Notes regarding work on trailer hitch - AH31.10-P-1000-01A
All models
The trailer hitch is a safety-relevant part. Therefore, the crossmember and stiffening beam (or the trailer bracket on cross-country vehicles), the attaching parts and the ball neck must not be reshaped or mechanically reworked.
If the trailer hitch is damaged/deformed due to an accident, for example, the complete mechanical part including all attaching parts (A) must be replaced with new parts.
Trailer hitches with a detachable ball neck (B) must only be replaced if the trailer hitch was mounted at the time the accident occurred.