Spring1898
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2014
- Location
- US
Greetings all, I am trying to install a westfalia hitch and was looking at a couple threads here and read the almost "text only" and semi vague instructions. So I figured it would be best to check with those who have already installed one before I mess something up.
I am at the part where I actually bolt in the hitch via premade holes in the "boot" (trunk).
The hitch was bought used, and I acquired 6 new bolts based on this thread http://www.passatworld.com/forums/volkswagen-passat-b5-discussion/209445-westfalia-hitch-done.html
Which has a few pictures.
So, there are 4 holes/bolts that held in the original bumper. The 5 and 6 holes are factory unused and are further back represented by the black circle sticker in the picture below.
So if you had a top down view and the car is facing --> the bolt pattern is as follows
1 3 5
2 4 6
(insert picture not working so I am posting a link)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/b5_leadfoot/Westfalia/09-STOCKBOLTREMOVAL.jpg
The above 4 motion kit apparently uses all 6, whereas mine only uses 4 as that is what the instructions state.
The instructions appear to use slots 1, 2 and 5, 6 only for the non 4 motion installation.
Bolts 1-4 screw into threads already present. 5 and 6 have a kit-provided plate that they screw into, but when putting the bolts in those holes they hit something spongy and don't go through (just foam?)
Do I just force it through that and see where they come out underneath? It looks like they may be underneath additional covers that I may have to remove to see where they come through. But I was under the impression that no muffler covers/heat shields needed to be removed for the install from previous threads?
What is normally used to "secure the plates to keep them from rotating" when screwing in the bolts?
Since I have 6 bolts, does it hurt to just install all six?
And out of curiosity, why do I need to use bolt holes 5,6 if there are only 4 bolts installed? I know the instructions say to use those, so I will, but am wondering what the difference is using 5,6 vs 3,4?
I am at the part where I actually bolt in the hitch via premade holes in the "boot" (trunk).
The hitch was bought used, and I acquired 6 new bolts based on this thread http://www.passatworld.com/forums/volkswagen-passat-b5-discussion/209445-westfalia-hitch-done.html
Which has a few pictures.
So, there are 4 holes/bolts that held in the original bumper. The 5 and 6 holes are factory unused and are further back represented by the black circle sticker in the picture below.
So if you had a top down view and the car is facing --> the bolt pattern is as follows
1 3 5
2 4 6
(insert picture not working so I am posting a link)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/b5_leadfoot/Westfalia/09-STOCKBOLTREMOVAL.jpg
The above 4 motion kit apparently uses all 6, whereas mine only uses 4 as that is what the instructions state.
The instructions appear to use slots 1, 2 and 5, 6 only for the non 4 motion installation.
Bolts 1-4 screw into threads already present. 5 and 6 have a kit-provided plate that they screw into, but when putting the bolts in those holes they hit something spongy and don't go through (just foam?)
Do I just force it through that and see where they come out underneath? It looks like they may be underneath additional covers that I may have to remove to see where they come through. But I was under the impression that no muffler covers/heat shields needed to be removed for the install from previous threads?
What is normally used to "secure the plates to keep them from rotating" when screwing in the bolts?
Since I have 6 bolts, does it hurt to just install all six?
And out of curiosity, why do I need to use bolt holes 5,6 if there are only 4 bolts installed? I know the instructions say to use those, so I will, but am wondering what the difference is using 5,6 vs 3,4?
