I am going to be removing a trailer hitch from a Cherokee Xj...tomorrow What size are the nuts usually? What tools will i need to remove it?

 

If they are the stock ones they should be 18mm. Make sure you have a big breaker bar. Those things get stuck after being on so long.

 

Moved to OEM Tech.

 

thanks for the move my bad... ok 18 mm

 

Ok so I also picked up an oem hitch from the jy and opted not to keep the bolts, I'd rather get brand new hardware. I've also done some searching for the correct bolt size and its never been clearly answered. I have access to bolts at work so I brought home a few to choose from. The bolt that fit properly was an M12. Above someone answered with "18mm" which would be the size of the hex head not the actual threads. I also recommend using grade 10.9 bolts instead of using grade 8.8. I would also suggest getting an M12 thread tap to clean out the threads of any rust prior to installation.

 

Also, not all bolts are the same. Some might require an 18mm socket and some might need a 19mm for removal and installation

Edit. If you decide to use aftermarket nut strips like those made by JCR, they upgrade the bolts to 1/2" though they don't specify the thread count of the nuts but I'll assume rhett are a 1/2"x13.

 

Mine had 18mm on pass side and 21mm on the drivers side. I'm just guessing the idiots at uhaul did the drivers side

 

mine was all 18s both sides factory hitch

 

Those are just the sizes of the socket you used to pull them off not the actual bolt size

Bolts are measured by the threaded shaft portion not the hex head size.

 

Scored my mounting hardware at work. They are M12 40mm in length with a 1.75 thread pitch and have an 18mm hex head grade 10.9. Was only able to get 6 of them so I'll just hit up Grainger for the other two.

Found this website. Might be helpful to you guys that aren't sure how to size your bolts correctly.

http://home.jtan.com/~joe/KIAT/kiat_2.htm

 

The other thing you might encounter is the keepers that hold the bolts in the uni body frame sometimes slip and spin. That leaves alot to be desired.

 

Don't the factory nut strips come out? I can always stick a tack weld on them

 

Mine was put in by U-haul by the previous owner. Mine just wound up spinning. A real pain in the