Tow ball nut

jade007 · Veteran Member

Tow ball nut

Greg 1 · Guru

33mm does the job nicely. Available from Sydney tools. There is an Imperial equivalent which is probably the true size but I cannot remember what it is, however I have the 33mm deep impact socket and that works a treat.

jade007 · Veteran Member

Thanks Greg 1

dogbox · Guru

www.bcf.com.au/p/hayman-reese-multi-fit-tow-ball-spanner/376686.html

try here for a start or a pipe wrench will do in a pinch

Dick0 · Guru

dogbox wrote:
www.bcf.com.au/p/hayman-reese-multi-fit-tow-ball-spanner/376686.html

try here for a start or a pipe wrench will do in a pinch

I use one like this, simples.

jade007 · Veteran Member

The multi fit spanner will not work on my towball tongue. No room. Mitso genuine towbar. Cheaper to buy a socket than replace the the tongue

-- Edited by jade007 on Monday 14th of April 2025 03:55:25 PM

Greg 1 · Guru

Socket and a rattle gun. Found the towball spanners not that good. You can also use a long knuckle bar with a socket. Shifters and pipe wrenches should always be the tools of last resort. First thing I was taught as an apprentice mechanic. Tool priority list. Sockets Ring spanners Open end spanners Shifters Hammer and cold chisel. Gas axe.

Peter_n_Margaret · Senior Member

An auto standard 50mm ball has an M22 shank. An M22 nut is 32mm across the flats.
Sounds like some of you are using imperial stuff?
Cheers,
Peter

rgren2 · Guru

I use this, either with rattle gun (preferred method) or a breaker bar.

jade007 · Veteran Member

Thank You all

boab · Senior Member

And somewhere near 250 nm of torque so should be pulled up with a 3/4 drive socket and a meter or so of leverage

rgren2 · Guru

boab wrote:
And somewhere near 250 nm of torque so should be pulled up with a 3/4 drive socket and a meter or so of leverage

How many ugger duggs is that. ;)

Greg 1 · Guru

Peter and Margret. None of the 50mm balls I have in my possession have a 32 mm nut across the flats. They all are 33mm. I tried both 32mm sockets and open end spanners and definitely too small. Measured with a vernier it is just a smidge under 33mm and a 33mm socket is perfect fit. Tried my mates tow ball same story.

jade007 · Veteran Member

Greg 1 wrote:
Peter and Margret. None of the 50mm balls I have in my possession have a 32 mm nut across the flats. They all are 33mm. I tried both 32mm sockets and open end spanners and definitely too small. Measured with a vernier it is just a smidge under 33mm and a 33mm socket is perfect fit. Tried my mates tow ball same story.

Yes I have a 32mm and it will not fit hence the question in the first place

StewG · Senior Member

My practice it to use a large shifter and pull until the split lock washer is fully compressed and then pull a smidgeon more until a crack is heard from the elbow - that equals about 250 nm. biggrin

I'd use my torque wrench if I had a suitable socket. The ball actually stays on its tongue and I swap tongues so don't have to remove and refit the Ball or DO-35 hitch.

Peter_n_Margaret · Senior Member

Greg 1 wrote:
Peter and Margret. None of the 50mm balls I have in my possession have a 32 mm nut across the flats. They all are 33mm. I tried both 32mm sockets and open end spanners and definitely too small. Measured with a vernier it is just a smidge under 33mm and a 33mm socket is perfect fit. Tried my mates tow ball same story.

Then they are 3/4" UNF, not M22.

Cheers,

Peter

rgren2 · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Greg 1 wrote:
Peter and Margret. None of the 50mm balls I have in my possession have a 32 mm nut across the flats. They all are 33mm. I tried both 32mm sockets and open end spanners and definitely too small. Measured with a vernier it is just a smidge under 33mm and a 33mm socket is perfect fit. Tried my mates tow ball same story.
Then they are 3/4" UNF, not M22.
Cheers,
Peter

Yes, M22 is far too small.

Brenda and Alan · Guru

Agree totally with Peter .

The imperial nuts are 1 1/4 inch AF, which equates to 32.999 mm.

Alan