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rockhillmanor's avatar
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
May 06, 2013

Bolt snapped off but from where?? FOUND IT~ TKS#40FAN!

I'm just posting this in case the same thing happened to someone else and can say yup been there done that and this is what it is.

I was backing a friends MH down a very long road for him. I had started the approach moved up and turned the wheels and put it in reverse and heard a snap noise. First sounded like I ran something over but as I continued back I saw a bolt laying in front on the ground!

Where it is sheared off looks fresh so I can only assume it's from his MH. I have spent hours under neath the front of that MH and can not find where this bolt can be from. I thought maybe steering but can not find any opening where this bolt came from.

I continued to back it up, had to. Brakes work and the steering is still working. Albeit I did not full turn the wheels on the way back. But we both agree we shouldn't move it again until we find out where this came from!

Any ideas where there might be a 'not in full sight' place this came from?
E450, V10, 31ft not sure what year I think around 98.


50 Replies

  • _40Fan's avatar
    _40Fan
    Explorer
    May 27, 2013
    I know I wasn't the first to say it was the gear box bolt, but I couldn't keep from pushing the point until it was confirmed it wasn't. Glad to help.
  • bucky's avatar
    bucky
    Explorer II
    May 27, 2013
    Back on the 7th, ColoradoRon called it. On the 11th, #40Fan spoke about how to check the very same thing without even getting dirty. Are you moving in on the guys wife? :)
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    May 26, 2013
    #40Fan wrote:
    Need to really look at the steering box. Here is a picture of the bolts holding the box on.

    Edit: Now that I compare this picture with yours, they do look different. This picture is off of a F250.

    #40 FAN

    >>>THANK YOU.......THANK YOU.....THANK YOU
    I have been UNDER that MH for days and days, UNDER the MH. Looking and feeling for bolts on the brakes, rotors, steering rods, drivetrain, rear end leafs etc etc.

    I looked at your post today and immediately walked out and stood upright by the wheel well on the drivers side and saw this. :S:S

    Also note that one of the other bolts is missing the washer.:R

    God love the senior couple that own this MH they are STILL out there doing the happy dance as I type this.:C
  • _40Fan's avatar
    _40Fan
    Explorer
    May 15, 2013
    Need to really look at the steering box. Here is a picture of the bolts holding the box on.



    Edit: Now that I compare this picture with yours, they do look different. This picture is off of a F250.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    May 14, 2013
    Yeah, you're in between a social/moral rock and a hard place with the goings on. If you can, an inspection of the brakes and caliper mounting may make everyone feel better about the situation.

    Maybe you should mount that bolt on a plaque, hang it on your shop wall---"The Missing Bolt"....?:B
  • Dave_H_M's avatar
    Dave_H_M
    Explorer II
    May 14, 2013
    :h I think it is time to throw that bolt in the scrap iron bucket and let her rip.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    May 14, 2013
    westend wrote:
    One more observation that may help: It looks like someone had either an open end or Crescent wrench on that bolt, it looks like the edges of two opposing sides on the head are galled. Has the owner had any work done on the vehicle recently?


    Nice catch sure does look like someone cranked down on it.

    They had the calipers replaced and front brake lines over a year ago.
    OEM brake lines but not the calipers. And several years ago emergency brake which is the type that is in the drive train and that guy cleaned one rear brake and put it back on. Both done on the road at semi truck repair shops. Brakes seemed real hard to me.

    Really would like to hang this up but that means they'd have to have it towed which would really be a crunch on their budget. And then they'd have to pay a tech $$ per hour to look, just like what I have already done. I'll give them another day or two of my time to try and help.
  • RedG's avatar
    RedG
    Explorer
    May 14, 2013
    rockhillmanor wrote:
    westend wrote:
    Low carbon Grade 8 or 9 bolt, it was used to fasten something that endures heavy torque. The collar should mate to one part of what is fastened. This is starting to drive me crazy, I hope the bolt didn't come off a road grader.


    Thanks for identifying it.

    When I heard the snap I first thought I ran over something real hard. Didn't give it much thought except maybe for a future pending flat tire. I moved up and then approached my backing again and got out to see how close I was to a ditch where I was backing down. That's when I saw the bolt laying there in the street right where I had stopped, turned the wheel and put it in reverse.

    You want to think that it was from another vehicle but what are the laws of average that you hear the snap and there lies a broken bolt?

    That road is right down from the public works building where there are a lot of heavy equipment going back and forth. Maybe I'll take the bolt down there and ask if they are missing one!! :B:B

    I guess it's possible that you could have ran over the bolt with the edge of the tire kicking it up to the underside making the snap noise and it didn't come from the coach at all.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    May 14, 2013
    One more observation that may help: It looks like someone had either an open end or Crescent wrench on that bolt, it looks like the edges of two opposing sides on the head are galled. Has the owner had any work done on the vehicle recently?

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