[ this is just for reference ONLY. showing what I have done to 2014 Forester. NOT intended for instruction on how to repair it or maintaining it. I believe it is missing many details and steps to be used as Instruction.]
I believe it is important to look at service
manual to remove certain item such as muffler, bumper, so on, and use correct
Torque specification to tighten them back. I removed Bumper
and muffler units to install Trailer hitch. There was thin Aluminum Metal
right above Muffler probably for heat protection from muffler. but, This
aluminum sheet metal is in the way of installing trailer hitch , so I moved the
sheet metal and I need to cut thin aluminum metal sheet to fit trailer hitch.
This
aluminum metal sheet is above muffler. I attach to car by bolts.
after
removing exhaust muffler,
I remove bolts to remove metal sheet.
It was
much easier to cut sheet metal removed from car.
Metal sheet is very soft, I
cut it with heavy duty scissor. I used Harbor Freight heavy duty
scissor often the one often give away for Free if you have coupon.
My forester only have One muffler on Passenger side only.
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This is Driver side, left side of car.
This model of
forester is 2.5i base mode, so it does not have
exhaust Muffler on driver
side.
I had to use long extension Pipe 4 ft long to attach to torque wrench to tighten torque specification of trailer hitch. it required two person to do it. I hold Socket and Torque wrench under car to hold to Nut, while other person turn the wrench.
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This picture is after remove bumper cover ( white plastic
) and bumper ( metal parts )
It is easier to install bolt to hold
trailer hitch to do this way.
Trailer Hitch instruction show placing Bolt with wire which came with trailer hitch and requiring drilling hole in frame of the Car, so I choose to remove Bumper, to avoid drilling Hole in frame of the car.
Un tighten the bolts to hold Metal Bumper plate inside of plastic bumper cover was very tight.
so I used PB blaster.
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I had to install BOLTs and square BOLT washer inside of Bumper Access Holes.
Square Bolt Washer are probably to spread Load of Bolt to the Frame.
This Bolt and Square installation were much easier , because I removed metal bumper. Other wise I had to do this blind from small access hole which I had to drill on frame.
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I looked at service manual to remove bumper.
For me, It is impossible to remove bumper without knowing how
to do it.
other wise, I would have broken something in process
of removing bumper.
So I followed instruction of service manual to do this works.
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Plastic bumper cover and Metal Bumper and Tail light units removed.
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This is how it looks like after done.
I also installed backup ultrasonic sensor , at same time , when I remove bumper.
Ultrasonic sensor beep when
something close by,
less than $20 for entire system at ebay. The Power to Ultrasonic back up
sensor is connected to Backup Light, so it is only activated while gear in
reverse.
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Placing nuts into bolts was not easy. I used floor
jack to lift trailer hitch
Slowly, and attached nuts to bolts.
I made bolt holder , out of aluminum soda can, I
cut aluminum soda can into about 2 inch square, and made a hole to hold Bolts.
so Bolts do not get pushed up when I am raising trailer hitch , and while
matching up bolts on car and holes on hitch.
it helped bolts not pushed up, while try to install trailer hitch
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Other wise, must hold bolt, while try to install trailer hitch in other way
I reinstalled muffler, metal bumper, plastic bumper cover after word. I found a rubber grommet hole under spare tire , so I install trailer light wire through it.