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04-03-2009, 06:59 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,480
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reattaching stabilizer
Well, I got my stabilizer rod straightened and was ready to reinstall it to the aft, curb position when I found that one of the fasteners was *missing*. The single point that attaches towards the center of the trailer did have a threaded portion extending from under the trailer (i.e. when I removed the stabilizer at this point, all I had to do was remove the nut versus removing two screws/lock washers at the curbside edge). When I looked in the service manual, I see this fastener is a " 3/16 inch J bolt". Hummmmm. I think I need a little more information! Is anyone familiar with this? Where I can get a replacement and what it takes to get it back in position? I have no idea how it would have migrated out of the hole....
Laura
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04-03-2009, 07:08 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 30' Classic S/O
Currently Looking...
Mohrsville
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,313
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Laura,
A "J" bolt is simply a bolt in a "J" shape. It probably fell out of the hole. You might find it laying on the ground under the trailer. If you need one you can probably find them at a hardware store.
Take a look here...
Bolt Depot - J-Bolt Dimensions
__________________
Carl, Elaine & Finn The Beagle
2006 30' Classic W Slide & Limited Package Katarina
2006 GMC 2500 HD 6.6 Turbo Diesel Crew Cab 8' Bed
TAC PA-3
S/OS#042
AIR #14487
NQ3U (was KB3UOM)
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04-03-2009, 07:23 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,480
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Whew --- sounds easy enough --- though I notice there isn't a 3/16 in the list at the link. I'll try Ace Hardware next. Hope it isn't an *odd ball* size! How about finding the remaining dimensions? I'm thinking the length isn't as important as the diameter.... I did fish around on the ground with a magnet. Zilch. Course, the lawn company came to mow (for the first time since Christmas I think) . Maybe their mower slung the J bolt across the yard?
Laura
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04-03-2009, 07:35 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2006 30' Classic S/O
Currently Looking...
Mohrsville
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,313
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Laura,
3/16" seems kind of puny to be holding a stabilizer jack to a trailer frame. Can you measure the diameter of one of the other stabilizers? I would think more along the lines of a 3/8" bolt.
__________________
Carl, Elaine & Finn The Beagle
2006 30' Classic W Slide & Limited Package Katarina
2006 GMC 2500 HD 6.6 Turbo Diesel Crew Cab 8' Bed
TAC PA-3
S/OS#042
AIR #14487
NQ3U (was KB3UOM)
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04-03-2009, 07:39 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,480
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I didn't have my glasses on when looking at the service manual - maybe it was 5/16". I'll look again after work and crawl under the AS to get a look at the others. I'm wondering if it would be prudent to remove one of the other stabilizers to get a better idea of the dimensions of the hooks and see what it takes to get one in & out. Guess it's not too much work to do that --- until I gall the threads or something. You know, it's never *that easy*....
Laura
Thanks for the quick responses Carl!
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04-03-2009, 07:48 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2006 30' Classic S/O
Currently Looking...
Mohrsville
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,313
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Laura,
Taking one of the other "J" bolts to match the size would be a good idea. Hit is with a good penetrating oil like PB Blaster or WD-40 in a pinch, let it soak in and then try wrenching the old bolt off. Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Also what make & model stabilizer are they? All the instructions I find on the web for BAL stabilizers use a regular olf self threading bolt. Maybe the older models used something different.
http://norcoind.com/bal/downloads/ma...20(20-8-T).pdf
__________________
Carl, Elaine & Finn The Beagle
2006 30' Classic W Slide & Limited Package Katarina
2006 GMC 2500 HD 6.6 Turbo Diesel Crew Cab 8' Bed
TAC PA-3
S/OS#042
AIR #14487
NQ3U (was KB3UOM)
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04-03-2009, 08:07 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,480
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DEITZ645
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??? I'll have to check the manual tonight! Thanks for your help.
Laura
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04-03-2009, 08:14 AM
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#8
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,615
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Here is a picture from the 75 Service Manual.
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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04-03-2009, 08:21 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2006 30' Classic S/O
Currently Looking...
Mohrsville
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,313
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It's A Vintage Thang
Quote:
Originally Posted by azflycaster
Here is a picture from the 75 Service Manual.
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Eureka...So it is a vintage thang .
Quote:
I didn't have my glasses on when looking at the service manual - maybe it was 5/16".
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Laura,
The "J" bolt is 5/16".
__________________
Carl, Elaine & Finn The Beagle
2006 30' Classic W Slide & Limited Package Katarina
2006 GMC 2500 HD 6.6 Turbo Diesel Crew Cab 8' Bed
TAC PA-3
S/OS#042
AIR #14487
NQ3U (was KB3UOM)
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04-03-2009, 08:30 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,480
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How'd you do that so quick Richard?
Okay 5/16" it is... will stop at the hardware store on my way home and see what they have before taking another stabilizer loose. Maybe I'll get lucky and it will fit the first time... ohhh, shouldn't have said that!
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04-03-2009, 09:48 AM
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#11
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by funkill
Maybe I'll get lucky and it will fit the first time... ohhh, shouldn't have said that!
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You realize you have just doomed yourself to a lifetime of searching.
The stabilizers on our trailer are held in place by self-tapping bolts, if you can't find a J bolt, maybe you can use one of them.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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04-15-2009, 11:00 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,480
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Final report
Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
You realize you have just doomed yourself to a lifetime of searching.
The stabilizers on our trailer are held in place by self-tapping bolts, if you can't find a J bolt, maybe you can use one of them.
