Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Slide out bolts (Read 2404 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Slide out bolts

Yahoo Message Number: 104861
Greetings all,

On my 06 Inspire there is a square shaft that runs from the slide out motor to the gear that moves the slide. At each end of these shafts there is a bolt to make the connection since the motor and gear shafts are round. I have recently had two of the bolts break, each on a different slide. Has anyone else had this problem, or tell me what may be causing these bolts to break? Thanks

George

06 Inspire 51639

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104862
I believe they are shear bolts so damage is not done to the mechanism when something binds

I will try to attach a Power Gear PDF

There are many more very helpful PDF's at the PowerGear web.

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104863
George

They are as stated shear bolts and I got 4 spears from Kevin Waite 541-953-6162 (Cell) kvn.wt.7629@...

There are 4 small bolt that hold the gear box in place that work there way out. At a CC rally last year there where about 5 coaches that had bolts you could turn by hand or laying in the bay. Mine I could turn all 4 by hand, removed them one at a time and put Blue Loctite on each bolt.
The big problem is the DS Front slide because it is a drop down slide, so where it drops down you have to keep it clean and pick up the edge of the carpet and vacuum where the 2 plastic runners are and then spray it with something like this to help on the up travel where all the torque is to get it up, must be a dry film spray. Hope this help.
Floyd 2006 Inspire 51744

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104864
George,

I have a 2005 CC Inspire so I have some experience with the bolts you are talking about.
They are shear bolts designed to break in an over torque situation to protect the gear box.
Occasionally one will shear for what seems to be no appearant reason.
Usually excessive torque is due to one of two situations, holding the slide control switch in after the slide has fully retracted, or your slides have not been lubricated in quite some time.
CAUTION, you cannot replace these bolts with typical hardware store bolts.
I suggest you order them from Kevin Waite 541-953-6162 or kin.wt7629@... order enough so you have a few spares.
If you are in a pinch you can replace the sheared bolt with a hardware store mild steel, not hardened, bolt.
It won't last to long, but it will get you buy until you get the proper bolts.
RJ

2005 Inspire #51264

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104867
Ron,

We have a 2005 Inspire that was plagued with shear bolt breaking. While in Oregon, I went to Kevin Wait and he replaced the Shear Bolts all the way around the coach. But, these were not ordinary bolts. These bolts were custom fitted so there is no slack in the receptacle of the bolt. The regular shear bolts are not machined to be a perfect, and therefore have some slack or movement in the receptacle.

We have gone five years without any issues.

Stan Canaris

2005 Inspire 25406
136,000 miles

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104869
Thanks Stan,

I guess that's why the replacement bolts that I got from Kevin have not sheared off.
Im glad i have a few spares.
RJ

2005 Inspire #51262

Re: Slide out bolts - I need to give you a better explaination---see

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104870
RON,

I did not explain as well as I should. Kevin, first found Shear Bolts that were slightly greater than the receptacle. He then Drill out the receptacle to match the Shear Bolt. NO SLACK

Ron, if you have any other questions just email.

Stan

Re: Slide out bolts - I need to give you a better explaination---see

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104871
Ok, I understand now. Perhaps Kevin can sent me a few of the oversized shear bolts. I'll keep them in stock until needed.
RJ

Re: Slide out bolts - I need to give you a better explaination---see

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104872
Having been through this battle before. Be sure you check the motor mount bolts inside the next compartment are tight. I found one bolt missing and the others loose which causes the motor to torque and this will break the shear bolts. I checked mine at least once a year. This solved my shear bolt breakage.

Jock Vargo

2005 Inspire
51428

Sold coach and bought a house.

Re: Slide out bolts - I need to give you a better explaination---see

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104873
Ron:

I have plenty of these IN STOCK if you or anyone else are in need.

Kevin Waite

541-953-6162 (Cell)

kvn.wt.7629@...

Re: Slide out bolts - I need to give you a better explaination---see

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104874
Just remember you have to drill the shear bolt hole to match the shear bolt .

