One Tuff bolt...

[PA5er]

While lifting my Mountaineer 5er with the landing gear the right side drive shaft that enters the landing gear twisted off at the bolt hole. That's right. At the bolt hole. Originally I thought the 1/4" bolt sheered off. Nope. Twisted that sucker off. Bolt looked like new. $80 rebuild kit and 15 minutes she'll be like new.
Anybody else had this happen? It's lifed the camper hundreds of times. But...

[JRTJH]

Not sure what you're saying sheared.... If it was a bolt, an EZout and a drill should have fixed it. If it's something else that sheared, how about a picture of the damaged area? It might save someone else the heartache if there's something that could be checked (and maybe prevented)......

[SAABDOCTOR]

GOT ME BAFUZED Was it a bolt or the drive shaft that twisted? and something had to jamb it the weight of uor camper should not have been enough to shear snap break a 1/4 inch bolt. any way you can post a picture?

[PA5er]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Not sure what you're saying sheared.... If it was a bolt, an EZout and a drill should have fixed it. If it's something else that sheared, how about a picture of the damaged area? It might save someone else the heartache if there's something that could be checked (and maybe prevented)......

It was the shaft not the bolt. I'll take a pic and post it up. Was baffled that the shaft broke before shearing the bolt

[PA5er]

Here are the pics:

[JRTJH]

Thanks for the pictures!

Do you recall what grade bolt you had as a shear pin? People on here and also the dealer have told me that Grade V bolts are the correct ones to use. BUT: If you were using a Grade V bolt and it twisted the shaft before shearing the pin, maybe Grade V is too strong for use (at least in some fifth wheels).

I'm thinking that maybe a Grade 2 might work better?

Seems to me it goes like this:

Grade 2 proof at 55,000 PSI
Grade V proof at 85,000 PSI
Grade 8 proof at 120,000 PSI

Maybe a softer bolt for shear pins might be cheaper in the long run?

Methinks changing a 20 cent bolt now is a lot cheaper than rebuilding a 80 dollar gear set when it breaks. ????

[SAABDOCTOR]

I would agree with jrtjh that the grade 5 may be too strong a bolt but what the heck made that shear in the first place.if nothing was jambing it up maybe the gear case was weak?

[PA5er]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Thanks for the pictures!

Do you recall what grade bolt you had as a shear pin? People on here and also the dealer have told me that Grade V bolts are the correct ones to use. BUT: If you were using a Grade V bolt and it twisted the shaft before shearing the pin, maybe Grade V is too strong for use (at least in some fifth wheels).

I'm thinking that maybe a Grade 2 might work better?

Seems to me it goes like this:

Grade 2 proof at 55,000 PSI
Grade V proof at 85,000 PSI
Grade 8 proof at 120,000 PSI

Maybe a softer bolt for shear pins might be cheaper in the long run?

Methinks changing a 20 cent bolt now is a lot cheaper than rebuilding a 80 dollar gear set when it breaks. ????

Grade V. That's a good idea to go to a grade 2. Might have to carry a few extra.

[PA5er]

Project complete and everything is good. Simple rebuild.

[JRTJH]

I'm glad things worked out for you. I'm heading to town tomorrow and plan to stop by the nut and bolt place and get some grade 2 bolts to replace the grade V in my landing gear. Thanks for the heads up, but sorry about the way you found out

[Laredo291OH]

A grade 2 bolt is still fairly strong, alot of shear bolts have a groove cut around them so they will always shear at the groove. Not sure of the size bolt you need, but you may be able to find some actual shear bolts, say for a snow blower or something that would fit. If you have a access to a lathe can always groove your own too.