More AS Poor Workmanship - Check Your Shock Nuts

[Lamar]

Probably not a bad idea to check you shock absorber nuts to be sure they are tight. While having my tires replaced they showed me two right shock nuts were missing and probably had been for quite some time. The left two were fine. This on my 2020 GT 27FBT.

[SpinWhite]

I put some Locktite blue on the studs and nuts. The nuts haven't come loose for the last year+.

[GetawA-S]

Yup, we picked up our trailer (2020 23FB FC) Thursday from the local shop. A washer and nut were missing from the front driver’s side shock.
There was significant tire wear (bald all around) on the inside of the front passenger tire. It needs replacement after 10K miles. We’re not sure what is up with that, but everyone needs to poke their head under the trailer for the complete picture.
Be safe out there!

[Rich Jenkins]

Thanks for this post.

For those of us who are not extremely mechanically inclined (and not getting younger ) please could someone explain where to look, and what, exactly, to look for?

I can see the picture in the OP, but not knowing what it should look like, it's hard to tell what's missing?

[Hermes]

Originally Posted by Lamar

Probably not a bad idea to check you shock absorber nuts to be sure they are tight. While having my tires replaced they showed me two right shock nuts were missing and probably had been for quite some time. The left two were fine. This on my 2020 GT 27FBT.

Same thing happened to me, one went missing. As the chock arm moves up and down it rotates on that axis and ends up loosening the nut.

Anybody know what the torque should be on those nuts?

[Colossus]

Originally Posted by Rich Jenkins

Thanks for this post.

For those of us who are not extremely mechanically inclined (and not getting younger ) please could someone explain where to look, and what, exactly, to look for?

I can see the picture in the OP, but not knowing what it should look like, it's hard to tell what's missing?

I’ll repost the picture from above. In red I’ve circled where a nut is missing, you see a gold but in the lower part of the picture, should be a nut on the black threaded bolt that’s circled. Im not sure of the torque spec, but you can call the mothership and request that information.

Can’t help with the fountain of youth, but if you find it, I’m one PM away. Lol

[Jeff7176]

Thanks for the heads up. Mine were both in need of tightening. One was extremely loose.

[pjmarkham]

Same here. Got under the trailer to repair a brake wire and the shock nut and washer were missing. I replaced and used a little loctite.

[Life is a Highway]

I always check the wheel lug luts, Never though to look at a shock nut. I’ll check it before our next trip.

Thanks

[banderabob]

Another item to be checked periodically. But with all due respect, two commenters reported loose nuts on 2020 models.

A. Isn’t it possible that these came loose as part of usage?
B. I don’t think AS makes the shocks, so if that’s the case, let’s not put the blame on AS, any more than blaming AS for an issue with Dexter axles.
C. If others report issues with 2020 models, then somehow the shock manufacturer needs to be apprised for corrective action.

[Knotflying]

Originally Posted by banderabob

Another item to be checked periodically. But with all due respect, two commenters reported loose nuts on 2020 models.

A. Isn’t it possible that these came loose as part of usage?
B. I don’t think AS makes the shocks, so if that’s the case, let’s not put the blame on AS, any more than blaming AS for an issue with Dexter axles.
C. If others report issues with 2020 models, then somehow the shock manufacturer needs to be apprised for corrective action.

This^^^^^

I found mine were loose, none missing when adding the 3" lift. I believe a spec lock washer would be a logical option.

That being said I will ding AS in their quality control overall in what they manufacture and build today. Dollars to doughnuts, not worth it. Good news is i predict many used units hitting the market for a song if the economy continues to struggle long term.

Sorry for the thread jack. Now back to RV trader...

[John Ware]

Originally Posted by Hermes

Same thing happened to me, one went missing. As the chock arm moves up and down it rotates on that axis and ends up loosening the nut.

Anybody know what the torque should be on those nuts?

It would be hard to put a torque number on these because they don't seat metal to metal. AS shocks don't use a sleeve inside the rubber grommet, but use a bolt with a shoulder to act as one. To tighten to the shoulder would squeeze the rubber grommet too much. They use a serrated nut for a lock nut, but a crimped ended one would be better ( a nylon lock nut would not engage on the short bolt). A good idea would be to do as others have suggested and put some loctite on the threads.

[Life is a Highway]

Went over to the storage unit and checked the shock nuts. They were not finger loose or falling off but they were not tight. They tightened down easily with a 6 inch 3/4 open end box wrench. Took several turns to snug them back down.

I wish I had the torque spec.

Also I have never been happy with the 4 shock absorber positions ( almost horizontal ) after the dexter lift kit was installed. Looks like it they needs q 2 inch inch drop down adapter spacer for the proper angle. Anyone ever find something that works?

[mojo]

[QUOTE=banderabob;2608677]Another item to be checked periodically. But with all due respect, two commenters reported loose nuts on 2020 models.

B. I don’t think AS makes the shocks, so if that’s the case, let’s not put the blame on AS, any more than blaming AS for an issue with Dexter axles.


Airstream assembles the shocks to the axles and frame so yes, they could be to blame. But it's your responsibility to check the running gear once out the door.

[WillieD]

Same here, got the 19CB Bambi 2000 and sure enough, missing washer and Nut. I had to order it to replace the Nut.

[emaldonado]

thanks @Lamar for the alert. here are the details for the nut & washer ... got them at homedepot. we've got a 2018 28ft fc.

[John Ware]

Originally Posted by emaldonado

thanks @Lamar for the alert. here are the details for the nut & washer ... got them at homedepot. we've got a 2018 28ft fc.Attachment 418329Attachment 418328

1/2- 13? My FC has 3/8-16s on it. It came with serrated flanged nuts, but crimped end or thin nylon lock nuts would be better.

[Rich Jenkins]

Just checked mine (2022 23GT FBT, picked up March at Colonial) and all four nuts (3/4") were tight.

I gave all four of them a snug with the wrench. I'd estimate they were in the region of 18-25 lb ft, judging by feel alone (comparison is based on install torque on a Porsche or BMW factory oil filter housing, which is in this vicinity). I could see it squeeze the rubber a bit, so I left it as was, with no more than an added 1/16 of a turn, at most.

Definitely something to put on the watch list.

Appreciate this thread.

[banderabob]

Just a follow-up to my earlier post as to whether this was a QC issue, or “it happens over time” issue. I checked our 2016 FC25FBT this morning. Three of four took a nudge of tightening. The nut was missing on the fourth, the shock maybe 1/4th off the bolt. By chance, I had a nut and washer that fit. No idea how long this has existed, we’ve put about 13,000 miles on since acquiring a year ago.

[Eddie B]

This month - While having warranty work on our 2020 Globetrotter, the observant Airstream Service Center (mothership) technician noticed the one nut missing on the shock and one brake wire cut. The fact that this particular brake “looked brand new” since it had not been used over the last two years and the seeming trend of “one” shock nut missing makes me suspect something happened before delivery. I highly recommend going to Jackson Center for work. I debated about the long drive from Texas but it was worth it. We were able to experience stellar professionalism from the service center that’s been lacking from our Texas-based Airstream dealer. Also take the factory tour and visit the museum. Every issue we had was remedied at the Jackson Center team. If this was a mistake on the assembly line, they will figure it out - as they know exactly who built or assembled what part on what airstream on a certain day. Great initial post (thank you) and if there is a trend - they will find it.