BX1622 Installation Instructions 1997-98 Chevrolet Malibu 1997-98 Oldsmobile Cutlass We recommend that a Class III (5000 lb) rated tow bar, hitch, and accessories be used with this car. Utilization of Blue Ox baseplates with any tow bar not approved by Automatic Equipment Mfg. Company invalidates the limited warranty.
Installation of this baseplate requires removing the bumper molding and the plastic headlight covers. The bumper molding may need to be cut in order to allow for attachment tab clearance. 1. Read the General Instruction Sheet included with this baseplate. 2. The baseplate attaches to the car using four bolts supplied with the baseplate. 3. The bumper molding must be removed to install the baseplate. Remove the plastic rivets from the top of the molding. Remove the plastic that covers each headlight. Looking down between the plugs for the lights you will see two rectangular plastic tabs. Pull up on each of these tabs and slide the light assembly forward to remove. Unhook all electrical plugs which would prevent the molding from being removed. Leave the bulb assemblies in the lights. Be careful not to let the exposed contacts on the plugs touch anything metal. This will blow a fuse in the light circuit and cause the lights to be dim when they are replaced. Set the lights aside. 4. Just outboard of each light is a bolt which holds the bumper molding to the fender panel, remove this bolt. In the front of the wheel well there are plastic fasteners which attach the black liner to the bumper molding. Remove these from each side of the car. In the wheel well, where the bumper molding and fender panel meet is a bolt which can be accessed by pulling back the black liner. Remove this bolt from both sides of the car. Remove the bottom bolts which connect the molding to the lower plastic shields. Pull the molding forward and remove it. 5. Between the black plastic bumper and the radiator there is a metal cross member. On the front of this piece there are two holes which will be used to mount the baseplate. They are approximately 22 1/4" apart. On the back side of the cross member are oblong openings which will allow you to insert the 1/2" nut plates with wires, flat and lock washers and the 1/2" x1 3/4 Hex bolt (Items 2, 3, 4 and 7). Hand tighten only. Be careful on the drivers side not to damage the sensor which is mounted near the opening on the back side. Be sure to use Loctite Red to all bolts before tightening. Tighten all bolts according to torque chart in the General Instruction sheet. 6. There are two large bolts which hold the black lower frame to the color keyed upper frame. These bolts will be below and outside the radiator. If you are not sure of the bolts, you can hold the baseplate in position and verify the proper bolts. Place a jack or a block under the frame before removing these bolts. Depending on the vehicle, to get access to these bolts, remove a rivet from the flexible shield or remove the plastic rock guard. You will need to cut slots in the either piece and slide the bent braces through before bolting to the frame. 7. With the frame bolts removed, apply Loctite to the 14MM bolts and lock washers (Items 5 and 6) and hold the baseplate up in position and start all four bolts. When all bolts are started, tighten completely. Be sure to use Loctite Red to all bolts before tightening. Tighten all bolts according to torque chart in the General Instruction sheet.

Automatic Equipment Mfg. Co. One Mill Road, Industrial Park l Pender, Nebraska 68047

292-2109

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8. The dimensional variations between otherwise identical cars can be considerable. While the location and size of the holes in the baseplate were designed to allow for easy installation, it may be necessary to file a hole slightly to allow a bolt to clear. 9. To replace the bumper molding, you may need to cut the upper bar in the center opening of the molding to allow the attachment tabs to protrude. Hold the molding in its mounted position and mark the area which needs to be cut. Cut the bars. If the safety cable tabs interfere with the grill bars, they can be bent up or down to clear. 10. Replace the bumper molding. The attachment tabs may hinder the replacement of the two rivets into the top of the center opening. You can trim the head of the rivet so it can be slid up between the tabs. 11. The dimensional variations between otherwise identical cars can be considerable. While the baseplate was designed for easy installation, it may be necessary to tailor the baseplate slightly to compensate for auto manufacturers' tolerances. These minor adjustments may include filing a hole slightly, bending electrical rods, adding shims and/ or bending endplates. 12. Install the tow bar and safety cables according to the instructions included in their packages. 13. Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pin and clip are lost. 14. DEALER OR INSTALLER: BE CERTAIN THE USER RECEIVES THE INSTRUCTION SHEET.

Tools Required

22MM Socket 21MM Socket Medium Flat Screwdriver Utility Knife Pliers Loctite Red 10MM Socket 3/4" Wrench 3/4" Socket

Parts List

Ref. No. 7 Qty. 4 Part No. Description 61-4969..Weldment, Baseplate, BX1622 61-5496... 1/2 Nut Plate with Wire 203-0005....1/2 Flat Washer 203-0012....1/2 Lock Washer 203-0131.... 14MM Lock Washer 201-0561... 14MM-2.0 x 90MM Grade 10.9 201-0068... 1/2-13 x 1 3/4 Hex Bolt, ZP

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1998 Automatic Equipment Mfg. Co. Pender, NE 68047