How to Correct for Hitch Installation Hardware That Appears to Be Wrong Size

Question:

bolts do not fit my Sienna nut ends too big

asked by: Charles K

Expert Reply:

When installing a hitch like # C13105 on a vehicle that is even just a few years old, or certainly on your 2004 Sienna, it can often seem that the included hardware is way too big for the holes in the vehicle frame. This happens due to corrosion and trapped foreign material building up in the threads of the weld nuts in the frame rails. It will absolutely appear that the hardware is too big but in fact you just need to clean out those weld nuts.

Please refer to the linked article which covers this process. Application of a spray solvent like WD40 or PB Blaster, along with some elbow grease with a wire brush, does the trick. Sometimes it can be necessary to go through this process more than once. Applying the solvent and giving it some time to work (such as overnight) also helps.

expert reply by: Adam R