Element frame needs grinding

[stevegula]

I bought a Hidden Hitch for the Element. The Element frame is "pre-drilled" for a four bolt hitch setup. Unfortunately, it looks like they don't drill the holes but instead they punch them (I'd imagine it's much quicker on the assembly line).

Anyway, it looks like when the holes got punched, two of them didn't have anything on the backside to hold the steel in place, so the steel pushed out instead of leaving a flat surface. This is causing clearance issues for my hitch. I assume the solution here is to grind down the frame because it ain't likely I'm hammering that back into place.

My concern is proximity to the fuel tank but I'm hoping that: the sparks are going to go either towards the front bumper or the rear just because of how this would be grinded, I won't be doing this enough that the sparks (traveling on an indirect path) would have potential to heat a tank to a dangerous level on the off chance they make contact, but even if they did I could mitigate it with an insulating material temporarily taped into place.

Any thoughts?

Anyone in NOVA have a grinder I could use to do this?

[Kaan]

I have a grinder if you need it.

I've also welded while sitting on a fuel cell... i doubt the amount of grinding required would actually heat up the gas. Swing by the house if you want some time and i'll do it if you want. :-P

[.RJ]

Steve - I've got a grinder too, if you need it. You'll want to paint any metal you grind down for rust prevention, vatozone should have some chassis paint.

I wouldnt worry about sparks bouncing off of the bottom of gas tank too much, but a piece of cardboard taped up to it will be fine to deflect anything.

[stevegula]

Word. Thanks guys. I'm gonna be at Nunya/Ed's place tonight from 7:30-whenever taking care of this. Hopefully not dying.

[.RJ]

:lol:

Good luck