LR4 Trailer Hitch Service / Rebuild

[Land Rover Joe]

I went to rebuild mine when I first got it because the grease had all dried out and it wasn't functioning right. Took it apart and a ball detent went flying.

Tossed it in the metal recycle bin and got the rhino ox hitch. I didn't like how low the factory setup was anyways.

No shame there @scapistron - this is definitely not in the "great design" category

When we got our LR4 it had the hitch, but not the key. You can drive the lock pin out with a punch while lying on your back from underneath.

Thanks @ftillier !

Very helpful -

 

[Longtrail]

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.

 

[CRYA]

This vid might also help with a general understanding of how the whole thing works etc., if you didn't already have it.

 

[CRYA]

Actually bingo, they did a video just for your situation:

 

[Longtrail]

That second video is really superb, thanks for finding those. Here's the tool they mentioned:

All Products

Land Rover / Range Rover Sport

landrader.com

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]

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.

 

[Land Rover Joe]

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................

 

[txfromwi]

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.