This article offers guidance on regular maintenance tasks to keep your 1UP rack operating safely and reliably.

If your rack is dirty, squeaking, or has been on your vehicle for a while, it&#x2019;s a good idea to bust out the tools to keep your&#xA0;<a href="https://1up-usa.com/product-category/racks/hitch-bike-racks/" id="isPasted" style=" text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">racks</a>&#xA0;and&#xA0;<a href="https://1up-usa.com/product-category/accessories/" style=" text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">accessories</a>&#xA0;functioning like new.<ul><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Check and tighten bolts: Periodically tighten the security hitch bolt to ensure proper tension.</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Clean the receiver: Remove the rack from the receiver tube at least every two weeks and clean it to prevent seizing.</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Remove debris: Clear dirt, road grime, and debris from nuts and bolts to prevent corrosion.</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Inspect hardware: Regularly check all hardware to make sure everything is in proper working order.</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Keep it clean: Maintaining a clean rack helps moving parts function smoothly. Use caution with chemical cleaners, as some may damage the finish. </li></ul><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i8gR4qkZp7g??list=PLN-Dfeu3OWAso8nMF3bfOkext0g7xIM4t&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen class="fr-draggable">&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;</iframe>

Maintenance

Find all our Instructions and Unboxing Videos in one convenient place.

Find all our Instructions and Unboxing Videos in one convenient place. Whether you&#x2019;re setting up a new rack for the first time, looking for tips on proper installation, or just curious about how our products work, everything you need is right here&#x2014;easy to browse and ready to guide you every step of the way.Click the button below to explore and get started!<a href="https://1up-usa.com/instructions/" style="background-color: #b10d12; color: white; padding: 10px 20px; text-decoration: none;" id="isPasted" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LEARN MORE</a>&#xA0;&#xA0;

Instructions & Unboxing Videos

If your bent arms are sticking or not operating smoothly, a small adjustment may be all that’s needed.

If your bent arms are sticking or not operating smoothly,&#xA0;a small adjustment may be all that&#x2019;s needed. Sometimes the bolt is too tight or the nut is binding in the hole, which puts excessive pressure on the cam&#x2011;locking mechanism and prevents it from operating properly. VIDEO TUTORIAL (JUMP TO 1:05)<iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i8gR4qkZp7g??t=65&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;autoplay=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen class="fr-draggable">&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;&#xA0;</iframe> INSTRUCTIONS<ol data-start="437" data-end="811"><li data-start="437" data-end="639" style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">Use a 3/16&#x2033; Allen wrench and a &#xBD;&#x2033; wrench to loosen the button head bolt about a quarter turn. This usually frees up any binding and restores smooth motion.</li><li data-start="437" data-end="639" style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">If the lever or arm is still stiff or squeaks when closing, apply a dry lube (or use a little WD&#x2011;40) at the pivot point to help.</li></ol><img src="https://attachments.gorgias.help/VR1W92R5WQv6M8yB/hc/MdAV17q4LV2ZWgaX/2025111321-5828e0de-58d7-43e8-b48d-4f495f2f07d9-ef213f02-e7c5-43ec-a646-a06eff4a7045.png" id="isPasted" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 299px;"> ADDITIONAL SUPPORTIf you&#x2019;ve tried these steps and the issue persists, contact our support team with your rack model and the problem you&#x2019;re seeing &#x2014; we&#x2019;re happy to help troubleshoot further.

Quick Fix: Sticking Arms or Levers on Your Rack

This article explains how to maintain your anti-wobble device and hitch bar to ensure a stable and secure connection.

The expander ball is what keeps the rack from wobbling in your receiver tube and may need maintenance from time to time.If the ball has fallen out of the hitch bar pocket, re-insert the ball and re-peen the pocket as shown in the diagram below. You can do this with a hammer and punch/nail.<img src="https://attachments.gorgias.help/VR1W92R5WQv6M8yB/hc/MdAV17q4LV2ZWgaX/2025020517-1b986a22-120f-4c82-845e-3ff5410521ac-screenshot%202025-02-05%20112419.png" style="width: 438px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil"> If there is damage to the ball or bullet (gold rod) on your rack, it can cause 2 things.&#xA0;<ul><li style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">The rack will not tighten all the way and/or the rack will loosen frequently.</li><li style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">The rack to not release tension when the security bolt is loosened.&#xA0;</li></ul>If you are experiencing either of these issues, the anti-wobble mechanisms will need to be removed and inspected. If you inspect any cracks, indentations, or damage to the bullet or ball, please reach out to us for resolution options.&#xA0;<div data-block="true" data-editor="3f0bo" data-offset-key="ef7fn-0-0" id="isPasted"><ul><li style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"><div data-offset-key="ef7fn-0-0">Remove Security bolt from side 2.</div></li><li style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">Insert a long rod or screwdriver into side 2.&#xA0;</li><li style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">Hit the rod or screwdriver with hammer to drive the bullet and dust cap out of side 1. </li></ul></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="3f0bo" data-offset-key="f6hjf-0-0"><div data-offset-key="f6hjf-0-0"><img src="https://attachments.gorgias.help/VR1W92R5WQv6M8yB/hc/MdAV17q4LV2ZWgaX/2025020516-5244f43b-c275-4fcb-8ad2-e3a45415c1e6-image-e720bf1f-fcf9-4b74-87fb-e94d2f593fc8.png" style="width: 444px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil"> Please see the&#xA0;<a href="https://1up-usa.com/content/pdf/BULLET-INSTALLATION.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">instructions</a>&#xA0;if you are re-installing or replacing parts for the anti-wobble mechanism.</div> </div>

Anti-Wobble & Hitch Bar Maintenance

An in-depth walkthrough on how to properly load and unload your bikes on the Quik Rack, Heavy Duty, Equip'D, and Super Duty racks.

We get in an in-depth walkthrough on how to properly load and unload your bikes on the Quik Rack, Heavy Duty, Equip&apos;D, and Super Duty racks.&#xA0;&#xA0;<iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HvEDEMD9BqA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen class="fr-draggable"></iframe>

Loading and Unloading your Bike Rack

How to raise or lower your bike rack to make accessing the rear of your vehicle easier, or leaving a smaller footprint when stowed.

We dive into how to raise or lower your bike rack to make accessing the rear of your vehicle easier, or leaving a smaller footprint when stowed.<iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wgB_Ou5UHqc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen class="fr-draggable"></iframe>

Raising and Lowering your Bike Rack

Submit this form to message our Customer Service team directly. We will get back to you during business hours (excludes holidays).

▪️Customer Service Hours: Mon-Fri, 7am-5pm CST
▪️Showroom Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm CST

Call our Customer Service team directly. If you aren't able to reach us, we will get back to you during business hours (excludes holidays).