How to Install a Trailer Hitch on a 2008 Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 is a cross-over sport/utility vehicle that can tow a cargo trailer, camper or small utility trailer. The 2008 CX-9 came available with a factory towing preparation package that included a trailer hitch. If your CX-9 did not come with this option, don't worry. You can save quite a bit of money by doing this installation yourself. An aftermarket hitch can be installed using the factory holes in the frame, and no drilling is required.
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Things You'll Need
- 2 wheel chocks
- Safety goggles
- Socket set
- Torque wrench
- Helper (optional)
Instructions
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1
Apply the parking brake and chock the tires. Don a pair of safety goggles and slide under the rear of the vehicle. Locate the three factory-drilled holes at the rearward end of each frame rail. Note there are welded-in nuts in each hole for the hitch retaining bolts.
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2
Lift the hitch to the underside of the vehicle with the hitch mounting flanges inboard of each frame rail and the square receiver tube pointing towards the ground. Rotate the receiver tube upwards so that it is above the muffler and the heat shield. Note that the hitch may come into contact with the heat shield at this point of the installation.
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3
Slide the hitch back or forth as necessary to line up the three mounting holes in the hitch mounting flanges to the three welded-in nuts on the frame rails. Place washers over the hitch retaining bolts. Thread the bolts through the holes in the hitch mounting flanges and into the welded-in nuts on the frame loosely.
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4
Push the hitch rearward to clear the muffler heat shield, if necessary. Tighten the hitch retaining bolts with a socket and torque wrench to 75 foot-pounds.
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Tips & Warnings
Have a helper hold the hitch in position under the vehicle. This will make it easier to thread the hitch retaining bolts into the frame rails.
Hitch mounting bolts are made from high-grade steel. Using lower-grade bolts to replace missing hitch mounting bolts may cause the hitch to detach from the vehicle while in use, possibly causing an accident. Use only the bolts that came with the hitch installation hardware to mount the hitch. Get replacement bolts from the hitch manufacturer, if necessary.
Check the hitch retaining bolts before each use for the proper tightness
Do not use a hitch that has been bent or damaged, as this may weaken its structure.
