Put a locking hitch pin in, now it's stuck, any suggestions?

by **v7guy** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:07 am

I got a locking hitch pin a couple years ago, slapped it in,used it a few times and then forgot about it. It's stainless and has a cap for the locking mechanism. About three months ago I picked up a shackle mount that slides in the hitch and I tried to put it in but I couldn't get the key in the hitch pin. I thought it was kinda strange, but no big deal, sprayed it with some penetrating oil every day for a few days and eventually got the key to insert, but the damn thing wouldn't turn. So for the past two and a half months I continued to spray it down with penetrating oil, graphite, "lock unfreeze", acetone and ATF... basically everything known to man to unstick corroded metal.

At this point I'm ready to take off the bumper/hitch and use the O/A torch to cut off the damn thing. But being the diplomatic gentleman that I am I figured I would consult with the community first. Any suggestions before I bring down the blue torch of freedom?

by **chevycrew** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 5:14 am

I would just cut it off and be done.

by **JCrayton99** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:33 am

by **navigator** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:51 am

if you can get a little heat on it before you have to cut it off that might work.
I might try a cutoff wheel if you have one, might be less trouble.

by **NC_IslandRunner** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:15 am

If yours is like mine you push the end in to lock is have you tried pushing in while you try to turn the key. If so cut it off they a pretty cheap to replace.

by **The Roadie** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:29 am

I just can't get over the 2 1/2 MONTHS of tolerance you've already shown this ornery donkey of a car part. As they say, sack up and show it who's the boss! :viking:

by **boog2006** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:31 am

I just cut mine off...never buy one again

by **HARDTRAILZ** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:36 am

Cut it. I dont use the key ones just combo lock pins. Been good w them for several years

by **v7guy** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:56 pm

I'm a patient man lol. Guess I'll cut it off.

YouTube Videos · by **Trail X** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:03 pm

Vibration could help free it up.

A torch sounds like it might be a little tricky to use without collateral damage to the hitch. Mine, at least, is very tight to the hitch.

Mine gave me trouble recently - key turned after some oil added... but the locking balls had corroded in place. Took some penetrating lube and a prybar to get it off finally. Let it sit in some lube and it's working great now.

by **v7guy** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:42 pm

James, that was actually part of the reason I've been trying to use oil to get it apart. It'd be pretty easy to damage the hitch. I have doubts i could get in there with a grinder. I figured i might be able to get in there with a torch but the surrounding area is going to get awful hot at best. Any suggestions on how i could vibrate it? Air chisel?

Rory, it's one of those Master brand stainless hitch pins. They sell em everywhere.

by **boog2006** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:20 pm

I used a sawzall on mine

by **bartonmd** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:25 pm

I used a sawzall on the one on my truck, but the TB hitch location would be a little more sensitive to how the blade fits in there... Likely up through the chain ring would work...

Mike

YouTube Videos · by **Trail X** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:27 pm

v7guy wrote:Any suggestions on how i could vibrate it? Air chisel?

That's essentially what I was thinking. Just something to unstick whatever linkage is sticking in there. Not sure if it will work, but it's worth a try.

If you're going to destroy it, have you thought about drilling out the lock mechanism? Might be easier than cutting the pin.

by **NC_IslandRunner** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:31 pm

v7guy wrote:James, that was actually part of the reason I've been trying to use oil to get it apart. It'd be pretty easy to damage the hitch. I have doubts i could get in there with a grinder. I figured i might be able to get in there with a torch but the surrounding area is going to get awful hot at best. Any suggestions on how i could vibrate it? Air chisel?

Rory, it's one of those Master brand stainless hitch pins. They sell em everywhere.

Figured it was, this almost happened to me, since then I have kept mine well lubed.

by **v7guy** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:36 pm

JamesDowning wrote:
v7guy wrote:Any suggestions on how i could vibrate it? Air chisel?

That's essentially what I was thinking. Just something to unstick whatever linkage is sticking in there. Not sure if it will work, but it's worth a try.

If you're going to destroy it, have you thought about drilling out the lock mechanism? Might be easier than cutting the pin.

I thought about it briefly but I figured there were hardened steel parts in there and was worried I'd just break a drill bit. I'll give the air chisel a try, it's worth a shot.

by **HARDTRAILZ** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:52 pm

Actually locks are fairly easy to drill and usually pretty weak inside. We own storage sheds and my part-time gig is changing locks on foreclosed houses. Use a small bit to get a hole then use a bigger one to eat the guts out.

by **bartonmd** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:10 am

Actually, the hardest thing in a lock, material-wise is the springs. The keyway is usually brass, and the tumblers are usually a material like keys are made of, which is called nickle-silver, but contains neither nickle or silver. It's a copper-brass-something alloy, but is easy to drill.

Mike

Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys