Hi,

I have a drop out Westfalia swan neck with the removable hitch. My swan neck is rusted in (both lock and neck are pretty solid, so I can't remove the swan neck.

Can anyone tell me if the swan neck has to be removed before the hitch can be removed from the receiver. If I take the bolt out, the hitch is movable (slightly) up and down but will not come out, like something is holding it in there. I can't see any mechanical logic to how that would work as, as far as i can tell, its a standard hitch that is inserted in a standard receiver, but I don't want to damage it removing it.

The item I'm trying to remove is part 2. in the attached image.

Thanks in advance.


Last edited by grizlyadams on 13th Dec 2023 1:53pm. Edited 1 time in total

The entire assembly can be removed with the swan neck attached. It seizes up due to corrosion on the rear pin the square insert butts up to. I removed mine using a sledgehammer and a block of wood. 2012 (L322) 4.4TDV8 Vogue SE, RSE, Fuji White over Arabica.
Previous V8s: BMW 645Ci, P38 4.6, P38 4.0, Merc CL500
Previous others: Honda x1, Volvo x7, Rover x6, BMW x6, Ford x1, Mercedes x2, Skoda x3, VW x2, Renault x2, Citroen x1, Mazda x3, Nissan x1, Audi x3, Kia x1, Fiat x4, Subaru x3, Austin x2, Triumph x2, Jeep x2, Hyundai x2, Lexus x1, Mitsubishi x1, Saab x2... and some others I've forgotten!

Lump hammer got mine out after a soak with plusgas. It's only the M16 bolt holding it + friction / rust. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

I had the same, as above, a big hammer and a block of decent wood, if it doesn't come out get a bigger hammer....

Then leave it submersed in white vinegar until part 1 comes out of part 2....

The vinegar shouldn't hurt the plastic bits but will eat the rust away...  Pete
I now have permission from the boss to use Y.O.L.O. Enjoy life
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

lots of wd 40 and careful tapping with a hammer ( as it used to say in the Haynes manuals)  2012 Black 4.4 TDV8
1968 Mgb Gt

Believe me - there is A LOT of Bulldog BDX (better than WD40) on it already! 😁

Thanks all for the confirmation of what I already thought. 👍👍👍

Have you tried a bit of heat, If you damage it I have a spare for sale  2017 SDV8 4.4 silicon silver AB
2012 TDV8 4.4 Stornaway Grey AB
2011 TDV8 4.4 Buckingham Blue
2012 VW V6 3.0 Tougreg