Equalizer Bolt Head Sheared Off

[nanannjen]

My husband just went out to clean up our Equalizer hitch and found that the head of the angle set bolt has sheared off completely. We have no idea how this happened. Has anyone ever heard of this? Any ideas on how to fix it? We had hoped to take the trailer out next weekend - I guess that's out of the question? We are not happy campers!

FWIW, we bought the hitch from the dealer in January 2013 with the trailer.

[BenK]

"Gorilla tight"...is all too common...

Best to use a torque wrench

Be sure to keep the grade bolts designed in

Up'ing them to higher grade may cause a problem during the 'failure' sequencing

Designed stuff has sequencing of failure during whatever is the worst situation
designed for

Or it could be just a cost saving thing from the OEM to not use higher grade fasteners

[Ron3rd]

Not a hard fix as you found out. Keep an eye on that bolt (the one that broke off) as they do tend to loosen up and will cause the side bolts to bend as the hitch head can move back and forth and eventually bend the bolts. I keep a box end wrench in the toolbox to check it from time to time. Make sure the side bolts are torqued per spec, which is 350 ft. lbs as I recall.

[nanannjen]

Thank you, everyone! That is exactly what happened. We called Equalizer and they told us how to take it apart. We messed up one of the shank bolts taking it out (I think that maybe excessive movement may have caused a problem, but we got it hammered out), and then it was a snap to unthread the set bolt. The set bolt is only a grade 5 (per Equalizer), and that's all we could find, but we got that and a new shank bolt (grade 😎 and we're good to go!

I agree that it was due to overtightening. We had the trailer at a service shop before our last trip and they noticed that the set bolt was loose, so they tightened it up - I guess a little too enthusiastically!

Anyway, it was much easier to fix than we anticipated, so it's all good!

[Ron3rd]

opnspaces wrote:
If the bottom adjustment bolt is sheared off then somebody way over tightened it at some point.

If you disassemble the head by pulling the side bolts you should be able to tap on the end of the bolt with a small hammer. Tapping should relieve the tension on the bolt and you will probably be able to unscrew it by hand.

My thought exactly. The only way that bolt can break off from the outside is from over tightening IMO. There's no force on the bolt at that area. The only forces are in the threaded hole. Get the bolt out and install a new grade 8 bolt and you're good to go.

[opnspaces]

If the bottom adjustment bolt is sheared off then somebody way over tightened it at some point.

If you disassemble the head by pulling the side bolts you should be able to tap on the end of the bolt with a small hammer. Tapping should relieve the tension on the bolt and you will probably be able to unscrew it by hand.

[3PuttNut]

here is the thread about my failure. It was caused by having a ball with too long of a threaded shank. in the 1st photo you can see the threads hanging down to low and the gouge in the side of the socket that receives the bar. Todd took one look at that photo and started the wheels in motion to get it fixed.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27912222.cfm

[3PuttNut]

When you call Equalizer, ask for Todd Munford. He will want you to send him some detailed pictures so be ready to exchange email addresses with him. He is great to work with and has been helping me resolve a dealer installation issue. Remember they are in Utah so they are in a different time zone.

[Tachdriver]

Can you post a link to a photo of the bolt? Perhaps there may be a simple solution.

[JAYHAWKERS]

Here is a youtube video of how to remove a broken screw/bolt using an extractor. The extractors and drill bits are inexpensive and available at Harbor Freight.video Hope this helps.

[Big_Katuna]

Over torqued and or defective part.

[nanannjen]

We are definitely planning on contacting them - of course, not open until Monday. Unfortunately, I think it's going to take a machine shop to get the old bolt out - not sure how it's going to be fixed!:(

We were mainly wondering if anyone else has heard of this happening.

[Tachdriver]

Jaxom wrote:
I would contact Equalizer about this and see what they have to say.

+1

I had a problem with another brand, called them the same day and they sent out replacement parts without questions.

Take photos as they may want to see for themselves. My brand (Husky) did me good.

[Jaxom]

I would contact Equalizer about this and see what they have to say.