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Old 07-12-2022, 12:06 PM   #1
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Check your Shock Nuts!!

Please, if you are at all handy, check your shock absorber connections between the frame and the axle! There are two studs with nuts for each shock. Recently I had read where someone's shock came disconnected and caused damage. So I made a note to myself to check my shocks on my 2020 27' FBQ. Low and behold, I was missing a nut as well and fortunately, my shock was still loosely connected to the stud bolt! (See Pic #1) Sorry the pics are turned 90 degrees!

Observing the other shocks I saw that Airstream uses a flat washer and a "shoulder lock nut" which is not very effective, especially since you are tightening against a rubber bushing. So I replaced all the nuts with "Stop Nuts" which uses nylon on the end of the threads to lock in the nut. And of course LocTite! (See Pic #2)

The forward frame attachment nut is quite easy to access (Pic #3).
The rear axle attachment nut is a little trickier, but quite accessible if you don't mind laying on the ground underneath. Note that these sit between the tire and frame. You can inspect visually by looking between the tires. Pic #4 shows the replaced nut and washer and the rubber bushing squeezing out slightly. All for under $3.00!

Now I am ready for the Rally and traveling to 6 Atlantic Canadian Provinces!
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Old 07-12-2022, 02:54 PM   #2
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Nuts

Here's what I put on mine. The studs on mine are too short for a standard length nylon nut.
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Old 07-12-2022, 10:14 PM   #3
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Great solution! I'm my case, the standard sized lock nut worked fine.

Anyone else find their shock nuts loose?
What solutions have you found to work best?
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Old 02-24-2023, 07:58 AM   #4
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Shock nut size and thread needed

Well We find ourselves in the same predicament with two shock nuts missing on one side of our 21GT27FBQ. As other have done replacing all with nylock nuts is the solution. On that note, does anyone have the nut size and thread to replace these? Do the nuts need to be shallow since it doesn't look to be much thread to work with? Maybe blue locktight? John Ware has the suction I am looking for.
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Old 02-24-2023, 08:28 AM   #5
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I had the same situation on my 2006 Bambi about a year into ownership so it seems to be an ongoing problem. Same solution, new nylon locknut on both sides.
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Old 02-24-2023, 09:15 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kawboy01 View Post
well we find ourselves in the same predicament with two shock nuts missing on one side of our 21gt27fbq. As other have done replacing all with nylock nuts is the solution. On that note, does anyone have the nut size and thread to replace these? Do the nuts need to be shallow since it doesn't look to be much thread to work with? Maybe blue locktight? John ware has the suction i am looking for.
1/2"x13 thin lock nuts and blue loctite wouldn't hurt any. The shocks don't have a metal insert to tighten against and you could overtighten against the rubber grommet deforming it and defeating it's purpose.
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Old 02-24-2023, 09:16 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnco View Post
I had the same situation on my 2006 Bambi about a year into ownership so it seems to be an ongoing problem. Same solution, new nylon locknut on both sides.
It’s interesting to me that a 19’ Bambi would even have shocks… while my 22’ has none. Is your 19’ equipped with a Dexter internal/torqflex axle?
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Old 02-24-2023, 05:13 PM   #8
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Yep, 2006 19' Safari came with shocks and the Dexter Axle.
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Old 03-08-2023, 12:31 PM   #9
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Thank you for posting this. I just checked mine and one of the nuts not easy to see was 3/4 of the way off. I tightened it and ordered stainless thin lock nuts.
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Old 03-09-2023, 07:45 AM   #10
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We bought the SS 1/2-13 thin locknuts from Amazon and replaced all the nuts after finding 2 gone and the rest loose. Another fix/upgrade complete, Thanks for the info. BTW we are 1000 plus miles unto our trip and all is good!
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Old 07-21-2023, 07:21 PM   #11
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2022 fc 25rbt, missing 1 upper nut on a wheel that wore uneven and had to be replaced after 12000 miles.
Hoping this fixes it!

Thanks to the guy who told me about this at the Rock Springs rally!
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Old 07-22-2023, 07:40 AM   #12
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Not Shocking

I checked my shocks this morning. None missing the nut. However, 7/8 needed to be snugged. Thanks for all who posted.


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Old 11-07-2023, 03:06 PM   #13
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Doing end of season inspection found 2 of the 4 upper shock mount nuts missing.

Here is how it should look:



And here is what I found on both right sided wheels:

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Old 11-07-2023, 05:14 PM   #14
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This should be reported by all of those with the issue to NHTSA.gov. This should be addressed by Airstream under pressure from NHTSA.
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Old 11-08-2023, 10:20 AM   #15
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Thanks to all for this thread. I will check before next outing.
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Old 11-08-2023, 10:22 AM   #16
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Check mine before the last trip out. The axles were replaced at JC in 2019. Found two missing...
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