Installation of a Trailer Hitch on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class - etrailer.com HD

http://www.etrailer.com/p-75087.html Today on our 2003 Mercedes M Class, specifically the ML 350, well be installing the Draw-Tite Hitch, part number 75087. This is what our hitch look will like once its installed. Next, well go ahead and give you a couple of measurements to assist you in selecting accessories for new hitch. The center of the hitch pinhole is even with even for when the outside, most edge at the bumper and tape of the receiver tube is 17-1/2 inches from the ground. This will assist you in selecting accessories such a draw bar, a bike rack, or a cargo carrier. Now, lets go ahead with the insulation. Note, weve already gone ahead and removed the spare tire and this will make it easier to access the inside frame support brackets. Our first step is going to be removing the fascia doors. There are a total of three doors to remove. We got the center one where our hitch will be installed, then one on either side to remove fasteners. Now, with our fascia doors removed, we can go ahead and remove the four fasteners that are uncovered by removing these doors. Now with those removed, pull on the bumper fascia near the wheel wells and pop him free, and then we can go ahead and remove the bumper. Be careful, some applications as this one, having the antenna built into the bumper. You may know need to go ahead and loosen this to give yourself enough slack to set the bumper aside. Now with the bumper out of the way, you can see that it exposes the four weld nuts in the bumper frame. Before we install our hardware, were going to go ahead and clean these weld nuts out using a 1/2-inch nylon tube brush, part number 814092 and some spray lubricant. Well go ahead and clean up the treads. A quick tech tip: I recommend to take one of the new fasteners and go ahead and tread it in to make sure they go nice and smoothly. Now with that done, were ready to go ahead and install the hitch. Well be using a new 14-mm fastener and lock washer along with a hardened steel washer. The steel washer will get sandwiched between the hitch and the frame. Lets go ahead and install it now. Weve got a total of four fasteners. With that done, we can go ahead and tighten them down. Next, were going to go ahead and install the frame support brackets. Theres one on the driver and one on the passengers side and a total of four fasteners for each. There are three ACE fasteners that well be using two, three ACE conical toothed washers, three flat washers, and one nut. The three ACE bolt and conical toothed washer will feed from the outside of the bumper to the inside. Then well slide on three flat washers to compensate for the difference in the frame and then we can put our bracket in position. With the three ACE bolts and washers in place, we can now go ahead and install the support bracket. Be careful not to push your hardware back into the frame as you install the bracket. Now, well go ahead and slide on a conical toothed washer with the teeth of the washer facing the h