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I did, finally, give up the search. It was driving me batty....
I purchased 3" and 5" (5/16") J-bolts at ACE hardware. The 3" ended up fitting. I have NO idea how it worked. I kept using a wire hanger to find what the J hooked onto inside that hole. Never could find a bolt-hanger in there. Finally put the J-bolt up in there and, after toggling it around for a few minutes, it grabbed on something and held. Got the stabilizer back in place and used it this weekend. I did notice that it is somewhat more difficult to turn now, but I got it extended/retracted without any real difficulty.
Thanks for all your help!!!
Laura
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04-15-2009, 11:13 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by funkill
I did, finally, give up the search. It was driving me batty....
I purchased 3" and 5" (5/16") J-bolts at ACE hardware. The 3" ended up fitting. I have NO idea how it worked. I kept using a wire hanger to find what the J hooked onto inside that hole. Never could find a bolt-hanger in there. Finally put the J-bolt up in there and, after toggling it around for a few minutes, it grabbed on something and held. Got the stabilizer back in place and used it this weekend. I did notice that it is somewhat more difficult to turn now, but I got it extended/retracted without any real difficulty.
Thanks for all your help!!!
Laura
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Laura.
The "J" bolt hooks on to a "crossmember," which also supports the jack.
Crossmembers run between the 2 frame rails.
Andy
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04-15-2009, 11:24 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2006 30' Classic S/O
Currently Looking...
Mohrsville
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,313
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Quote:
Originally Posted by funkill
I did, finally, give up the search. It was driving me batty....
I purchased 3" and 5" (5/16") J-bolts at ACE hardware. The 3" ended up fitting. I have NO idea how it worked. I kept using a wire hanger to find what the J hooked onto inside that hole. Never could find a bolt-hanger in there. Finally put the J-bolt up in there and, after toggling it around for a few minutes, it grabbed on something and held. Got the stabilizer back in place and used it this weekend. I did notice that it is somewhat more difficult to turn now, but I got it extended/retracted without any real difficulty.
Thanks for all your help!!!
Laura
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Laura,
I am glad to hear that you are once again "stable."
__________________
Carl, Elaine & Finn The Beagle
2006 30' Classic W Slide & Limited Package Katarina
2006 GMC 2500 HD 6.6 Turbo Diesel Crew Cab 8' Bed
TAC PA-3
S/OS#042
AIR #14487
NQ3U (was KB3UOM)
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04-15-2009, 11:51 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,480
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Thanks Andy, I hope I *caught* the cross-member!!
Dietz --- not sure how long I'll be stable - but it sure felt good for the weekend!
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03-20-2010, 06:33 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2023 30' Globetrotter
Pleasanton
, California
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,905
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I realize this is a dormant / dead thread, but let me see if I can revive it.
I never knew of J bolts until reading this thread. Regardless, it seems like they are one of those intended one-time-use things which I tend to not like. In other words, if you need to remove one, you're more likely to break & replace than remove.
I think it was ROBERTSUNRUS that posted in another thread that he drilled a 1" hole in the belly pan next to the jack's bolt hole and then held a nut in place and sealed / covered the hole w/ duct tape. Anytime someone mentions duct tape as part of a repair, I tend to shy away. But, in this case it's at least serviceable. Not like the belly of my '74 is in great shape anyway.
Anyone else have other creative solutions? If not, then I think I'm off to Lowe's tomorrow to look for J-bolts, or else buy some all-thread and make my own J bolts with the help of a saw and a torch. The other option I have would be to re-drill and tap new holes, but I'm not real cool with that since what I'm drilling into is only so wide and I've got to worry about the frame rail and the cross member. An offset on one of those means risk of missing the other with the drill. If I re-tap then I'm looking at 1/2" at this point. The corroded holes are about 3/8" in diameter (originally 5/16" plus corrosion) and seemingly 7/16" isn't real common to use anymore so I'd be looking at 1/2". So, in 30 years then someone (maybe me???) could potentially have to deal with the conundrum of corroded-out 1/2" holes! Not to mention I'd have to drill 1/2" holes in the jack itself which likely would clear-through to an edge of the mounting flange. Hmmm, J bolts are soundin' pretty good at this point.
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03-20-2010, 10:25 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,369
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I agree with you on the duct tape.
Quote:
Originally Posted by atobols
I think it was ROBERTSUNRUS that posted in another thread that he drilled a 1" hole in the belly pan next to the jack's bolt hole and then held a nut in place and sealed / covered the hole w/ duct tape. Anytime someone mentions duct tape as part of a repair, I tend to shy away. But, in this case it's at least serviceable. Not like the belly of my '74 is in great shape anyway.
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Hi, you are correct; That is exactly what I did. My choices were to remove the entire belly pan, to gain access to the cross members and install speed nuts. Or maybe weld a nut in place on the cross members. The fact that they used self tapping bolts into a thin piece of steel [cross member] giving the bolt only about two threads to hold it in place and under a load when deployed, isn't enough. And the fact that the belly pan would have to be re-installed before the stabilizers are installed makes it very inconveinient. So, for me, to drill out 1" holes so I can have a wrench hold a nut in place was my best option. I wanted to buy 1" plugs for the holes, and still might some day, but in reality the belly pan is so thin, like aluminum foil, that screwing or riveting a plate/cover in place, would just weaken the belly pan. So duct tape was the hot ticket at the time.
Duct tape isn't my choice for repairs either, but the way Airstream mounted my stabilizers was quite weak. Now they are rock solid.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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