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07-04-2008, 08:18 PM
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#1
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Jim J
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 615
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Holding tank strap is loose
My 2005 Safari FB had a loose holding tank strap on the BW tank. When I looked underneath the bolt was missing that held it in. I got a new bolt as recommended by AS Tech but it won't hold because the captive nut it threads into appears to be stripped. Another bolt on the retaining bar seems to have the same problem, it is hanging half way out but can't be tightened up.
How do you gain access to the captive nuts to replace them? Or should I try to retap them?
Jim
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07-04-2008, 08:49 PM
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#2
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2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 45
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I discovered the same problem on my 2002 Safari this afternoon. The bolt was missing and the replacement I purchased cannot be tightened. The bad one is on the front of the fresh water tank, curbside. I will check the rest of them tomorrow.
LR
Bismarck ND
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07-07-2008, 08:16 AM
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#3
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Jim J
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 615
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I called Airstream today about this. They said the strap is held on by a 5/16 (18) x7/8 in long washerhead bolt. The bolt cuts its own threads into the frame.
Apparently this is put in with a powered wrench as several of these are stripped out on my trailer. This is sloppy work by someone.
I am going to try using a 3/8 in self tapping bolt and see if that will hold.
Jim
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07-07-2008, 08:30 AM
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#4
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USN/LAPD Retired
2005 25' Safari
North Las Vegas
, United States
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 850
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Jim J, please keep us posted.
R/
Rick
__________________
2007 Dodge Ram Quadcab 6.7L Diesel w/jakebrake
"Better to have more then you need, then need more then you have because you don't have enough!"
AIR #: 8129
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07-07-2008, 09:10 PM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 45
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Jim
I was lucky in that an access plate was just ahead of my striped bolt. I was able to put in a 1 ¼ inch bolt with a nut and lock washer. I also checked the rest and a few were a little loose. I suspect it would not take much to strip these out as the cross member they screwed into is very thin. I think your plan of using a self-threading 3/8 bolt is a good idea. I am going to purchase a couple for emergency use.
LR
Bismarck ND
2002 Safari 27
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07-08-2008, 07:00 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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They gotta hire youngsters too
It seems like somebody at Airstream had their airtool set on kill that year (vs. just stun ). I haven't heard so much about this problem lately. See: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f457...off-24397.html
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07-08-2008, 08:38 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Excella 500
Venice
, California
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,067
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A 5/16 x 18 Heli-coil might also work( unless the frame is too thin). You can use low strength locktite on the threads to keep them from getting loose.
__________________
"Not all who are laundering are washed" say Bill & Heidi
'78 Excella 500,"The Silver Pullit". vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes, center bath, rear twin. '67 Travelall 1200 B 4X4 WBCCI 3737
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07-09-2008, 09:43 PM
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#8
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Jim J
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 615
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I got the 3/8 thread cutting bolts and ran one up into the hole hand tight and then gave it another 3/4 turn. It is holding. I'll see if it is still there after my next trip
The frame is only 5/32 in. thick so with 18 threads per inch we are not quite getting the required 3 threads of engagement to get the full holding power of the bolt. This is marginal engineering on top of sloppy assembly.
Funny thinng was that while I was under the trailer I found one of the 5/16 bolts wedged under the grey water tank strap. I don't think it was the one that fell out, probably one that got dropped during assembly.
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07-10-2008, 07:50 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Excella 500
Venice
, California
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,067
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Here's one possible permanent fix. Steel, zinc plated steel, and stainless steel rivet nuts and rivet studs are available in 5/16 sizes. There are installaton tools that should work anywhere you can get a drill. A hand tool is about $150 from McMaster-Carr and the rivet nuts are cheap. Maybe,if this is a prevalent problem, someone could buy the tool and pass it around to amortize the cost?
__________________
"Not all who are laundering are washed" say Bill & Heidi
'78 Excella 500,"The Silver Pullit". vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes, center bath, rear twin. '67 Travelall 1200 B 4X4 WBCCI 3737
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07-10-2008, 09:40 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1967 26' Overlander
Winston Salem
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 524
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The last thing we need is a holding tank falling off going down the road.
Engineering/Poor quality control, bad....
These units are not Fleetwood/Shasta/Thor SOB's
Wally would not be impressed
__________________
Greg
Winston Salem, NC
WBCCI 5218,
Corresponding Secretary Piedmont NC Unit 161,
1967 Overlander International.
1979 Avion 30ft rear bath
TV's 88 Chevy Suburban 454, 3:42, TH400
95 Cadillac FW Brougham, LT1,3:42, 7k tow pk.
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