Ball Loosened, Use Loctite?

proxim2020 wrote:
snip....

I normally place a wrench on the nut and slide

5ft pipe

over that. I then place another wrench on the ball's wrench flats and either have someone hold that one or block it to prevent the ball from turning. After that just pull tight. It's not hard to reach the high torque requirement when you take advantage of long levers. I've never had a ball loosen on me using this method.

Here are the potential laws of physics on using an extension arm without a means of measuring the amount of force that generates torque...

For discussion purposes...assume the wrench is about 12 inches long, or one foot long

Add in that five foot long handle extension and you will have a SIX foot lever arm on the wrench head, as proxim says..."It's not hard to reach the high torque requirement"

But...what is the ball's torque specification vs what is it actually torqued to???

Add that some folks turn the shank 90*. To then stand on the wrench that may have an extension on the handle

Two scenarios here

#1...pull with your arms and body on that wrench handle/extension. Think I can pull will all my might to about 150lbs for discussion purposes.

150 lbs x 6 ft = 900 ft/lbs...well over the typical 2 5/16" dia ball's typical 450 ft/lbs. Might even over tighten enough to stretch the ball's shank past plastic and into yield. That would explain it coming loose...again and again...it no longer has the tensile strength to hold that amount of torque

#2...standing on the wrench when the shank has been turned 90*.

I weigh in at about 180 lbs...

180 lbs x 6 ft = 1,080 ft/lbs if I just stand on it...if I 'jumped' on it...there will be a multiplier and for discussion purposes...say 2 times. That would mean it now has about 2,160 ft/lbs of torque on that nut/shank.

Really not that silly. I've seen it done both on automotive and in industry and had had to repair them

If needed...borrow/rent/etc a torque wrench rated for the torque your 2" ball needs

Am of the opinion that your neighbor over tightened that nut/shank and ruined it forever. It will NOT ever hold...even with a brand new "split' lock washer...sized for that nut/shank

Here are some links to sites that list tow ball sizes and their 'typical' torque requirements


Reese Ball specifiations


Draw-Tite ball specifications


eTrailer ball specifications


eTrailer Expert site for questions and answers


{edit}...forgot to touch on what the OP is towing with this 2" dia ball...take a look as his link to his son's business and the truck/kitchen/refrig/etc it holds/carries/etc...it is NOT a small pickup...but a custom flat-bed truck. On this...think a 2" dia ball is undersized...but many will use the derogatory 'Weight Police'...of which I proudly wear...as my comments are normally on the conservative side...as I have to sleep on what I've posted/said...

http://www.pizzarita.org/_nuxt/img/truck.8664c3c.png

PPS...a VERY COOL setup and if out here in my neck of the woods...would love to hire for a party/event

http://www.pizzarita.org/