Tow Hitch, Fixed

Tow hitch, fixed

INTRODUCTION
- NOTE! Read through the whole installation instruction before starting the work.
- The illustrations display the procedure in order of operation. The order of operation is repeated in the text

Tow hitch, fixed

Note! Some steps in these installation instructions are presented with illustration only.

Applies to cars with skid plate

- Drill out the four rivets at the lower edge of the skid plate. Drill carefully so that the holes in the skid plate and bumper cover are not enlarged. Use a - 6 mm (15/64") drill bit.
- Remove any swarf and rivet residue.

- Slid the skid plate up and unhook it from the five holder (1) hooks at the upper edge.

Note! Handle the skid plate with care and beware of painted surfaces.

Applies to all models

Note! Two people should carry out the following procedure.

A
- Unhook the end of the bumper cover at the front edge from the catches on both sides.
- Carefully pull off the ends of the bumper cover until the catches at the rear edge, at the rear fender and under the tail lamp, release.
- Pull the bumper cover backwards.

B
- Disconnect the connectors under the right-hand tail lamp. The catch is underneath.

Note! Applies to cars with parking assistance.

Applies to cars with single end pipe

- Disconnect the front rubber mounting from the car body.

Applies to cars with twin end pipe

- Disconnect the front rubber mounting from the car body.

- Disconnect the middle rubber mounting from the car body.

Applies to all models

- Remove the screws from the exhaust system's rear rubber mountings and lower the silencer until it bottoms out.

- Twist the rear rubber mountings downwards.

- Remove the screws and then the clips at the rear edge of the heat shield.

- Remove the clips that hold the heat shield to the body.

- Pull out the heat shield.

- Remove the covers from the inside of the side members, on both sides.

- Thoroughly clean away splashes of underseal, putty or dirt from the plate surfaces on the insides of the side members where the reinforcements shall be located.

- Check that the mating surfaces inside the side members are clean. If necessary, clean opposite where the towing member is to be tightened.
- Take the towing member from the kit and insert the two side plates in the holes at the rear edge of the side members.

- Take screws and the reinforcement bar from the kit. To maintain and adjust the position on the towing member two people should work together when the screws are entered into the weld nuts of the towing member.

Note! Ensure that the reinforcement bar is positioned correctly, according to the image.

- Tighten the screws alternately on both sides.

Tightening the screw joint

Torque tighten the screws to 140 Nm (103 lbf.ft.) and angle tighten to till 60°. When angle tightening joints in tight spaces, a protractor applied to a torque wrench cannot be used. Use instead a Hex screw head to determine the tightening angle. Use workshop lift part no. 9985972 and fixture part no. 9995972 under the silencer to position it for easier access.
- Mark the screw head flange (1).
- Make a second mark (2) in the side member or reinforcement bar.
- Tighten the screw so that the screw head marking (1) lines up with the marking (2) on the side member/reinforcement bar.
- Repeat for all screws.

- Spray/brush thicker rust proofing agent onto the marked surface on the heat shield to remove the metallic shine in the middle of the bumper cover's cut-out

- Refit the mountings for the silencers and torque tighten the screws to 50 Nm (37 lbf. ft.).

Applies to cars with single end pipe

Applies to cars with twin end pipe

Applies to all models

- Apply low viscosity rustproofing agent to the marked bare sheet surfaces on both sides of the collision member as well as to the rear edge of the rear side members on the right and left hand sides.

- Install the connector bracket on the tow hitch. Do not tighten yet.

- Apply tape to the outside of the bumper cover, against the markings on the inside. This is done to protect the paint from the saw when cutting out the cut-out for the towbar.
- Saw according to the markings. The shaded surface is to be removed.

Note! Do not damage the painted surface of the bumper cover. Cut so that the raised edge on the inside remains. The raised edge marks the cut-out.

- Remove the tape.
- Smooth off the sawn edges with a fine toothed file.
- Install the tow hitch connector with the cable harness according to the appropriate installation instructions.

Applies to cars with skid plate

- Tape the skid plate on the outside opposite where it is to be sawed to prevent the saw foot from damaging the paintwork.

Note! Do not damage the painted surface of the skid plate. Cut so that the raised edge on the inside remains. The raised edge marks the cut-out.

- Saw according to the markings. The shaded surface is to be removed.
- Remove the tape.
- Smooth off the sawn edges with a fine toothed file.
- Install the tow hitch connector with the cable harness according to the appropriate installation instructions.

Applies to all models

A

Note! This procedure should be performed by two people.

B

Applies to cars without skid plate

Applies to cars with skid plate

- Hook the skid plate onto the holder and press until all hooks engage.

B

Hint: The mounting strip on the skid plate can be bent out slightly if it is difficult to hook onto the holder. According to image B.

- Rivet the lower section of the skid plate at the bumper cover using pop rivets.

Applies to all models

- Align the bracket with the connector so that it is straight. Ensure that it does not catch on the bumper cover/skid plate or that the cable does not chafe on the skid plate/bumper cover.
- Tighten and torque tighten screws/nuts to 24 Nm (18 lbf.ft.).
- Tighten the cable tie around the hook.