Hitch problem: bolts don't fit

vibebitions · Post by **vibebitions** » Tue May 25, 2004 10:19 pm

I just tried to attach a Hidden Hitch. However, the bolts do not hand tighten at all. I called up Hidden Hitch and was told the bolt size is 12mm x 40mm with a 1.25 mm thread pitch. I went to the hardware store and they confirmed the bolts were the correct size. I called my dealer and asked if he knew what size the hitch bolt holes were on my vibe (2003 GT). They didn't know and didn't know who at Pontiac I could call. I see that others have installed the hidden hitch. Does anyone know where I can confirm the official size of the bolt holes? Also, any ideas why these bolts don't fit? I tried WD40, without success.ThanksAlan

m4VibeGT · Post by **m4VibeGT** » Tue May 25, 2004 11:05 pm

If you had the car for a while now and just putting in the hitch, you probably has rusted threads. You will need to tap the threads to clean them out. I would suggest going to your nearest Pepboys and getting the correct tap size (probably less than $15 - I could not find the right metric size at either Home Depot or Sears when I needed one). Use plenty of lubrication like machine oil when using the tap.

vibebitions · Post by **vibebitions** » Wed May 26, 2004 6:27 am

While I don't think it is rust (I cleaned it out and none of the 4 bolts screw in), the problem I am encountering is trying to find out from Pontiac what size the bolt holes are.You would think that would be an easy to find thing for a dealer, but they apparently don't have a clue as to who to call at Pontiac.

ullbergm · Post by **ullbergm** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 7:34 am

Did you ever get an answer on this question? I'm trying to fabricate a mount to go in those holes.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:30 am

I've been looking for a while, and have yet to find a place that sells 12mm bolts with 1.25 mm pitch threads. Found some 1.75 mm thread ones, but didn't buy them. Not much of a metric bolt supply around here

ullbergm · Post by **ullbergm** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:54 am

Quote, originally posted by joatmon Â»I've been looking for a while, andd have yet to find a place that sells 12mm bolts with 1.25 mm putch threads. Found some 1.75 mm thread ones, but didn't buy them. Not much of a metric bolt supply around hereso the hitch doesnt come with bolts?I recently got some 1.75 and they definately dont fit..

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 11:19 am

I don't have a hitch, it should come with bolts, but I was looking for a way to tie something big to the roof, and there isn't a good tie off point in the back, so I thought I would try to bolt something into those holes to give me an anchor, but can't find the bolts. Maybe I'll order a hitch for the next time. and I had a bunch of typos in that post,

ullbergm · Post by **ullbergm** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 11:53 am

Quote, originally posted by joatmon Â»I don't have a hitch, it should come with bolts, but I was looking for a way to tie something big to the roof, and there isn't a good tie off point in the back, so I thought I would try to bolt something into those holes to give me an anchor, but can't find the bolts. Maybe I'll order a hitch for the next time. and I had a bunch of typos in that post, ahh, i see.FYI.. anything mechanical you want you can find at mcmaster-carr..they may not be the cheapest place, but they have pretty much anything you could ask for and then some..http://www.mcmaster.com/asp/enter.asp?pagenum=2968btw, i just ordered my hitch.. i'm mainly planning on using it for a pretty unusual thing.. i'm going to mount a ham radio antenna on it

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 12:21 pm

didn't seem to be able to find M12 1.25 pitch bolts at mcmaster-carr would you get an adequate ground plane for your antenna on a hitch? do you need a ground plane for that type of antenna?and vibebitions, ever get that hitch mounted?

ullbergm · Post by **ullbergm** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 1:06 pm

Quote, originally posted by joatmon Â»didn't seem to be able to find M12 1.25 pitch bolts at mcmaster-carr oops.. you are correct.. 1.25 must be something pretty unusual..Quote, originally posted by joatmon Â»would you get an adequate ground plane for your antenna on a hitch? do you need a ground plane for that type of antenna?I'm not sure, but i have seen other people mount their antennas on the hitch so i assume that they know what they are doing I have pretty much finished this model of antenna:http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/0004033.pdfAnd i'm planning on working on one of these when the mount.. err.. hitch comes in:http://www.qsl.net/oe3ycb/mobileantenna.html

ullbergm · Post by **ullbergm** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 1:09 am

Quote, originally posted by joatmon Â»didn't seem to be able to find M12 1.25 pitch bolts at mcmaster-carr Any luck finding those bolts? I'm going to need one or two..I got my hitch installed today and since i have a hole on each side left i can use that to attach a grounding strip to make sure the antenna i grounded. (i ordered some hamsticks to try it out with)

