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dznf0g · 03-09-2018, 08:38 PM

You should probably have all the parts in hand

badkat · 03-09-2018, 08:45 PM

Unfortunately we may not be mechanical but got the monies for our repairs. Any suggestions?

dznf0g · 03-09-2018, 09:11 PM

Well, maybe someone down there will see this thread. Or maybe put a help wanted ad in the forum classifieds.

Jack Moore · 03-10-2018, 11:30 PM

Is the issue taking the old out to thread the new in? Try a reverse twist drill bit. As it cuts the old zero it will bite and threat d it out.

YippieKiYa · 03-11-2018, 07:15 AM

ITs a good thing you noticed this and are asking questions. The good news is that you can likely go one or two trips with the fitting broken to get someplace to repair it. There's enough grease in the the pivot to get you by for a short time.

Jack's suggestion above in post #24 is spot on. A Harbor Freight or similar store (or Amazon) will have left-hand drill bits or screw extractors for sale. I like the LH bits for this because of the shallow nature of your work. I bought mine on Amazon.

- Select a bit that is larger than the hole in the zerk, but smaller than the hole that the zerk fits into in your hitch (you don't want to damage the threads).
- Set the drill to slow speed, left hand twist, and start drilling out the zerk. Stay aligned with the zerk and the direction it is inserted, and keep firm, steady pressure on the bit.
- It should bite and then unscrew the remaining bit of the zerk.
- If you're struggling with the drill binding, go to high speed and be very careful.
- Clean any metal bits that remain, grease the threads a little bit and install the new zerk.
- Grease fitting as normal.

When it bites, it seems like crazy magic to watch the broken bit of screw come out of the hole. This is a really handy technique to know, and it works well on stripped allen screws, too. If you don't do it yourself, this is what a shop will do for you.

bigwim33 · 03-12-2018, 03:22 PM

Just put the right size wrench on the zerk fitting its not broken far enough down to need extracted

overlander63 · 03-12-2018, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badkat

Unfortunately we may not be mechanical but got the monies for our repairs. Any suggestions?

Did you buy it new? If so, it has a lifetime warranty. Give Hensley a call, and they'll let you know what you need to do.

dznf0g · 03-12-2018, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

Did you buy it new? If so, it has a lifetime warranty. Give Hensley a call, and they'll let you know what you need to do.

Post one says he has towed 5 years with a 2003 Hensley, so I don't think so.

DoubleR · 03-12-2018, 04:33 PM

Check the picture in Post 15 of the replacement part. The nut shown in that picture is the same nut with the zerk fitting sheared off on your hitch, only yours is painted black. You should just loosen the nut on your hitch and the zerk should come out. The nut just works to lock the other part once it it is positioned correctly in the screw hole.

HiHoAgRV · 03-12-2018, 05:42 PM

When you remove the zerk fitting, watch for the spring behind it that it holds in.

YippieKiYa · 03-12-2018, 05:44 PM

Looked at the photo on the desktop, and concur - the nut is still there, so you should be able to wrench it out without issue. Sorry for the old eyes on the phone...

DBinSD · 03-12-2018, 06:31 PM

Could it be your jack stand keeps making contact with the fitting?

DoubleR · 03-12-2018, 08:26 PM

I would think that the TV would have to be at very sharp angle to the trailer when parked and running the jack down or up, but it’s always a possibility.

badkat · 03-17-2018, 08:19 PM

We removed and installed the new zerk today..Hensley said a five minute problem and it only took us rookies over an hour. Jackson started out but he is good at directions and I am good at listening and doing the work.

Hope when we pull out tomorrow we have no surprises!

Thanks for all the help once again.

badkat · 03-19-2018, 05:05 PM

Our trailer front was dropped at Camper Clinic II while in for repair. It was noticed by us right after that. They said they inspected it but this may have been when it happened. We full-time so we have never had this problem in 5 years.

It is fixed and now we feel a little more useful with our AS repairs..but just a little.