Bolt Sheared Off on Slide Rod

rgatijnet1 wrote:

fcooper wrote:
If this is where the square drive rod mates to the round rod on a powergear electric slide, you want to find a grade 8 bolt long enough so that the shoulder of the bolt covers both areas where the shear stress is located. It's ok to use a few washers on the threads if required as long as you have clearance.

Once you find the right bolt, buy a few spares.

Realignment is fairly easy. Get the slide fully extended and use a large crescent wrench on the square tube. You should be able to flex it enough to allow the alignment and get the bolt/nut installed. I've had several break until I learned about the grade 8 bolt with the shoulder long enough to keep the threaded portion away from the shear stress area.

Fred

Fred,
I'm not familiar with the system but are you sure that it is a good idea to install a beefier bolt in a location that is supposed to "shear" if there is an obstruction? Isn't that like putting in a larger fuse in an electrical circuit? Perhaps if the bolt shears off, if it was designed that way, it is to protect from greater damage if it does not shear.

That was going to be my question... isn't the bolt SUPPOSED to be a shear point in case something gets in a bind? I'll try Fred's suggestion about using a crescent wrench to turn the shaft a bit to align the bolt holes, but I think I'll stick with the grade 6 bolt that came out of it.

**EDIT** Went back and looked at the bolt...it is a grade 8 bolt that was in it, so I'll replace it with a grade 8!