Penetrating fluid acts as a lubricant that works well for eating through rusted metal. Apply a little penetrating fluid every day if you aren’t able to pull your hitch out right away. That way, it will loosen up and be easier to remove with other methods too.
Be careful on your backswing so you don’t accidentally hit or damage your vehicle. If you’re able to get underneath your vehicle, check if the back of the receiver is hollow. If it is, fit a pipe in the hole and tap it with your hammer to push the hitch out. You may need to remove the spare tire if it’s kept underneath your vehicle.
You can also use a chisel-shaped bit on your air hammer. Put the edge of the chisel bit between the hitch and the receiver and turn it on to cut through the corroded metal.
Wear safety glasses and work gloves while you’re working to protect yourself from sharp metal shrapnel. Heat the rusted metal with a blow torch to make it easier to remove. Wear safety glasses and work gloves, and only point the flame at the hitch so you don’t damage any part of your vehicle. Pull the hot metal out with pliers or tap it out with a chisel.
You could also try soaking the entire hitch in vinegar to eat away at the rust. [7] X Research source If the hitch is attached to your vehicle, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and tie it around the hitch ball.
Try sliding a pipe over the handle of the wrench to add additional length so you can get even more leverage. If the trailer ball spins when you turn the wrench, grip it with a second wrench and turn it in the opposite direction.
Since heat makes metal expand, the blow torch helps loosen the nut from the threading on the ball.
Remove the hitch mount from the receiver if you can so you don’t have to cut the ball off while it’s attached to your vehicle.
