Hustler trailer hitch question

[Sandcassle]

Have you ever noticed how things you think will be simple & straightforward can be a pain in the um...neck?

I'm ready to reinstall my trailer hitch, one of the final things to do after the rebuild. When attempting to install the inside brace, the mounting hole on the end of the brace (arm) doesn't line up with anything to bolt it to. It almost tries to line up with the rear engine mount stud bolts, but not quiet.

I thought I would post a picture of my hitch assembly to see if anyone elses looks like mine and maybe you can help me out.

Thanks, Roy

[kestianj]

mine looks just like yours,and it goes over the rear engine bolt after the engine is in and the rubber engine mount is on...hope that helps,

[Sandcassle]

Ok, thanks kestianj. That's where it seems like it wanted to go. Apparently the frame isn't sitting inside the plastic body in exactly the same place it was originally. It'll probably require a little tweaking and persuasion to get it all lined up.

[Sandcassle]

kestianj, I forgot to ask. Does yours have the wooden spacer also? It looks like it was installed inside the tub.

[kestianj]

mine had a rubber spacer on the inside between the body and the bracket that connects to the engine, maybe a quarter inch thick....I did have to force the bracket over the bolt though, its a tight fit

[boncrshr]

That looks a little different than mine. I did some strengthening of my stock mount, and I did have to use some spacers on re-assembly, but I just cut some really thick strap stock to the right length, stacked them, and drilled holes.

I have some webshots of them, but I can't retrieve the link right now..says they are doing site maintenance.

[Sandcassle]

Ok Ya'll, What Should I Do?

The trailer hitch mounting holes were misdrilled from the factory on my Hustler 900. They are exactly 1" off center. This is why the inside reinforcing bracket that attaches to the left aft engine mounting stud is not aligning up properly. I can't seem to allow myself to just throw it back together like it was and forget about it. I like my stuff to be as correct as feasibly possible (wife calls me a perfectionist, but I don't think so).

As I see it, I have 2 choices:

Modify the inside bracket by simply doing some cutting, relocating and rewelding...OR... by locating exact center for the hitch and redrill new mounting holes and filling the old holes.

Also, if I did redrill new holes, what would be best to use for filling the old holes (polybody)?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Sandcassle]

Here's a couple pics

Here's a couple photos to help clarify my description of the problem. One photo shows the misdrilled trailer hitch holes relative to the rear center tub mounting bolt. I did verify the tub mounting bolt to be center.
The other photo shows how the inside reinforcement mount would have to be cut and relocated on it's plate.