When i previously removed my hitch, i noticed the most forward bolt on the DS was difficult to remove. Upon removal, i noticed the nut was slightly off-center. The nut that is a little more forward, even more so (to the point where it cannot accept a bolt)
I am getting a BIOR rear bumper in a couple weeks so i need to fix this problem.
I know of a couple ways to fix this already.
1. Remove nuts, install nutsert.
-I don't think this method would work very well, not be as strong as i'd like it to be for attaching a 200lbs bumper.
2. Cut a hole on side of frame, remove nuts, weld in new ones.
-rather not cut the frame if not necessary. Plus, i am always weary of welding on anything that is painted when i cannot adequately clean, and repaint all welded surfaces to prevent rust. Impossible to do on the inside of the frame.
3. Remove those two nuts, fabricate a piece of thick steel strip to lay in the frame channel (3/16" - 1/4"), drill two holes, spot weld on some nuts, lay in the frame.
I feel like method 3 would be the best however i think there is a problem that you can see in the pics. Our frames, from what i can tell, are essentially two C-channels welded together to make a boxed frame. It would appear that the bottom of the C on the inside of the frame has shifted/pulled up. This is the reason for the mis-alignment of the nuts.
So, if i lay the strip of steel with the nuts welded on inside the frame it will also not lay perfectly flat. There is the possibility that the massive 14mm bolts will pull the frame flat once they are tightened though.
Here are pictures to better explain what i am describing.
I am getting a BIOR rear bumper in a couple weeks so i need to fix this problem.
I know of a couple ways to fix this already.
1. Remove nuts, install nutsert.
-I don't think this method would work very well, not be as strong as i'd like it to be for attaching a 200lbs bumper.
2. Cut a hole on side of frame, remove nuts, weld in new ones.
-rather not cut the frame if not necessary. Plus, i am always weary of welding on anything that is painted when i cannot adequately clean, and repaint all welded surfaces to prevent rust. Impossible to do on the inside of the frame.
3. Remove those two nuts, fabricate a piece of thick steel strip to lay in the frame channel (3/16" - 1/4"), drill two holes, spot weld on some nuts, lay in the frame.
I feel like method 3 would be the best however i think there is a problem that you can see in the pics. Our frames, from what i can tell, are essentially two C-channels welded together to make a boxed frame. It would appear that the bottom of the C on the inside of the frame has shifted/pulled up. This is the reason for the mis-alignment of the nuts.
So, if i lay the strip of steel with the nuts welded on inside the frame it will also not lay perfectly flat. There is the possibility that the massive 14mm bolts will pull the frame flat once they are tightened though.
Here are pictures to better explain what i am describing.