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Class II trailer hitch installed on my '08 Posted by MI-Roger [Email]  (#882) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from MI-Roger) on Thu, 14 May 2020 11:28:03
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I bought a Draw-Tite Class II hitch for my '08 9-5. Vendor catalogs say this device will not fit any 9-5's after the 2005 model year. However, all OG 9-5's from 1998 thru 2009 use the same rear under body sheet metal per the EPC. All mounting holes aligned.
Now for the bad news. I tried to install this myself in the driveway by following the Draw-Tite instructions. I was able to secure 3 of the 5 bolts. I lost the bolt and reinforcing plate for the Right-rear hole twice in the frame, was successful at extracting it both times without too much difficulty. I lost the bolt and reinforcing plate for the left rear hole in the frame too. This one was far more difficult to extract but I was eventually successful TWO days later!
After this I cried 'UNCLE' and took the car and hitch to a hitch installer. But only after I was first able to convince them the Draw-Tite catalog had an error of omission by not including the 2006 thru 2009 cars as valid fits for the hitch. I blamed it on slow sales of the factory accessory hitch which caused its cancellation and the hitch manufacturer to 'assume' there were rear underbody changes which were never communicated to their designers.
I believe the factory instructions make the job too difficult. If I were to do this job again, and if my drill press was operational, I would install the three tricky bolts before I loosely fitted the hitch to the rear under body. The instructions say to loosely fit the hitch first. The second change would be to cross drill the three Grade 5 bolts near the tip (hence the drill press) so a thin steel pulling wire could be routed thru the hole for a more secure grip to the bolt. Trying to wrap fine wire around the threads was simply not strong enough. I would also fashion some type of temporary 'hair pin' to the bolt after it was installed in the frame holes so it would not disappear when I and a second person worked together to place the hitch and start threading the nuts onto the bolts.
Only took the Pros an hour. Experience and tools make a huge difference.
->Posting last edited on Thu, 14 May 2020 12:35:51.
_______________________________________ Saabs owned: 2008 9-5 Aero Sedan, sold at 227K miles 2006 9-3SC 2.0T - Wife's daily driver 2000 Viggen Convertible - Sold May, 2022 1964 Quantum IV Formula Car - Retirement project 2000 9-5lpt Sedan, sold at 318K miles
, Thu, 14 May 2020 11:28:03 <-- Viewing This Message, Fri, 15 May 2020 03:39:24
, Fri, 15 May 2020 10:21:14, Fri, 15 May 2020 12:31:20, Fri, 15 May 2020 14:22:02, Fri, 15 May 2020 14:22:00, Fri, 15 May 2020 08:31:12, Tue, 19 May 2020 16:09:53
, Fri, 15 May 2020 11:11:46, Thu, 14 May 2020 13:50:07, Thu, 14 May 2020 15:08:12, Fri, 15 May 2020 11:13:07, Sat, 16 May 2020 04:04:11
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