[JLCali]

I am installing a Draw Tite trailer hitch on my van—it’s the hidden hitch so I took the bumper off and bolted the hitch on. Now I’m trying to put the bumper back on and was able to get the bumper “key holes” over the new M10 bolts and washers (barely) but only one side of the bumper will actually slide down into the narrower keyhole slot. The other side appears to be off by a 1/4” so the bumper won’t slide down in place over the bolt. These are factory holes so I’m at a loss as to how I’m going to get this bumper back on!

 

[2011.2017.odyssey]

Thought you needed to modify the bumper slightly for these hidden hitches.

are you able to get the bumper corners over the plastic holders on each side of the quarter panels.

this is where you should start before trying to bolt things in place with the M10 bolts and body clips.
make sure the bumper support behind the cover is sitting in the right spot.

 

[2011.2017.odyssey]

 

[JLCali]

Thought you needed to modify the bumper slightly for these hidden hitches.

are you able to get the bumper corners over the plastic holders on each side of the quarter panels.

this is where you should start before trying to bolt things in place with the M10 bolts and body clips.
make sure the bumper support behind the cover is sitting in the right spot.

It’s the actual metal bumper that I’m having difficulty with. I took the bumper off and replaced the factory bolt with the longer bolt to account for the new hitch. The. You are supposed to put the bumper on over those bolts and washers using the key hole in the bumper. I got the bumper over the washers and bolts but can’t get them both to seat because the bolt is somehow not aligning. There was a lot of tension on it when I took it off. Wondering if it has to be seated with a machine somehow.

 

[JLCali]

Here are some photos

 

[JLCali]

I’m thinking I could also just drill out the holes wider on the bumper.

 

[2011.2017.odyssey]

The bumper beam...

something doesnt look right with those pics, like it was put on wrong or in a crash, the bolt should not be offset to the hole.
maybe its just your pic.

This post details the process quite well and links you to a video from etrailer.

https://www.odyclub.com/posts/2393084/

go to 8 mins 35 to see the bumper beam removal.

https://videos.etrailer.com/static/images/video/install-trailer-hitch-2014-honda-odyssey-76025.webm

EDIT: LOL
go to 9:58 of the video, he says to leave the washers off the frame rail on the 2014-2017.

 

[JLCali]

Yes, the bumper beam is what I was having trouble getting back on. And I think you nailed it—I believe it was an issue caused by a rear end collision several years ago when we first got the van. Took it in to a shop, and they replaced the bumper cover, but I don’t think they replaced the beam. When I took it off it had a lot of tension on it that must have released and made it impossible to put back on without modification.

I got some assistance and was able to drill out the holes wider to get it all bolted back on. Had to retap one of the threads because they didn’t want to go on very easily. I think that is more of a problem with the new bolts from Draw Tite being a little bit off.

Thanks for your assistance!

 

[marcusdismas]

I am installing a Draw Tite trailer hitch on my van—it’s the hidden hitch so I took the bumper off and bolted the hitch on. Now I’m trying to put the bumper back on and was able to get the bumper “key holes” over the new M10 bolts and washers (barely) but only one side of the bumper will actually slide down into the narrower keyhole slot. The other side appears to be off by a 1/4” so the bumper won’t slide down in place over the bolt. These are factory holes so I’m at a loss as to how I’m going to get this bumper back on!

i wonder if the foam insert is shifting on you as you try to reset & reseat. do you have a buddy helping.
i learned this while helping a friend replace the bumper cover for his 2015 (during subzero, another car 'tapped' it, hence not he keeps his folding THCC on full time.)