How To Remove Rusted Trailer Hitch Ball - Step By Step Guide

Keeping your trailer hitch ball mount on the entire time might not actually be that good of an idea. If your hitch ball is really big, it can obscure your license plate on your tow vehicle, which could lead to you getting pulled over by the police, which is needlessly stressful.

Hitch balls are also regularly stolen, so if you don't have a hitch lock, your ball mount could be missing the next time you need it. A lock won't guarantee safety, though, so it's probably for the best to remove it when you don't need it.

Getting pulled over or having your hitch stolen are both pretty rare circumstances, but one thing that is extremely likely is exposure to the elements, AKA rust. If your hitch ball is rusted, the chance of it breaking off the next time you tow something heavy is much higher. And also, more wear means you're going to have to replace the hitch ball sooner than you normally would. Why spend that money when you don't have to?

While it might seem like a convenient approach, leaving the ball mount attached could actually slow your future towing plans if you don't take action to prevent rust - both on the trailer ball and on the hitch receiver, towing a travel trailer with a rusted trailer hitch ball mount could have dire consequences. A rusted ball mount could easily break, come loose, or cause unsafe towing.

But, let's say you have left the hitch ball on, and now it's gotten rusted; what do you do? Don't rush to a mechanic or angle grind it off completely just yet. Instead, try these steps on how to get a rusted trailer hitch ball off.

What will you need?

• A penetrating fluid - we recommend something like WD 40, BOESHIELD T-9, or Permatex.
• An air hammer or a rubber hammer
• A wrench

This is not going to be a quick fix; it's going to require time and patience. Brute force could end up doing more harm than good as it could break the ball or get it stuck in the receiver to the point where the whole unit needs replacing. To avoid that, follow the steps below, and remember that rust didn't develop in minutes, so don't expect it to take minutes to remove it.

Use the penetrating spray

Liberally apply the penetrating spray to the ball mount and spray around the hitch receiver tube; while spraying, make sure you get the spraying straw deep inside the hitch receiver's hole. You need to create as much fluidity as possible, as this will give you the best chance of actually removing it.

The reason you use a penetrating spray is that it chills the metal, which gives you the best chance of breaking the rust. This is one of the most effective ways to loosen the thread areas that have seized due to rust.

If you have the time for a gentler approach, you can also soak the hitch ball in vinegar overnight to help eat away the rust and free the ball mount. If it's attached to your car, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and tie it around the hitch ball. This is not a fool-proof method, however, and the vinegar could damage the paint coat on the rest of the hitch that is submerged.

Use the air hammer or a rubber mallet

First, gently tap all around the hitch receiver; this will loosen whatever has been separated by the vinegar or penetrating spray.

Then begin tapping the bottom of the hitch receiver and finally the top area of the metal receiver. The most important part of this process is to hammer lightly; rusted metal is weakened and brittle and could break easily.

Hopefully, your hammering has started loosening the hitch ball by now; otherwise, more penetrating spray and patience will be required. Once it starts loosening, you can grab hold of it and pull; if it is loose enough, then it should just slide right out. If it doesn't, then you might have to use a wrench.

Use a wrench

If the ball nut of the ball hitch has become rusted and stuck, you'll likely need a wrench. First off, lubricate the nut with your penetrating spray, like WD 40 or a similar product. After you've finished spraying, start trying to remove it with the wrench. Make sure to use the longest handle wrench, like a big pipe wrench, to ensure you have the most leverage, and turn counterclockwise.

It will gradually emerge. If this doesn't happen, which in some circumstances it might not, it may remain trapped inside. If that's the case, you'll have to get the spray again and try again. Adding a pipe to the end of the wrench can increase your leverage if you're struggling to move the nut. If the trailer ball spins when you turn the wrench, grip it with a second wrench and turn it in the opposite direction.

Final Thoughts

Those are some ways you can remove rust from your ball mount and get a stuck hitch ball off of your vehicle; hopefully, this helps you. But remember, it's much easier to prevent these issues than to remedy them. So always try to keep your hitches away from the elements when not in use and to maintain their quality with grease and lubrication.

This is going to have to be a gentle process, where progress is made in increments and will not be immediately visible.

Make sure to take the necessary steps to prevent the same problem in the future, and keep your trailer hitch and hitch receiver rust-free. Happy towing!

Resources used

https://hitchspecialist.com/how-to-remove-rusted-hitch-ball/

https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Rusted-Trailer-Hitch-Ball-Off

https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/removing-a-trailer-hitch-ball/

https://www.etrailer.com/question-69417.html

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