frozen stabilizer jacks

[silver suz]

How do we unfreeze the stabilizer jacks on our 1971 AS? Should we just drill them off and buy new ones?
thanks siolver suz

[53flyingcloud]

silver suz

Is it possible for you to post some pictures of those jacks?
I reworked the jacks on my unit several years ago, I just gotta believe it's much easier to try cleaning them up than to just go thru the process of "drilling the old ones out". Speaking from experience, I know they can be a "bear" when they freeze up. But, once you clean the rust off and repaint the jacks. then apply alot of axle grease. They shouldl work perfectly each and, every time after that.
Just my .02


ciao

[silver suz]

Thank you very much for your reply. I will pass this on to my husband who asked me to make an enquiry. I really appreciate it. I'm home all day long. He's working at work and then comes home to work on the trailer. I have gotten him to read some of the threads and he is just delighted with the amount of information and comeradry found here! silver suz

[silver suz]

I am a computer idiot, and transposing pictures onto this site is something I am trying to learn. My younger son "showed me how" in about 20 seconds, so there is one picture of my trailer in the photo section! He was mumbling under his breath something about dinosaurs. Hey I'm glad I can type with 2 fingers! Will try to get that pic when he comes home from school.
There's always blackmail- no tv until the pics are on!!! I'm an evil mom ; ))

[53flyingcloud]

Silver Suz
Isn't that the way it is..The kids of today are so clever..lol
Nice picture`
Now you need to get up real close (under it) in order to see the conditions of the jacks.
Welcome to the forum~!!
ciao

[Navigator]

! nut, 2 screws and the jacks are off. Its alot easier to work on a bench. Use a good steebrush, or better yet, a small rotary wire wheel to get down in the channel where the acme screw is located. Best solvent is "Liquid Wrench" or equivelant (dissolves rust) from an auto parts store.
ps: am no stranger to neurotic ingrate children, a product of our progressive school system.
Dickl

[CO_Don]

Off is better and WD-40 is great stuff. Clean them, run them through full range of movement and clean & paint (minimize the paint in the moving areas) and re-install. They'll work a long time. If heavy rust or mechanical damage is there when they come off - replace.

[DPeakMD]

I'm a big fan of working on them on the trailer. It's quick and easy. On our new '78 I found they were all frozen. I gave all of the accessible areas a good soaking with "PB Blaster". That got them broken free. Once free I got underneath while my wife turned the crank and I sprayed them down with more PB Blaster. Pay particular attention to the areas where the shaft turns on the inboard and outboard sides. It's easy to really soak the threaded portion while it's turning. The rust literally melts away. At this point we could switch to a 1/2" cordless drill to do the turning and I applied a final coat of "Fluid Film" the following day. I love this product. It lasts for years even exposed to the elements. It inhibits rust and lubricates. I can turn the jacks with a wimpy 9.6v Makita cordless drill w/o any problems. I did this on my '72 about 2 years ago and have not had to re-apply yet.

-Dallas

[silver suz]

What is PB Blaster?

[cosmotini]

Silver Suz,

I never heard of it either, so I did a GOOGLE search and found a link to the manufacturer/distributor.

It appears to be a "family" of de-greasers and lubricants.

http://www.fastenal.com/shoponline/s....asp?CatID=532


Dennis

[silver suz]

Thanks a lot! My husband knows right where the store is and will get some tomorrow. Sorry about the pictures of the axles they are in the computer, but I still can't figure out how to get them here to the forum. Silver suz