Another tow bar thread

[braindamage]

I've had a quick search through the many tow bar threads, but have been unable to find the answer to my questions, so hoped some knowledgeable people on here could help.

I recently bought a second hand tow bar for my volvo 240, unfortunately it came with no instructions and no bolts. I've jacked the car up and located the appropriate holes that i need to fix to, 3 on each side, 6 in total. Two which appear to be threaded or have a captive nut and then one nearer the front of the car which is a large hole that something appears to be bolted to inside the chassis leg.

Does anyone know the size/thread pitch of the bolts that go into the threaded section?

And does anyone know the size/thread pitch of the larger bolt, along with the required length and how that one is supposed to attach?


Thanks for any and all help.

[Clifford Pope]

The large bolts go all the way through the chassis members - look inside the recessed hole inside the boot locker. The part you can see is the end of the bumper support fitting. You just leave that, undo the bolt, and replace with a longer bolt that also secures the tow bar.
I've no idea what size it is, but it's the same as any other similar bolts on the Volvo - perhaps the front crossmember bolts?

Likewise the four smaller threaded holes at the back - a pretty standard size for the car. I've always just rummaged around in my boxes of dismantled bits - not much use I know if you haven't any.

[braindamage]

I do have a box of bolts, but they are a complete mishmash, and i doubt i will be able to find four that match, was hoping to just order some nice new ones.

The bolt through the floor should be easy enough to figure out the size and thread pitch then, that's good. I can order two new longer ones and then just secure with a nut and washer on the bottom of the tow bar plate.

Just got to try and figure out the other two. The frame, and in turn the thread in the holes, is covered in under seal and grime so i really was hoping to know the correct size before i shove an incorrect thread pitch in there and botch everything up, i imagine even with the correct pitch it will have to re-cut the thread through all the muck.

[Clifford Pope]

Originally Posted by braindamage

i imagine even with the correct pitch it will have to re-cut the thread through all the muck.

If you can poke enough thread clear and find a bolt that fits it you can
then make your own re-tapping tool just by cutting some grooves across the threads with a hacksaw.