Own A Newmar With Electric Slide Outs... Read THIS!

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by Sonic

Thanks for the info Vinny.
The TSB from Newmar Engineering no doubt specified those torque settings in order to generate enough clamping force to minimize movement,

Frankly, you are assigning too much credit. My bet would be on a table of torque values someone found on the internet when they wrote the TSB. Nearly all of us following this thread fixed the issue with Loctite long before the TSB was written. As mentioned, 6" wrench (in one hand), smoothly tightened, and Loctite is fine.

[harleyjt]

I used the german torque spec on mine - gootntite.
jt

[Sonic]

Originally Posted by Sonic

Have any of you been able to confirm that the torque specs in the TSB are applicable to prior year models? (in my case a 2014 Ventana 4037). My concern is that if different materials or hardware was used prior to the 2015 models, that the torque values in the TSB might be too high.
"Correction: Check for proper torque of all mounting bolts on all electric slideout motors. If any bolt is under-torqued, remove the bolt, and add blue LOCTITE® thread sealant to the bolt threads. Reinstall and torque all 5/16” bolts to 19 ft. lbs. and all 3/8” bolts to 33 ft. lbs"
Thanks,
Bill

Update: I contacted Newmar and they confirmed that the torque values specified in TSB 466 (see above) are applicable for the 2014 Ventana.

[mark.jane]

I had my 2008 Mountain Aire 4529 serviced by Pro Custom in Elkhart IN (recommended by Newmar Service). One of the things I asked them to check was the torque bushings, motor mounts, slide alignments, etc. They found all the slide motor mount bolts loose and tightened them.

I returned from Indiana to western New York (515 miles) and read this entire thread. I checked my bolts and all were loose again. I replaced the Grade 5 bolts with Grade 8 bolts (used flange head bolts for more gripping surface), installed the Nord Lock lock washers, applied Loctite to the bolt threads before installing them, and torqued the bolts to the TSB values. We're planning a trip in September to Maine and I'm very eager to check the bolts to see if they have moved at all (hopefully not).

The guys at Pro Custom were aware of the bolts coming loose but, they apparently weren't aware of the TSB; they just tightened everything up. I've brought the TSB to their attention.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread and other Newmar threads...I've learned so much a out my coach and how to maintain and fix it from the knowledge and experience everyone has shared.

Mark

[OverDo]

Mark,
That solution should end the problem. I did the same to our 3412 a year and a half ago and no loose bolts since.

[handstjg]

Originally Posted by mark.jane

I had my 2008 Mountain Aire 4529 serviced by Pro Custom in Elkhart IN (recommended by Newmar Service). One of the things I asked them to check was the torque bushings, motor mounts, slide alignments, etc. They found all the slide motor mount bolts loose and tightened them.

I returned from Indiana to western New York (515 miles) and read this entire thread. I checked my bolts and all were loose again. I replaced the Grade 5 bolts with Grade 8 bolts (used flange head bolts for more gripping surface), installed the Nord Lock lock washers, applied Loctite to the bolt threads before installing them, and torqued the bolts to the TSB values. We're planning a trip in September to Maine and I'm very eager to check the bolts to see if they have moved at all (hopefully not).

The guys at Pro Custom were aware of the bolts coming loose but, they apparently weren't aware of the TSB; they just tightened everything up. I've brought the TSB to their attention.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread and other Newmar threads...I've learned so much a out my coach and how to maintain and fix it from the knowledge and experience everyone has shared.

Mark

This seems to me the best fix I've seen...the grade 8 looks like an overkill especially holding an aluminum housing bit who cares... check them once a year and call it a done deal... great job...

[woodosgood]

I checked the slide out motor bolts on the bedroom slide. They are not as accessible as other slides, so I included some photos.

Remove the two carpeted panels on each side of the bed (each is attached with one screw).

After talking to Newmar, I substituted the original lock washer with a "star" washer. I added the flat washer because the slot in the black motor mount seemed too big for just a lock washer.

The torque setting on these 5/16 bolts is 19 ft/lbs.

[tjplue1984]

Originally Posted by woodosgood

I checked the slide out motor bolts on the bedroom slide. They are not as accessible as other slides, so I included some photos.



Remove the two carpeted panels on each side of the bed (each is attached with one screw).



After talking to Newmar, I substituted the original lock washer with a "star" washer. I added the flat washer because the slot in the black motor mount seemed too big for just a lock washer.



The torque setting on these 5/16 bolts is 19 ft/lbs.

Thank you for sharing this information and the pictures.

[VP Chianese]

Originally Posted by woodosgood

I checked the slide out motor bolts on the bedroom slide. They are not as accessible as other slides, so I included some photos.

Remove the two carpeted panels on each side of the bed (each is attached with one screw).

After talking to Newmar, I substituted the original lock washer with a "star" washer. I added the flat washer because the slot in the black motor mount seemed too big for just a lock washer.

The torque setting on these 5/16 bolts is 19 ft/lbs.

Hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but unless you LocTite them as well they will come loose again. Proven fact. Sorry. LocTite or Wire Ties are the only proven answers.

[woodosgood]

Thanks for pointing that out. I also put Loctite on them, but forgot to mention that in my summary.

[Canuck53]

So is the Nord loc washers another level of protection?

What are the 2 sizes of washers is it 5/16 and 3/8?

Thanks

[woodosgood]

Both washers are 5/16" I used the star washer based on a recommendation from Newmar to replace the original split lock washer.

[VP Chianese]

Originally Posted by Canuck53

So is the Nord loc washers another level of protection?

What are the 2 sizes of washers is it 5/16 and 3/8?

Thanks

Any flat washer is fine as it's purpose here is to supply something for the head of the bolt to rest upon because the slots for adjustments are wide. This bolt head is 1/2" and the ones on the bigger slides are 9/16" but I believe the slide bracket is the same motors are smaller thus smaller bolts.

Star washers really don't have any more surface to grip than the Nord-lock as there is a lot of empty space due to the slide openings.

It seems that the LocTite solution is the work around and it seems to be holding for all of the production after October 2016. There have been no reported incidents in those units.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by VP Chianese

Any flat washer is fine as it's purpose here is to supply something for the head of the bolt to rest upon because the slots for adjustments are wide. This bolt head is 1/2" and the ones on the bigger slides are 9/16" but I believe the slide bracket is the same motors are smaller thus smaller bolts.

Star washers really don't have any more surface to grip than the Nord-lock as there is a lot of empty space due to the slide openings.

It seems that the LocTite solution is the work around and it seems to be holding for all of the production after October 2016. There have been no reported incidents in those units.

Same here. No star or split/lock washers. Flat washers to fit bolts. Loctite on all bolts.