Land Rover Joe
Full Access Member
No shame there @scapistron - this is definitely not in the "great design" category
Thanks @ftillier !
Very helpful -
LR4 Trailer Hitch Service / Rebuild
- Thread starter Land Rover Joe
- Start date
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Very helpful -
My hitch was absolutely stuck in place when I purchased my LR4 back in 2022 (also no key); if you remove the pin as mentioned above you will see something like this (you can see the small hole on the silver shaft where the spring pin goes through):
I was then able to remove the plate which is on the other side of the hitch (not shown in the photo) and the shaft can be removed:
I then used pb blaster for days to try and get it to unseize!
I was then able to hammer the main retaining pin from where the spare wheel is located and eventually removed the hitch. I unfortunately didn't photograph my journey but I spent a lot of time pulling the internals out and working to cleanup corrosion, I recall it being a challenge but eventually and with lots of grease I got it back to smooth operation. You will be dealing with three different shafts; two horizontal (one of which is the one removed above) and one vertical along with a ball bearing. I'm sorry that my memory is vague on this. One other thing, when it's working; you need to pull the knob towards the passenger side to get the final portion of rotation and therefore main pin retraction to actually get the hitch to withdrawal (it's hard to explain so sorry this description is not great!). Good luck.
I was then able to remove the plate which is on the other side of the hitch (not shown in the photo) and the shaft can be removed:
I then used pb blaster for days to try and get it to unseize!
I was then able to hammer the main retaining pin from where the spare wheel is located and eventually removed the hitch. I unfortunately didn't photograph my journey but I spent a lot of time pulling the internals out and working to cleanup corrosion, I recall it being a challenge but eventually and with lots of grease I got it back to smooth operation. You will be dealing with three different shafts; two horizontal (one of which is the one removed above) and one vertical along with a ball bearing. I'm sorry that my memory is vague on this. One other thing, when it's working; you need to pull the knob towards the passenger side to get the final portion of rotation and therefore main pin retraction to actually get the hitch to withdrawal (it's hard to explain so sorry this description is not great!). Good luck.
CRYA
Full Access Member
This vid might also help with a general understanding of how the whole thing works etc., if you didn't already have it.
CRYA
Full Access Member
Actually bingo, they did a video just for your situation:
That second video is really superb, thanks for finding those. Here's the tool they mentioned:
I'd really like to replace the main shaft that engages the chassis but can't find that part, if anyone knows where to find one I'd be very grateful...
I'd really like to replace the main shaft that engages the chassis but can't find that part, if anyone knows where to find one I'd be very grateful...
txfromwi
Full Access Member
I strongly second the advice from CRYA, excellent videos and excellent kits.
Make sure you order the correct kit as there are 2 hitch variants.
My hitch was damaged when I bought the truck used.
You can cut the plastic bits until you can get it apart and then rebuilt as per the videos.
I followed that with an adjustable height hitch from Rino USA. Very Nice.
Make sure you order the correct kit as there are 2 hitch variants.
My hitch was damaged when I bought the truck used.
You can cut the plastic bits until you can get it apart and then rebuilt as per the videos.
I followed that with an adjustable height hitch from Rino USA. Very Nice.
Land Rover Joe
Full Access Member
Thanks for everyone's great inputs and advice!
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned and now I have the attached photo - a broken red gear.
You can also see in the other photo how corroded everything is under there - we actually had to clean and paint everything to freshen it up; the corrosion has gotten a little excessive.
Fault is entirely ours...we got carried away with persuading the plastic knob and just broke the thing off.
Which worked...but we also broke the red gear / cog.
Would have been easier to saw it off (but we didn't have a hacksaw at the moment).
Would anyone happen to know where one could purchase a new one (this red cog and hopefully new fasteners) perchance?
Oops................
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned and now I have the attached photo - a broken red gear.
You can also see in the other photo how corroded everything is under there - we actually had to clean and paint everything to freshen it up; the corrosion has gotten a little excessive.
Fault is entirely ours...we got carried away with persuading the plastic knob and just broke the thing off.
Which worked...but we also broke the red gear / cog.
Would have been easier to saw it off (but we didn't have a hacksaw at the moment).
Would anyone happen to know where one could purchase a new one (this red cog and hopefully new fasteners) perchance?
Oops................
Attachments
txfromwi
Full Access Member
Those folks in the UK that made the videos provided above sell the repair kits.
There are two versions - make sure you order the correct one - details are in the videos.
There are two versions - make sure you order the correct one - details are in the videos.
powershift
Full Access Member
I don't think I'd put another one in there after what happened.
Land Rover Joe
Full Access Member
Tribe,
Update for this project:
I ordered the part needed to proceed, the "tow hitch ratchet cog repair kit" from the only supplier I can seem to find, which is powerfuluk:
https://www.powerfuluk.com/products...pGqJoqWeYpQBNBfRlZuMfvabALB59IhGT9KCwiIdZxHLN
Unfortunately, this is yet another part powerfuluk refused my purchase because it appears they don't like me, and in any case won't sell to me (I tried this time direct sales through eBay rather than their website, which they insisted I use the last time, but they this time again denied my purchase and after taking my money, refunded the charges in full; screenshot attached).
So yet another terrible customer experience and I simply cannot recommend https://www.powerfuluk.com/ to anyone and am even a bit ashamed I had to go to them in the first place (after my last run-in with them). Perhaps they simply hate Americans or sending things to America.... Or just me.
Funny how business works, or doesn't.
Since www.powerfuluk.com is the only supplier I know of who make this part, my OEM trailer hitch rebuild project is now officially over (unless someone has this part or knows of where I could get it).
And as @powershift recommends - I will soon be in the market for an improved aftermarket hitch receiver - suggestions most welcome!
So on the other hand...perhaps I should instead thank www.powerfuluk.com for being so unhelpful so I could ditch some stuff which I could get better elsewhere in the end!
Update for this project:
I ordered the part needed to proceed, the "tow hitch ratchet cog repair kit" from the only supplier I can seem to find, which is powerfuluk:
https://www.powerfuluk.com/products...pGqJoqWeYpQBNBfRlZuMfvabALB59IhGT9KCwiIdZxHLN
Unfortunately, this is yet another part powerfuluk refused my purchase because it appears they don't like me, and in any case won't sell to me (I tried this time direct sales through eBay rather than their website, which they insisted I use the last time, but they this time again denied my purchase and after taking my money, refunded the charges in full; screenshot attached).
So yet another terrible customer experience and I simply cannot recommend https://www.powerfuluk.com/ to anyone and am even a bit ashamed I had to go to them in the first place (after my last run-in with them). Perhaps they simply hate Americans or sending things to America.... Or just me.
Funny how business works, or doesn't.
Since www.powerfuluk.com is the only supplier I know of who make this part, my OEM trailer hitch rebuild project is now officially over (unless someone has this part or knows of where I could get it).
And as @powershift recommends - I will soon be in the market for an improved aftermarket hitch receiver - suggestions most welcome!
So on the other hand...perhaps I should instead thank www.powerfuluk.com for being so unhelpful so I could ditch some stuff which I could get better elsewhere in the end!
Attachments
Last edited:
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