That &^%$ Hinge Pin

[jspeer]

I know this sounds like a trivial question, folks, but it's about to drive me up the wall!

We bought our 2006 28' Safari new in March 2006. We have spent eight months in it since then, and almost every day I've had to get out the hammer and bang the pin on the lower door hinge back into place. I've tried peening the aluminum on the hinge casting with a center punch; I've tried Loktite screw glue; I've taken it to the dealer who peened the casting with even more force than I had used. Nothing works. The trailer is still in warranty, but before I ask them just to replace the ^&*( hinge, I wonder if anyone has any suggestions.

Thanks!

Jim

[Foiled Again]

Tell them to replace it. If you've tried all that other stuff, clearly the hole is too big or the pin is too small... (excise dirty joke here).

[Aerowood]

Drill a 1/16 dia hole through the hinge and pin and install a 1/16 roll pin through the whole assembly

[thecatsandi]

epoxy? Since it is still in warrenty have them replace it and find the root cause. it should not have failed that quickly.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by jimspeer

I know this sounds like a trivial question, folks, but it's about to drive me up the wall!

We bought our 2006 28' Safari new in March 2006. We have spent eight months in it since then, and almost every day I've had to get out the hammer and bang the pin on the lower door hinge back into place. I've tried peening the aluminum on the hinge casting with a center punch; I've tried Loktite screw glue; I've taken it to the dealer who peened the casting with even more force than I had used. Nothing works. The trailer is still in warranty, but before I ask them just to replace the ^&*( hinge, I wonder if anyone has any suggestions.

Thanks!

Jim

The most common cause of hinge pin displacement, is "lack of proper running gear balance."

Installing a roll pin thru the hinge pin will certainly stop it from coming out again, but that will not eliminate the need for proper running gear balance.

Loosening the hinge pin, is just one of many things vibration can effect.

Andy

[Auretrvr]

...but in our case (1983 310 MH) we have to stick to home remedies!

I used loctite but first applied the ($15.00) anaerobic surface prep.

We haven't been on the road yet but will be going to southern Illinois and eastern Missouri a couple of weeks, and if it does or doesn't work I'll add a post.

Thanks.

[boatdoc]

Originally Posted by Aerowood

Drill a 1/16 dia hole through the hinge and pin and install a 1/16 roll pin through the whole assembly

Hey Jim; Aerowood is giving you the best advise. The only thing I want to add is use of a Stainless Steel roll pin. Reason is that you cannot keep water out of the hinge, the steel will rust being high in carbon. If it ever rusts out you will have hard time drilling it out in order to replace it. SS will not bleed rust marks on your hinge. Thanks, "Boatdoc"

[10brink]

Since you can't keeps yours in, can anyone tell me a good method of getting mine OUT of a '67 Safari. Won't budge and I would like to replace it.

[Safari64]

I drilled a 1/16" hole and inserted stainless steel cotter pin from outside in (inaccessible with door closed).

Hinge pin hasn’t moved since and you can no longer simply knock out hinge pin and lift door out (antitheft device)

[wheel interested]

Let us know how it turns out. I know of three other 2006/2007/2008 Airstream owners besides myself and you, that this is happening to. Two have had dealers' fix without success. In fact that constitutes everyone that I personally know who have gotten a new Airstream.

[jspeer]

Thanks, folks. I'm going to try Aerowood's suggestion about the roll pin. Incidentally, for 10Brink, how about drilling a hole in the top of the hinge pin, threading it, screwing in an appropriate machine screw, and using that machine screw to pry out the hinge?

[brijbldr]

Had this happen to my 99 Safari and also to my 2004 Classic so I assume it is a common complaint. Got to carrying a hammer in the truck to tap it down at every stop. At one point it came out so far that it cleared the bottom hole and dirt got into the hole preventing the pin from seating all the way down (those dirt roads in Alaska are murder). Stopped by Jackson Center on my way home from Alaska this summer to have some service work taken care of and they drilled a hole and inserted a pin. They sealed the hole with the silver seam sealer (can't remember what it's called). Seems like a simple and effective remedy.

[Auretrvr]

I used the Permatex surface prep and red loctite products to secure the pin in our '83 310 motorhome and it has stayed put through a 500 mile vacation trip. I think for this to be effective you must clean and prep the pin first.