Shock absorbers

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by dhroberts

Foolish me. Found the shocks on each wheel when I took the wheels off today to get new tires installed. Will have to give some noise to my local RV tech! That said, with 45k on the rig, I will get new shocks next time in the shop. Sorry for the confusion; thanks for the patience.

No big deal. They are not visible, in general unless you crawl under there like I did, to find the missing NUT last week.

[featherbedder]

If in doubt about nuts coming off, apply red loctite to stud threads, or use nylock nuts.

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by featherbedder

If in doubt about nuts coming off, apply red loctite to stud threads.

I would not use red on anything like this. You will need heat to remove it, and you will melt the bushings on the shock. Blue maybe.

Serrated nut with washer will be pretty secure if it actually gets checked. I never do because I thought the INSPECTION people did this.

The problem I have is I dont know what size. And it seems like coarse, and fastenal does not have any corase thread.

[JJTX]

SKU 210129153
1/2"-13 18-8 Stainless Steel Serrated Flange Nut

SKU 37379
5/8"-18 Zinc Finish Case Hardened Serrated Flange Nut

--------------


Couple of each of these from fastenal and I'll see what one fits.

This shouldn't be hard but because airstream does not tell you if its fine or coarse thread, and nobody will answer the $@*&@ phone at the dealer....

[69SoulShine]

A dealer I spoke with yesterday looked it up and said what he shows is 1/2-13.
Now I had already found a match at Lowe’s that is 1/2-13. The one on the right came off AS, the one on left is from Lowe’s
I’ve also ordered some SS ones from Amazon.
I’m having some threading issues with the one from Lowe’s so haven’t fully installed. Hopefully the SS ones will fit better. I think this problem came from original install.
Had also contacted AS customer service but never heard back.

[JJTX]

Good to see that as a viable option. I will do that if what I have on order at fastenal does not fit right.

I was questioning the AS part book because I can't find the -18 thread anywhere in that size so it seems to be a 13.

I still, don't get how they can make this big of an error in their parts manual and I wonder if they are installing the wrong stuff at the factory and are galling the threads on the studs.

I should be able to find a washer to fit right locally as that fell-off on mine as well.

[69SoulShine]

Received email back from as customer service.
And yes I found washers to match a hardware store.

[JJTX]

Good info there. I'd really like to tell my dealer the dam nut fell off. They might want to know that """ Life-safety-item..... " fell off !

[JJTX]

SKU 210129153
1/2"-13 18-8 Stainless Steel Serrated Flange Nut

https://www.fastenal.com/product?query=210129153&fsi=1


This flange nut from fastenal, works. Though I'm a bit nervous to over tighten these but I just made close to the same amount of the stud protrude on this side as the other side and it seems snug enough.


Confirming on a 2018, it is NOT a 5/8 nut as indicated in that online manual on my 2018 single axle.

Its 1/2"x13 on mine.

I guess its just another pre-trip inspection Item before I head out is all. Sad because I thought the dealer checked all this yearly and I expected the suspension parts to stay intact for a year at least.

[rhensley]

Boy, talk about good timing on a thread!

Just was under the trailer doing post trip inspection, and found that one nut and washer on the RT Rear shock was missing in action. Checked the RT Front one and it was finger tight. Will check the left ones tomorrow.

Will now head off to Fastenal and pick up some nuts and washers to make things right. Don't know if I'll use Blue Loctite or just rely on the serrations to keep it affixed. Will definitely check them more often now.

I will say that most of our great American Interstates VACUUM big time, especially I-40. Had to replace my shocks on my truck with 26,000 miles on them, after a 5,600 mile trip to East Coast and back. It was brutal. The State/US highways are so much better, and with very few trucks.

Regards,
Ron

[Action]

Originally Posted by rhensley

Boy, talk about good timing on a thread!

Just was under the trailer doing post trip inspection, and found that one nut and washer on the RT Rear shock was missing in action. Checked the RT Front one and it was finger tight. Will check the left ones tomorrow.

Regards,
Ron

Wow, so you mean there is a loose nut on the road?

I believe I have seen one this morning on the highway!

Action

[rhensley]

Action, boy are you on a roll today......

Good one!

Regards,
Ron