Remove/install trailer hitch cross member - AR31.30-P-0007N

MODEL /215.375 //////////378 1# up to 31.8.02 with CODE (550) Trailer hitch except CODE (772) AMG styling package - front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron Mechanically swiveling trailer hitch 

MODEL /215.375 //////////376 378 1# up to 1.9.02 with CODE (550) Trailer hitch except CODE (772) AMG styling package - front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron 855 Mechanically swiveling trailer hitch 

Fig 1: Identifying Trailer Hitch Cross Member Remove/Install Components (1 Of 2)

Fig 2: Identifying Trailer Hitch Cross Member Remove/Install Components (2 Of 2)

	Remove
	Notes on installing a trailer coupling	Model 215.	AH31.10-P-1000-02B
	Notes regarding work on trailer coupling	All models	AH31.10-P-1000-01A
	Notes on self-locking nuts and bolts	All models	AH00.00-N-0001-01A
	Risk of explosion  from explosive gas. Risk of poisoning and caustic burns  from swallowing battery electrolyte. Risk of injury  through burns to skin and eyes from battery acid or when handling damaged lead-acid batteries	No fire, sparks, open flames or smoking. Wear protective gloves, acid-resistant clothing and safety glasses. Pour battery electrolyte only into suitable and appropriately marked containers.	AS54.10-Z-0001-01A
1	Disconnect ground cable of battery		AR54.10-P-0003I
	Notes on battery	All models	AH54.10-P-0001-01A
	Notes on AGM battery	Model 215 as of 1.1.01	AH54.10-P-0002-01A
2	Remove rear bumper		AR88.20-P-2200N
3	Remove trailer hitch socket housing	Do not disconnect electrical connectors.	AR31.19-P-1350NA
4	Remove tie strap (3) from wiring harness for trailer hitch socket (5)
5	Remove operating lever for mechanically swiveling trailer hitch	The ball neck (1) must be unlocked and must not be locked again. If operating lever is damaged, see: ↓	AR31.11-P-8010M
		Unlocking device for trailer hitch release cable.	WF58.50-P-3111-01M
		Unlock ball neck (1) if operating lever is damaged.	AR31.11-P-8000-03M
6	Loosen release lever cable (8) and cable branch-off line for trailer hitch release (10) with black, 4-pin coupling of vehicle's own wiring harness and pull out of the hole in the rear closing panel under the left taillamp	Installation:  Pay attention to correct seating of grommet (7) of release lever cable (8) and the cable branch-off line of the trailer hitch release (10).
7	Unscrew collar nuts (9) on the left and right	Self-locking collar nut (9). Secure trailer hitch cross member (2) to prevent it from falling down.
8	Loosen bolts (11) on the left and right of the trailer hitch cross member (2)	Four micro-encapsulated bolts (11). Only unscrew bolts (11) completely after step 9.
9	Pull trailer hitch cross member (2) backwards off the two trailer hitch longitudinal members (6)	Check sealing wedges for damage and replace if necessary.
	Install
10.1	Recut thread on the trailer hitch longitudinal members (6)	Not when installing new trailer hitch longitudinal members (6).
11	Insert trailer hitch cross member (2) in the two trailer hitch longitudinal members (6) and screw on finger-tight with the bolts (11)	Pay attention to correct seating of sealing wedges. Bolts (11) must be replaced. When installing one or both trailer hitch longitudinal members (6) the trailer hitch cross member (2) must be centered at the upper left and right outer studs using the left alignment punch (12) and right alignment punch (13).
12	Screw on collar nuts (9) and tighten to the specified torque	Collar nuts (9) must be replaced The left alignment punch (12)and right alignment punch (13) must be removed from the studs again before screwing the collar nuts (9) onto the studs.
		Nut, trailer coupling to rear center assembly	*BA31.11-P-1001-01A
13	Tighten bolts (11) on the two trailer hitch longitudinal members (6) to the specified torque	Bolt, trailer coupling to side member reinforcement	*BA31.11-P-1002-01A
14	Install in the reverse order	Steps 6 to 1.
15	Carry out function check of mechanically swiveling trailer hitch		AR31.19-P-1450M

TRAILER COUPLING MECHANICAL SYSTEM