I am trying to install a trailer hitch on my 2010 Honda CRV LX to tow 2 bicycles behind my CRV. The trailer hitch set that I bought included 4 bolts that bolt directly into the frame. My honda has 4 holes on the frame that are perfectly lined up to the holes on my trailer hitch mount.
My issue is that the threads for all 4 holes in the frame of my CRV are rusted. I tried soaking them in wd-40 and brush out the old rust but I am still not able to get the bolts in the hole.
I figured my next best course of action before giving up and going to a shop would be to drill out a slightly larger hole for each of the 4 screw holes and then use a tap and die set to rethread the frame. I am a complete newbie to this. I was looking to see if there was a chart or some guidance on what size tap and die you would use for a specific diameter that I drill out.
From what I can tell, I need to use a 3/8" drill bit to drill out the entirety rusted threads. After I have a clean hole, I was wondering how would I learn which size tap I would use to create the new threads in the newly drilled out 3/8" hole? After that, I was wondering if I could just go to a hardware shop to get a new larger and possibly stronger bolt with the same threading to match the new hole.
Thanks for the help!
Before drilling out the threads how about using a thread chaser to try cleaning them up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkyXjF5V2ws
Oh nice! Didn't even think of that. Do you think these threads are salvageable with that?
https://photos.app.goo.gl/MhxCavmsWsieQmpu8
Can't really tell from the photos, it's going to depend on how bad the rust is on the threads.
So a comment on the hitch that I bought on Amazon said they used a 10mm x 1.25 tap to chase the threads which worked for them. How would I find the specific pitch?
Do you mean threads per inch? That's what the 1.25 specification is.
https://www.mscdirect.com/basicsof/taps
Thanks for the website, that helps a lot!
the threads for all 4 holes in the frame of my CRV are rusted
there are tools that exist specifically for this purpose. It's called a thread tap. Just use it to chase the rust out of the bolt hole threads.
You first need to determine the thread dimensions (diameter, and thread pitch)
Maybe it's already labelled on your hardware kit. If not , you use a gauge on your bolts. (it's most likely metric)
If you don't want to go through the trouble and buying tools, then just take it to a mechanic or machine shop. They should be able to it likety split at minimal cost.
what about that???
Somehow I missed that 👀 looks to me like that might need some fixing before I even consider doing this hitch
Definitely does not look good. However it does appear there's enough solid metal there that it could be welded.