on the exposed threads and let it soak in, just as a bit of a sealant. I've got a 4 ounce bottle of the stuff and need to use it for something before it goes bad.

 

I've got a 4 ounce bottle of the stuff and need to use it for something before it goes bad.

While I'm pretty sure the thing contains sugar, and that it would also look fabulous as a topping for Cherries Jubilè or some other fancy dessert, I strongly advice against it. A few years ago I had a bottle whose nozzle had gotten clogged, and I tried to remove the small chunk that was obstructing its tip using my teeth...

Bad idea... the most God-awful taste entered my mouth and it took hours for it to completely disappear.

 

While I'm pretty sure the thing contains sugar, and that it would also look fabulous as a topping for Cherries Jubilè or some other fancy dessert, I strongly advice against it. A few years ago I had a bottle whose nozzle had gotten clogged, and I tried to remove the small chunk that was obstructing its tip using my teeth...

Bad idea... the most God-awful taste entered my mouth and it took hours for it to completely disappear.

I have no plans to suck on my trailer hitch. (nod to Willie Nelson)

 

I've got a 4 ounce bottle of the stuff and need to use it for something before it goes bad.

I have used Loctite 242 which I know is at least 25 years old. Works like the day it was new.

Ron

 

While I'm pretty sure the thing contains sugar, and that it would also look fabulous as a topping for Cherries Jubilè or some other fancy dessert, I strongly advice against it. A few years ago I had a bottle whose nozzle had gotten clogged, and I tried to remove the small chunk that was obstructing its tip using my teeth...

Bad idea... the most God-awful taste entered my mouth and it took hours for it to completely disappear.

Your lucky you didn't loktite your lips.

 

Your lucky you didn't loktite your lips.

My wife begs to differ...

 

I've got a 4 ounce bottle of the stuff and need to use it for something before it goes bad.

You're lucky you didn't Loctite your lips.

I used to threaten my kids with the line...
"Silence is Golden, Duct (Duck®) tape is silver."

You could use, "Loctite is blue" (or "Loctite is Red" if they are really annoying you!)

 

You guys are funny. You do know that Loctite type thread lockers are not like 'super glue'? They are anaerobic and only "stick" due to the absence of air. An like ReloadRon I have some old old Loctite that still works to this day. Some of it is over 40 years old.

 

You guys are funny. You do know that Loctite type thread lockers are not like 'super glue'? They are anaerobic and only "stick" due to the absence of air. An like ReloadRon I have some old old Loctite that still works to this day. Some of it is over 40 years old.

I have a ten year old bottle of red locktite lying around, and it has lost its viscosity and become watery-like. It's lost some of its strength and takes much more time to harden too. But it still does work.

 

a self locking nut with a nylon insert.

I've been wondering for a few days...what about a piece of mono-filament fishing line? That should jam the threads just a little and, if you believe the environmentalists, it will last for 10,000 years.