Cross threaded

i was installing my hitch yesterday and it seems I may have cross threaded one of the holes for the hitch on the frame.

Needless to say, that sucker is freaking cranked on there.

Should I worry about it?

 

Is it threaded only partway on?

 

No, I'm guessing the threads were chewed up near the head of the bolt because it started getting really hard to turn about then.

 

somehow this post reminded me of this

 

I'd back it out if at all possible. It's likely your bolt is cross-threaded but the hole is fine. Have a look at your bolt when you get it out and try a fresh one. See if you can get it in ok. You're usually fine unless you stripped the threading... which you obviously didn't.

 

It could be there was just a ton of gunk or undercoating or rust in the tapped hole too. If it backs out relatively smoothly once you get it moving, that's likely your problem.

 

I'll give that a go. I'm sure Ace has what I need

 

Id reccomend also ckeaning up the threads

 

It is likely there is rust I suppose. Took a lot of strength to break that bolt off the nut.

 

give me a pic of both sides of that bolt youre referring to. from what I remember, it won't matter. if youre really concerned with the stripped bolt, put a lock nut on it as well.

 

actually, give me the model number of the hitch you installed and what kind of taco you have

 

The bolt goes into a welded nut on the frame

 

And it's a bolt that on the truck already, didn't come with the hitch.

 

if you can get a nut on the bolt behind the welded nut, youll be fine. otherwise try and get the bolt removed and a new nut welded on.

 

Borrow a metric tap & chase out the threads, then put in a new bolt. Then rest easy.