Stan

Re: Slide out bolts - I need to give you a better explaination---see

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104877
Thanks Kevin,

Are these a little larger diameter than the ones I got from you previously? If they are what size drill will I need? RJ

2005 Inspire #51264

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104897
John

The Powergear bolts are not shear bolts, and the Powergear document you attach does not refer to them as such. The slide mechanism is protected from over torque/overload by an "auto reset current interrupter." In my coach the device is located in the 12 V breaker box in the fuel filter bay. Looks like a big fuse in a silver case. In my coach it is the fuse in the lower left side.

I have had these bolts break and have replaced them with grade 8 bolts. I have also had the interrupter fail in which case the slide will not operate. The interrupter is NAPA 782-3085 10 A.

George Harper
04 Allure 31093

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104898
George, one of the reasons not to use grade 8 bolts is the shoulder is not long enough and this allow the threads to be most of the area where the torque will be. The threads are the weakest part of the grade 8 bolts. The shear bolts do not have threads throughout the torque area. Power Gear does not recommend using grade 8 bolts for this reason. Just my experience with grade 8 bolts.

Jock Vargo

2005 Inspire (Sold 2 months ago)
51428 
.

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104914
Mr. Jock Vargo, we are very happy for you that you sold your coach. And we're very happy for us that you are continuing to help the rest of us who also turn to the blog for help and information. You've always been a very wise helper, so please keep on helping us all. Thank you very much.

Mary and Mike Frederick
06 Inspire 51784

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104915
Jack, I see your point that the threaded section of any bolt would be weaker than the non-threaded section. However, I checked the Power Gear manual ( Electric Slide-Out System Operations and Service Manual ) and the bolts that go through the square drive shaft to connect to the round motor shaft and those on the idler end, are not referred to as shear bolts. They are described as "Bolt, 1//4 x 20 x 1 7/16" (p. 34) and there are special instructions to make sure they are torqued properly to 14 ft/lbs (p. 82). They are also noted as "grade 8 bolts." There is further note that this is "special hardware." ( Tip Sheet #73 81-1288 rev. 9 03-02 ) It could be that they are special in that they have a longer neck to avoid the weakness that you point out. Nonetheless, they are not described as shear bolts.

That said, the manual does describe a roll pin that attaches the spur gears to the shaft. These are the gears that engage the geared room arms. They are described as shear pins, but my problem and I think that of many people on this forum, has been broken shaft bolts in the square drive shaft. I replaced mine with grade 8 and they have held for 7 years. You say that Power Gear does not recommend using grade 8 bolts. Do you have a reference for that?

George Harper
04 Allure 31093

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104923
George, That info was in a conversation I had with Power Gear probably seven or eight years ago when I needed part due a broken shaft where the shear pin is used. This was located above the D/S wheel well. Power Gear was the only place to get the parts I needed.

Jock Vargo

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104925
Jock is so right! While the grade 8 are better than the typical hardware store stuff, the actual shear pins are far more reliable and my hunch is they also minimize play which enlarges the shear pin holes in the shaft over time.

Michael

06 Inspire 360

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104932
Michael

Are you referring to the fasteners that attach the spur gears to the drive shaft, or the ones that attach the motor to the square drive shaft?

George Harper
04 Allure 31093

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104942
Michael

The only shear fasteners in the PowerGear system are the roll pins in the spur gears. The ones in the square drive shaft are special grade 8 bolts.

Based on the number of failures forum members have had with these bolts, I can see how they could have picked up the reputation as shear bolts. And, if PowerGear sourced them from China, maybe they should have called them shear bolts.

George Harper
04 Allure 31093
 

Re: Slide out bolts

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 104953
Bingo Jock. In my case that is exactly what was happening on one slide out. The wrong bolt was used and the shoulder was too short. In my case I fixed it by purchasing a grade 8 bold with the proper should length and cut off the excess thread to make it fit right. Problem has never reoccurred yet and am 5+ years on the fix.

Regards,
Steve

04 Inspire 51075