SUCCESS removing frozen lock nuts on HappiJac turnbuckles

BradW wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
Impact wrench?

Nope, it's a jam nut on a long threaded stud with a hook on the end, hooked to the truck.

You can fashion a redneck shadetree impact wrench of sorts. It actually works pretty good.

1) First, soak them down as mentioned above for a day or so. PB Blaster is pretty good stuff.

2) Then get two 3/4" (mine are 3/4") combination wrenches. One will be used as a wrench and the other will be used as a hammer. Don't use a real hammer, use the wrench because you want speed, not weight.

3) Put one of the wrenches on the hex nut and hold it in place with you left hand (assuming you are right handed) by grasping around the wrench and nut. Leave the other end of the wrench exposed.

4) Take the other wrench and strike the exposed end of the wrench in your left hand as hard and sharply as you can. Make sure you are turning the nut in the correct direction. Right tightly, lefty loosey. Hang on to both wrenches so they don't go flying and knock your teeth out.

I have often worked like that, but I grab out near the end of the wrench, put twist on then hit between hand and wrench. I use a hammer, because it is easier to control the hit when using right tool.

Grit dog wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
Impact wrench?

Nope, it's a jam nut on a long threaded stud with a hook on the end, hooked to the truck.

You can fashion a redneck shadetree impact wrench of sorts. It actually works pretty good.

1) First, soak them down as mentioned above for a day or so. PB Blaster is pretty good stuff.

2) Then get two 3/4" (mine are 3/4") combination wrenches. One will be used as a wrench and the other will be used as a hammer. Don't use a real hammer, use the wrench because you want speed, not weight.

3) Put one of the wrenches on the hex nut and hold it in place with you left hand (assuming you are right handed) by grasping around the wrench and nut. Leave the other end of the wrench exposed.

4) Take the other wrench and strike the exposed end of the wrench in your left hand as hard and sharply as you can. Make sure you are turning the nut in the correct direction. Right tightly, lefty loosey. Hang on to both wrenches so they don't go flying and knock your teeth out.

And when you get it un-stuck, use anti-seize on the threads. We've had the same set of quick loads for 12 years now and I do a little lube and maint at the begining of the season every year,

hedgehopper wrote:
For the first time since we bought our camper several years ago and had it installed on our truck, I tried to loosen the lock nuts on the HappiJac turnbuckles.

I'd like to take the rig back to the dealer and have them break the nuts loose (because they overtightened them?).

Not over tightened. Just rusted on from lack of maintenance.
Did you get them loose yet?

Dick_B wrote:
Impact wrench?

Nope, it's a jam nut on a long threaded stud with a hook on the end, hooked to the truck.

Impact wrench?

x2 on PBBlaster and leave it on at least overnight.
Than, after successful removal. wipe off aggressive penetrant and use dry lubricant.

If it’s froze on, you may round off the nut with a crescent hammer.
Get ya a line wrench for the jam nut. Open end wrench on the body. If it don’t go and penetrating oil hasn’t worked, then heat the jam nut with a Mapp gas. Use another pair of wrenches as cheater bars (slide a box wrench over the end of the other wrenches) and let er rip.


Then oil your nutz!

pent oil let sit a day then some heat. helps if you have bubba give them a twsit.

If you are referring to the spring-loaded cylinders, the HappiJacs have been on my camper for ~14 years and they are rusty. they get removed only once or twice each year. A couple squirts of PB Blaster over a couple days, and then a pair of 3/4 open end wrenches placed closely together so you can grab them and 'make a fist' has always freed the top nut for me. Once loose, I've also chased the threads with a die and greased the threads on assembly.