i recently bought a new adjustable height weight distribution hitch and assembled as per the directions. the issue i have is that the head, even when the 5/8" bolts are torqued to 200 ft. lbs, still has some movement between the 2 pieces. it moves both up and down and side to side. it is a "Robin" brand (if that makes any difference)
is this movement normal? if not, would i be OK to grind some washers a little thin and put between the 2 halves? any suggestions? the bolts are grade 5 and i'm a little leary of tightening them any tighter.

Hey there hammer...

There should be no play in them at all, it there is you will hear and feel it all trip long...

I would either get some grade 8 bolts and tighten them up good, or try the shim washers...

If it were up to me though, the grade 8's would be choise...

well, i'm doing both. because even with grade 8 bolts, i'm still trying to squeeze 2 pieces of very thick metal together and it just ain't happening. so i stopped at the hardware this morning and got some washers and some new bolts. i'll let you know how it works

OK, i ground the washers a little thinner, but they were still ridiculously hard to even start, so i looked around the shop and spied the 50 ton press (insert Tim Taylor grunt). i gave it a little squeeze, and voila! i had to use the hammer to get them back together. torqued the new bolts and i'm good to go!
Thanks, Ranger

Glad to see it worked out for you...

I especially liked the 'Tim Taylor' grunt...