Troubleshooting Locking Knob of the Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack # TH903202

Question:

My bike rack is less than a year old. Initially I could easily turn the knob that tightens and clicks in place at the hitch. I can no longer turn it all the way until it clicks. We are on a 12 hour drive with the bikes and when I checked at a stop the rack had begun to come out of the hitch. Scared the daylights out of me as we could kill someone if the bikes come loose. I have two back up cables but need to know how to make that knob click in place, I have to turn with all my might and still can’t click it. Thanks for your help.

asked by: Kathi M

Expert Reply:

I went ahead and reached out to my tech at Thule, and she confirmed that locking knob on the Thule EasyFold XT # TH903202 does not have a clicking mechanism to tell the user of the proper torque. You simply just tighten the rack into the hitch receiver until it is nice and snug.

In order to make sure that the rack is tightening properly, the first thing I recommend is to remove the Thule EasyFold XT # TH903202 from the hitch itself. After the rack is removed, try turning the anti-rattle knob. If the knob is working properly, you will be able to see the anti-rattle piece expand. This is a sign that the knob is working properly to tighten. It is also important to make sure the knob is unlocked while conducting this troubleshooting method.

If the rack does still have some play and moves when the bolt is tightened, this could be a sign of a warranty issue.

expert reply by: Bob C