Bolts Failing on Equalizer Hitch

wgriswold wrote:
I have an Equalizer Hitch with 1400 lb bars. Today I replaced the third pair of bolts and nuts that attach the head to the shank They are grade 8, 3/4" in diameter and 5" long. The threads failed on the bolt and the nut had some damage but not as bad. The first time I had to cut off the failed bolt. This time I was able to get it off with lots of WD40.

The directions say to torque these bolts to 420 ft-lbs and I found a table that confirms this value. I do this by putting a socket and breaker bar on the nut and then a pipe over the breaker bar. I stand at 2 feet on the pipe and since I weigh 208 lbs that should be about the right torque.

So, why are my bolts failing? Has anyone else had this problem?

You are not following the directions as has already been posted and are over torquing those shank bolts by more than 30% and probably stretching them. The 420 to 430 lbs-ft torque is for the ball and is down in the 300 ft-lbs range for those shank bolts.

Larry