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 1:32 am

I did find some, and they were M12 1.25 pitch. The big hardware store chain didn't have them, but the smaller local (non-chain_ hardware store did. Ab out $3 US per bolt, I only needed two. They went in a couple of the holes fine, some others they offered great resistance. I think a couple of holes might be a bit rusty, I didn't try any penetrating oil on them before, that may have helped

ullbergm · Post by **ullbergm** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 1:37 am

Quote, originally posted by joatmon Â»I did find some, and they were M12 1.25 pitch. The big hardware store chain didn't have them, but the smaller local (non-chain_ hardware store did. Ab out $3 US per bolt, I only needed two. I have a friend that used to work at fastenal, but if he cant find me some i may hit you up on shipping me some. (if you dont mind..)

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 10:38 pm

Quote, originally posted by ullbergm Â»I have a friend that used to work at fastenal, but if he cant find me some i may hit you up on shipping me some. (if you dont mind..)Looks like they are available (at less $ than I paid) at boltdepot.com - http://www.boltdepot.com/produ...=1310EDIT - When I finally got a hitch and went to install it, the holes in the frame were really dirty and kinda rusty. I took an extra bolt and used a hacksaw to cut a couple of slots in the end to come up with a home made tap. Sprayed WD40 up there, ran the tap in and out of each of the holes, and when I went to put the real hitch bolts in there, the holes were so nice and clean I could spin the bolts in almost all the way by hand.

Attached files

ullbergm · Post by **ullbergm** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 10:35 pm

Quote, originally posted by joatmon Â»Looks like they are available (at less $ than I paid) at boltdepot.comCool, thanks.

Pump233ca · Post by **Pump233ca** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 10:03 am

My bolts were a wee bit tight so I ended up cleaning them out they were full of road grime and some rust....all but one went in relatively easy..the 4 th gave me some aches and scraped knuckles.

cythraul · Post by **cythraul** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 12:29 am

I confirm that the holes on my 2007 are M12 1.25mm.I got the Vibe this last May and just acquired a hitch. At first I was certain the guy who sold me the hitch gave me the wrong bolts as it looked like it would not fit.After some WD40 and a small wire brush I bought to clean batteries terminals and a lot of elbow grease, I was able to clean one of the holes sufficiently so I was able to screw the bolt by hand almost all the way.I was able to clean about one third of three other holes. Unfortunately, two of the holes are just on top of the exhaust and really difficult to clean.Unless someone has a better idea, I'm on the lookout for a M12 1.25 mm tap which is HARD to find locally. Home Depot does not carry taps (!?) and CT does not have M12 taps in size other then 1.75/1.5 unless you buy the full Maximum Mastercraft kit at 189$. Yeah, I'm in Canada (Montreal, Quebec actually). If wish I had one of those pepboys shops you always refer to.

SeattleJeremy · Post by **SeattleJeremy** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 7:32 am

Pepboys is kind of like the Automotive part of Canadian Tire. Did you try unbolting the Catback part of the exhaust to have better access to the bolt holes?

Vibewagen · Post by **Vibewagen** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:09 pm

To joatmon: many thank for the idea with the DIY tap tool!

Just got my hidden hitch mounted and it was fairly easy.
First tried to get a tap tool or 12x1.25 bolt from Home Depot and Lowes.
No luck at both places. Then went to ACE hardware and they had both.
Tap was around 7 bucks, bolt like 3-4. Decided to go with the bolt for two reasons:
1. Taps are sharper and there is a chance of messing up the thread big time
2. Bolt is more compact and I was worried about the left side where the exhaust pipe is

Used some WD40 as it was advised here and everything was very fast and easy.
It took some rust and road dirt I guess. The pic is after one hole. I cleaned the bolt after each one.

Thanks again vibers!

EDIT: Had to add the pic using the PC since I couldn't find how to attach it using my iphone.
Another thing I forgot: The guys at ACE were very helpful and they used a dremel tool to cut the slots for me.

Hitch problem: bolts don't fit

Hitch problem: bolts don't fit

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (vibebitions)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (m4VibeGT)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (vibebitions)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (vibebitions)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (joatmon)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (ullbergm)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (joatmon)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (ullbergm)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (joatmon)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (joatmon)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (ullbergm)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (joatmon)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (ullbergm)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (joatmon)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (vibebitions)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit (Pump233ca)

Re: Hitch problem: bolts don't fit