slop in factory hitch receiver?

dgeist · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 2:29 pm

So, I've had this condition since I bought the jeep more than a year ago, but it's never bothered me all that much, but I'm wondering: Should my ball mount wiggle around and constantly squeak when in use with the factory tow package? I've never had as much slop in the joint with other vehicles as I do with the mopar unit. I don't want to have to replace it (cost and risk of it being just as bad). Can I just get a decent metal shop to weld a thin flange against the face with a more accurate 2" cutout?

Dan

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 2:50 pm

What brand of receiver are you using? Ive never had any trouble like that with my draw-tite hitch and Reese receiver.

The squeak could be coming from the ball and the trailer. Try putting alittle grease on it and see if that goes away.

dgeist · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:04 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

What brand of receiver are you using? Ive never had any trouble like that with my draw-tite hitch and Reese receiver.

The squeak could be coming from the ball and the trailer. Try putting alittle grease on it and see if that goes away.

It's the mopar unit from the factory tow package. The queaking will go away with grease (tried that before) but there's still a major clunk with every weight shift which gets better if I shove courogated cardboard in between the hitch receiver socket and the 2" hitch shaft. Perhaps the mopar units just have crappy QC. I can wiggle the mount around 2or3 mm and have been able to since it was new.

jeepskate · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:46 pm

Sounds like you need this:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0009871520365a&navCount=1&podId=0009871&parentId=cat20169&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat21412-cat20169&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20169&hasJS=true

bugnout · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:07 pm

Doesn't sound right, I've got the factory reciever and use a drawtite bar with very little slop.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:15 pm

Mine makes the "thud" if I hit a bump...

darn you, there is a Cabellas north of San Antonio... :wink:

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:23 pm

Mine does it with a Reese stinger.

dgeist · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:47 pm

jeepskate wrote:

Sounds like you need this:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0009871520365a&navCount=1&podId=0009871&parentId=cat20169&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat21412-cat20169&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20169&hasJS=true

Indeed. That's nearly exactly what I was looking for. I guess if it works out well, I can always weld it on later :wink:

spoonplugger1 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:29 pm

The easy thing to do is figure out where the slop is in the stinger, run a few beads over that area and resize it to what you want with a grinder. 15 minutes tops.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 7:36 pm

everyone that I have ever had made some noise, theres always a little slop to them, nothing to worry about just run it too much trouble in trying to add weld to it

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 9:43 pm

tommudd wrote:

everyone that I have ever had made some noise, theres always a little slop to them, nothing to worry about just run it too much trouble in trying to add weld to it

I'm with Tom,every hitch I've owned has some slop in it.They make them like that so that in a few years when they rust a little,you'll still be able to slide them in and out.You could spend a little time and money now to make a glove fit,but down the road you'll be cussing yourself when you can't get it in or out.

Ron

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

LiLredLibby wrote:

tommudd wrote:

everyone that I have ever had made some noise, theres always a little slop to them, nothing to worry about just run it too much trouble in trying to add weld to it

I'm with Tom,every hitch I've owned has some slop in it.They make them like that so that in a few years when they rust a little,you'll still be able to slide them in and out.You could spend a little time and money now to make a glove fit,but down the road you'll be cussing yourself when you can't get it in or out.

Ron

Mine does it too along with every hitch i've every owned or used. They are designed that way as LiLredLibby mentioned.

If it really bothers you put a little grease on the ball (quiets some squeeks). Then wrap the hitch with some electrical tape to snug up the fit.

RAYMAN975 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 11:20 pm

LiLredLibby wrote:

You could spend a little time and money now to make a glove fit,but down the road you'll be cussing yourself when you can't get it in or out.

sounds like a personal problem lmao just playin! couldnt resist haha

M&P40 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2007 11:46 pm

i used duck tape to fix mine, i know this sounds hillbilly but it made it much more quiet after the fact (and cheap too)

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:33 am

Mines been pretty loose as well. I'm using the Mopar Hitch and a Reese 2" drop receiver. Never really thought about it too much until I saw this thread.

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:38 pm

I had the opposite problem; My '03 spent the first 2 years in Toledo with an aftermarket hitch. I don't think it was used much b/c the first time I went to use it, I had to beat the ball mount in with a hammer due to the rust. I also chipped the bumper. Getting it out was just as fun. I eventually took it off and sandblasted it and painted it. All is well now, but keep an eye on the rust, especially if you plan on leaving your hitch in for long periods of time.

slikjr · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:36 am

agreed! Both my KJ's have done it. Not a big deal, but yeah, the duct tape would work. Easy fix! Save the $15 from Cabellas; although it is a good idea. Props for that.

I also like the lil' bead welds underneath and then grind to fit...but... sludge/mud/crap could potnetially jam it in there... I guess, if you're gonna use duct tape anyways... ah, screw it. Do what you gotta do, if it gets stuck in there, pull the pin, put a tow rope on it, anchor other end and away you go ahahah!! Now we're talking

slop in factory hitch receiver?

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