ProPride hitch OCL screw

[turk123]

My OCL screw on one side was frozen up. I thought I might have stripped the threads, but it was two dissimilar metals acting on each other and causing it to seize up. After using some Corrosion X on them, the frozen one finally turned off the bracket. The good one just fell apart!!!

So what is going on here? The cylinder portion is bored out. It is NOT threaded. The bolt just sits in there and the whole thing is permanently loctited together (permanent red Loctite). What???

What seems to be a very stressful part is not at all stressed in the way it functions. It is not "pulled" on, but acts as a sort of "wedge".

I cleaned and removed all the red powder and started over. I'm giving it 24 hours before I take it out of the vice. In the meantime, I ordered 2 more OCL bolts to replace these.

Loctite??

[ROBERT CROSS]

ummm...I've had good luck with MarineTex, holding a variety of stuff together, AS & boat.👍

Bob
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[turk123]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

ummm...I've had good luck with MarineTex, holding a variety of stuff together, AS & boat.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

I have some of that. That would probably a better solution. Well, we will see tomorrow when I pull it from the vice.

Just seems odd they would not thread that piece and then add Loctite. Maybe the new versions are made different.

Golly! I should have used marine tex! Great stuff.

[Al and Missy]

IIRC mine are threaded. That is how you adjust the tension on the OCL. My guess is that the SS galled and when you finally got it out it stripped the threads.

On second thought, maybe the other end is where the adjustment is.....

Al

[rmkrum]

The other end has the threads. I just hooked up and drove 120 miles. You just gave me something else to inspect!!!

[Al and Missy]

Now I've got to drive out to the storage yard and look to see if mine are secure.....

[Tim A.]

Our Hensley hitch has OCLs with essentially the same parts. I do keep the adjustment threads lubricated (a shot of WD-40 now and then) so they don't bind. The "wedge" bar on the other end might have internal threads, but they shouldn't be necessary if the parts are well glued together. In use, everything is under compression and lubricated threads allow non-forceful turning for adjustment.

Tim

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by turk123

I have some of that. That would probably a better solution. Well, we will see tomorrow when I pull it from the vice.

Just seems odd they would not thread that piece and then add Loctite. Maybe the new versions are made different.

Golly! I should have used marine tex! Great stuff.

It's also GREAT for securing stripped wood screws, coat your toothpicks, fill the hole with the TP's, screw in the WS, coat the threads with vaseline if you intend to remove down the road.(I never have)

Bob
🇺🇸

[Overloaded]

Hensley has a lifetime warranty. Why would try to fix them? When you say you order new ones that was under warranty I hope?

[ghaynes755]

Did you call Sean at ProPride? Try posting on the ProPride Facebook page?

[rmkrum]

Oops. The other end has the adjustment threads on mine.

[turk123]

Surprisingly, the Loctite worked very well in attaching the two parts. Remember, this is the "permanent" variety of Loctite, not the other red Loctite that is actually called "Medium".

I guess I should have checked with Sean on the warranty issue. I did email him and he responded how to replace, but did not mention "I will send you . . ."

I think this is something everyone should carry as a spare anyway, so buy one (get two, the shipping is steep - part $8 shipping $14.21) and keep on hand or plan on staying for 24 hours as the Loctite drys.

This does not seem like a common occurrence type of event. The only reason mine got broken is that I was applying force to the "head" to turn the bolts out. If you keep them lubricated I think you will be OK. I would use a dialectic grease.

[rmkrum]

The nice thing about the way this is designed is that the parts are kept together by the force on the OCL when it is latched, and even if the end literally falls off when it is open, putting it back on the threaded part if you don’t have a spare can be done to get moving. Just be sure the latch has some force on it to keep the threads from turning. In a pinch, some JB Weld in the hole after cleaning it thoroughly would fix it.

A little grease on the OCL threads is a good idea to make sure it adjusts easily. I’ve noted a bit of rust lately.

I’ve also noticed that I need a 1/2 turn adjustment as the hitch wore in, especially when the powder coat on the wedge faces got worn off somewhat. A bit of dry lube spray on the wedge surface is probably another good idea.

It’s some of the more subtle stuff inherent in the ProPride maintenance.

From this, I plan to order a spare latch, some spare shear pins for the jacks, and maybe a hitch cover to keep it all dry in storage. Good thing we talk about all this stuff, and learn new things. Thanks for letting us know how the OCL end is stuck on there. I had casually assumed it was threaded...

[turk123]

I installed the OCL bolt today and it was a little difficult going on as the front third section of the bolt seems to have threads that are a bit compromised. I used some cutting oil and ran it back and forth a few times and it is better but not perfect.

I almost think that that area is exposed and has a tendency to rust. It looks clean but I got a lot of debris from the bolt. It has worn and will be replaced soon. I did a bit of cranking on it and the head stayed on just fine. Who knew?

[accordionman]

The small cylinder on my PP is threaded and turns freely on the threaded rod. I've never really paid a whole lot of attention to them, provided they are working properly. Occasionally I'll need to take up a couple of turns with the small cylinder, if I inadvertently move one of them. I've never had an issue with them.

[greghoro]

No need for a vice to hold the two pieces in place while the Loctite or whatever cures, just use the Stinger.

As Rich (rmkrum) noted, the parts under discussion are under compression when the OCL assembly is latched for travel. One can use a 5/8" jam nut where the threaded rod screws through the swivel arm to keep the threads from turning.

I actually have a jam nut permanently installed in each rod at the swivel arm to keep the adjustment setting from being disturbed, after painting the threads with anti seize compound. I believe that it is 5/8"-18 nut (fine thread) but if you go this route, bring the threaded part in with you to make sure the nut fits.





Greg

[ROBERT CROSS]

....👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[turk123]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

....[emoji106]



Bob

[emoji631]

Come weld mine!!!!!

[Menno]

I had the exact same problem. I really panicked at I couldn’t hitch up. My luck was that there was this guy with a drag race car and a trailer full of tools. He was able to get the bolt out, which was completely stuck.He was also amazed that the two parts were glued together rather than with a thread. He glued it again. The problem is indeed that these easily corrode and seize up.
Takes only a couple of months. I’m going to order a few extra too.
I think this is a weak link of the ProPride.
My other issue is that the ProPride is very low on the ground with an airstream. I hit the underneath of the tension bars many many times, and backing up sometimes have the bars dig into the ground.
But they work very well in towing. No complains there.

[ROBERT CROSS]

The haha comes welded, easy to do after the fact on the PP.👍

Bob
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