I noticed my hitch squeaking incredibly loud on my 2012 FIt this evening and went to look under my car and wiggle it and noticed the whole trunk pan area moving. It is bolted tight to the hitch and it isn't squeaking from that. I did not remove the plastic piece that was covering it since its dark now.

Has this happened to anyone else? I imagine it being a welded piece which is now busted. I loosened the bolt and tightened it to have the same amount of squeakiness.

I'm sure if I take off the rack off itself it won't wiggle, but its the strain from the hitch rack itself, not the hitch.


I'm referencing the bottom two bolts in the middle of the car.

 

Well, since no one has any idea on how to handle this, or I was the first this has ever happened to, I took it upon myself to try and figure out a solution. Not even sure people visit this anymore, but maybe someone will find it useful!

I ended up loosening up the rack and removed the broken piece.

weak.

I took out my spare and lined up the rack the best I could and took the longest drill bit I could find and drilled two holes into the pan.

Looks completely off center but it is as good as it gets.

Plan is to get some longer bolts, maybe 4 inches long and reuse the nuts on the inside of the trunk area. Looks like I may not be able to keep the spare tire hold down, but we will see.

Plan to run to Home Depot tonight for the hardware.

 

I know this post has been inactive for about a year, but I started noticing weird noises coming from my hitch, too. I took a look under my car, and the exact same thing happened to my 2012 fit.

 

I have the same issue. Was driving my bikes around on a hitch mounted bike rack and heard a noise that sounded like screw threads were being drug across a sheet metal edge and though a hitch fastener was about loose. Investigation yielded tight bolts and an awful noise coming from the front of the hitch mount. Put my car on a (fork) lift and basically just pulled the bracket off with my hands. I have corrosion on the forward left tab similar to the photo provided by pearl, indicating that tab failed first. I have photos of my bracket and a drawing I made to re-manufacture the bracket. However, The photos stop uploading at 50%. Sigh... Will try to upload after I post.

 

I'm necro-ing this post as my 2011 Fit had the exact same failure with the exact same hitch today.

Anyone still out there that has a suggested solution to this problem? (in addition to the good input on this thread) Part of me wants to just pay someone to tack weld the box back on, part of me wants to drill holes and avoid the welding.

 

Well, here is my solution for anyone in the future that stumbles upon this problem.

Drill out the 4 spot welds with a 1/4in drill bit. Get 4 grade 8 3 1/2in length, 1/4in dia bolts, 4 washers, and two lock nuts.

Bolt the bracket back on, drive on.

 

Nice! Did you use 4 bolts? Pic looks like just 2 long ones extending thru the beam?

 

Typo on my part. 2 bolts- not 4. I just did a pass though with them. I don’t see how you could do 4 bolts and get in the metal box to tighten them.

Don’t tighten them too tight or you’ll crush the box- just past snug.

 

Got it - Much appreciated!

 

Done. My part was pretty rusted and brittle at one corner, so sent an extra bolt for good measure. No more rattles.