Pulling Installation Bolts Through the Frame when Installing Trailer Hitch on a 2008 Ford Fusion

Question:

Hitch required me to drill two 1/2 inch holes...now done. I tried pulling the bolts and retainer thru with the spring pull thru but afraid to pull too hard and loosing them inside the steel where I drilled the holes. I can see the bolt thru the hole but it wont get upright thru the hole unless I give more force???? Please advise.

asked by: Lar

Expert Reply:

When installing a hitch that requires drilling on your 2008 Ford Fusion, like the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit # C11329, you will need to use a little extra force to pull the bolts through the hole that you drilled.

When I first started here, I helped out installing a trailer hitch on a vehicle and I had the same thought that you did. I quickly found out that if you have enough of the wire threaded on the bolt, you can actually give it a good yank and it will stay on the bolt.

Worst case scenario you would yank the wire off of the bolt (if you threaded it on enough this would take a bit of force). You can try using a magnetic pick up tool that you can find at your local hardware store to retrieve the hardware (there should be some that are flexible). It might be a little difficult since you will be sticking a magnet into a piece of metal, but you should be able to get it to work. Then you can simply use more fish wire for a 1/2" bolt # C58400 and try again.

expert reply by: Jon G