| TriumphDriver |
I just bought a '05 MDX Touring with NAV and purchased the towing, body side molding and fender flares accessories from Hondacuraworld. I just installed the trailer hitch part and I have a few tips to help those looking to do this.
1. I would plan to install the hitch first on one day and the transmission and power steering coolers on a second day. The hitch install in tiring and dirty (a lot of crawling under the vehicle). In additional, since I got a deep cut on my finger on the heat shield, I wanted to let my finger heal a few days before tackling the two coolers on the front of the MDX.
2. The instructions from Hondacuraworld's website (PDF form) were good. Make sure you print off a copy (look under the instructions section) because instructions did not come with the hitch.
3. Read the instruction from start to finish several times before starting and then look at the diagrams ( and the diagrams on the pages ahead of where you are) to make sure you are comfortable with what is being conveyed. I had to look ahead to compare the diagrams with what I was looking at in my car to get the prospective of where the wiring was to go under the rear cargo panel.
4. Use silicone spray on the two rubber "donuts" that hold each of the two mufflers to lower the mufflers down to install the hitch. The silicone spray makes it very easy.
5. Use gloves when working around the mufflers and the heat shield. The heat shield is very sharp and cut the **** out of my finger in a nanosecond.
6. If you are a motorcyclist and have a Torco (or similar make) motorcycle lift, this is a great way to lift the 45 lb. hitch for a one person install. You could also use a standard lift jack if you used a tie down to keep the hitch on the small area of the jack. The motorcycle lift works better.
7. Get all of the bolts ready by putting the lock washers and the flat washers on the bolts and place four bolts on the right and left side ready to go when you get the hitch up to the MDX to bolt in. Thread each bolt slowly by hand and then use the hand tools.
8. Use RV silicone caulk to add additional waterproofing to the two rubber plugs of the trailer wiring (one inside and one outside).:roadtrip: |
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| MDXHunter |
:eek:
Just installed a Draw-Tite hitch on my 2003 MDX w/ 50k miles.
First warning. A lot of rust builds up on the threads of the mounting holes. So before you buy the hitch buy some 3/4" bolts and see if you can thread them. I ended up have to WD-40 and brush out all 4 of the exposed holes. The other two had bolts in for the tow hitch, so they worked fine. Even if you have a newer model MDX and you are thinking about a hitch in the future go buy the bolts and put them in to protect the threads.
The hitch is cumbersome to mount. I used the MDX tire jack and raised up one side and bolted in, and then the other. Due to the rust I was having a difficult time tighten the bolts. All but one are fine. On the last bolt of the day the welded nut up in the frame broke off. Basically I think the weld gave way under the pressure of my tightening. So I have a bolt hanging loose right now. I will probably cut it off and try to insert a smaller molly-bolt. We'll see. Moral of the story, mount your hitch right away. |
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| JeffK |
Check prior threads where I had the same problem - rusting - when I installed my hitch from UHaul when my MDX had less than 10,000 miles and less than 1 year old.
Actually quite surprised at the amount of rust. You would think Acura/Honda would anticipate an installation at a later time and would have taken greater care with rust inhibitors.
JeffK |
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| KES |
| I used zip ties to hold the hitch in place. Use 4 zip ties - one per bolt hole to get the hitch in position. Cut one and install the bolt and then continue onto the next bolt. |
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| hammermdx |
quote:
Originally posted by KES
I used zip ties to hold the hitch in place. Use 4 zip ties - one per bolt hole to get the hitch in position. Cut one and install the bolt and then continue onto the next bolt.
Great idea, wish i had thought of that when I installed mine! |
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