I have a hidden hitch on my 97 OB but it's rusted and I have nothing to tow so I'm looking to remove it because I think it blocks things when you put on a larger exhaust?

 

How many bolts hold on the hitch?

Not bad on a 97. Just 4 bolts I believe.

 

On the 98 you have to undo the EVAP crap by the right rear wheel well so it's a bigger deal.

Sweet, since I never seen a hitch install up close (did not really look yesterday) is it just screwed into the body or is it nut and bolt?

2 bolts with nuts go through the tie down loops on the rear of the undercarriage and then 2 bolts drop down from inside the chassis frame with 2 nuts. theses nuts are easy to get to but the bolts from the inside are more difficult. i might remove the nuts, washer and then the hitch and then reinstall the nuts and washers. this would eliminate having to take the ''cargo area apart to get the bolts out. and it would keep road dirt from entering the car.

you could take it to a u-haul and have it removed if you can't get the bolts out. the bolts may break.

I usually use an impact from below.

 

In the 70's I installed a LOT of hitches, actualy when Uhaul got into the business in about 79 or 80 I was the regional hitch expert since I had been doing it for about 5 years by then.

 

A lot of times the "nuts" are rectangular hunks of metal that are threaded and made to get jambed and thus stop from turning be they in a spare tire well or frame inplaces where you can't get a wrench on them.

 

The Subaru's I've removed hitches from didn't reuse any OEM hardware. So the 4 bolts from underneath (and I've never had to put a wrench on the "nut" on top) and you should be good. The manufacturers vary a bit but usually if there isn't ample room they either do rthe rectangular hunk of metal thing or weld a metal strip to a nut to help position the nut in the frame/unibody that that strip helps it get jambed.

im not sure if it's factory or not I did not really get a good look at it but I know its pretty rusty. I have air tools

The hitch mounts with some big bolts into the frame and on the tow-hooks - they come with the hitch typically. The one's I've installed have required the rear "under bumper" be cut in specific ways for proper mounting.

 

GD

I did the u-haul hitches myself and did a few soobs in maison, wi.

 

one fun fact: the valley tobar for sale at u-haul just happens to fit ea81-ea82-legacy/impreza tow loops without the shackles, just pins and the rectangular spacers leftover from hitch installs.

 

 

I usually use an impact from below.

 

In the 70's I installed a LOT of hitches, actualy when Uhaul got into the business in about 79 or 80 I was the regional hitch expert since I had been doing it for about 5 years by then.

 

A lot of times the "nuts" are rectangular hunks of metal that are threaded and made to get jambed and thus stop from turning be they in a spare tire well or frame inplaces where you can't get a wrench on them.

 

The Subaru's I've removed hitches from didn't reuse any OEM hardware. So the 4 bolts from underneath (and I've never had to put a wrench on the "nut" on top) and you should be good. The manufacturers vary a bit but usually if there isn't ample room they either do rthe rectangular hunk of metal thing or weld a metal strip to a nut to help position the nut in the frame/unibody that that strip helps it get jambed.

I did the u-haul hitches myself and did a few soobs in maison, wi.

 

one fun fact: the valley tobar for sale at u-haul just happens to fit ea81-ea82-legacy/impreza tow loops without the shackles, just pins and the rectangular spacers leftover from hitch installs.

 

Funny. Valley made what I consider to be the best tow bar for regular VW beetles. A slightly different design than most where it attaches to the front torsion bar.

got pictures and some macro pictures!

 

You could not pay me to tow anything with this..

 

 

http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/products/Class_II__1_1_4_inch_Receiver_Hitch,36234

Edited April 20, 201114 yr by 1-3-2-4

going to try and remove it today with airtools

no air tools needed, just chain it to a telephone pole and drive away, it will turn to dust and keep you from having to climb under.

 

When I worked for uhaul, we installed hitches, but mostly washed our cars and changed our oil on the clock, with uhaul's materials

done..used the sawzall

 

I have a Draw-Tite hitch on my truck. It's rusty but nothing like that!