Check for crack on rear tow hook, used to mount trailer hitch

[mctdi]

Check for crack on rear tow hook, used to mount trailer hitch. .

FYI for Golf owners with Reese # 77026 or Draw-Tite # 24679 as they are the same thing.

[/IMG]


Check hitch mount at rear tow hook. As cross bar of hitch, may cut into gusset of rear tow hook, and then start a crack, as looks to have happened on my 2004 Golf.

 

[McBrew]

So, you are saying that the installation of the hitch caused this? Good think you found that crack! If I end up getting a hitch, this is just one more reason to go Euro. Ever since I put a hitch on my Sprinter, I haven't had the urge to put one on my Golf... but I'd love to be able to tow a T@B trailer! I just need $14,000 for the trailer first.

 

[mctdi]

So, you are saying that the installation of the hitch caused this? Good think you found that crack! If I end up getting a hitch, this is just one more reason to go Euro. Ever since I put a hitch on my Sprinter, I haven't had the urge to put one on my Golf... but I'd love to be able to tow a T@B trailer! I just need $14,000 for the trailer first.

I'm thinking so. As the crossbar does not fit without doing something to the gusset.

With the Euro-hitch were do the chains go to?

Ben

 

[Brock_from_WI]

So where exactly is that crack? I will have to check mine since I heavy things, not often, but usually way to heavy.

 

[puter]

So where exactly is that crack? I will have to check mine since I heavy things, not often, but usually way to heavy.

You won't like to hear this, but if you ever sell your car you should disclose that.

 

[Bosley]

What were you towing?

 

[mctdi]

So where exactly is that crack? I will have to check mine since I heavy things, not often, but usually way to heavy.

The crack is in the rear tow hook/loop to the right side of the car.

 

[mctdi]

You won't like to hear this, but if you ever sell your car you should disclose that.

Very true. Needs to be done.

But by the time I do part with the car, it may be going to the junkyard.

 

[mctdi]

What were you towing?

My snowmobile, 400# trailer + 600#(?) snowmobile = 1000# ( tongue wt. of 165#).

Hitch is rated for 2000# with 200# tongue weight.

 

[paramedick]

One other thing. If your car is loaded on a flatbed wrecker, the drivers like to use the tow hook for a tiedown. Don't let them. The 03 Golf had the tow hook broken and straightened by this method.

 

[Doug Huffman]

That looks more like a bad weld than a crack. See the radiused edges and end.

 

[mctdi]

That looks more like a bad weld than a crack. See the radiused edges and end.

The picture above, is not the best, and is on a bad angle. There is sheet metal wrapped around a metal ring to make the tow hook/ring. The lumpy stuff is rust proofing goop. What I am calling the crack, does go from the hook/ring OD through to the ID.

I'm not sure what weld you are pointing out? Here is a second picture that shows the inside, of the orther side, of the hook/ring.

[/IMG]

 

[NarfBLAST]

mctdi, Thanks for the heads up! I ran outside and checked as soon as I got your pm and I think I found a tiny crack starting. The hitch is mounted at three other points and it looks like the other side did not break on your tow ring so I am not too worried, but will have to keep an eye on it. Thanks again.

How did you repair it?

Fyi, here is a .pdf with details of my hitch: hitch

 

[mctdi]

mctdi, Thanks for the heads up! I ran outside and checked as soon as I got your pm and I think I found a tiny crack starting. The hitch is mounted at three other points and it looks like the other side did not break on your tow ring so I am not too worried, but will have to keep an eye on it. Thanks again.

How did you repair it?

Fyi, here is a .pdf with details of my hitch: hitch

My hitch mounts just like your's does. Only one side of the tow ring had cracked, and all the way through. I saw the crack when I was rotating the tires.

I will see about posting a picture of the fix I did.

 

[NarfBLAST]

Here are my pictures, I sprayed everything with rubberized undercoating last year, but you can see the possible "crack" on mine in the same area where yours sheared through. I think this may just be the "edge" of the gusset which has a little rust. These pictures are a good point of reference anyway, if I see that little line of rust progress down through the lower half of the tow hook which should be solid metal then I will do something about it, but right now I am pretty sure it is just the edge of the gusset showing some surface rust.

Drivers side (inside) looks perfect:

Passenger side (outside) with flash:

Passenger side (outside) without flash:

 

[mctdi]

Here is the fix I did for the hitch.

 

[NarfBLAST]

Holy crap, nice fix!

 

[mctdi]

NarfBLAST

You may want to scrape the paint/coating off of the area by the crack, to see if it is longer then it shows now.