Engine cover bolt options I need some

[1raptor]

does anyone know of an option for the bolts that hold down the engine covers. see picture and is there a different name for the engine covers? whoever decided these should have a standard head should be kicked in the head what a pita. thanks

[Skip426]

Going to need more info on your Freightliner ; year ? and/ or a picture of what the screw shown holds down.
I've been all over my F/L chassis for 7 years and the only place I've seen anything like that screw, is on the furnace access panel ; a Suburban part.

[1raptor]

Originally Posted by Skip426

Going to need more info on your Freightliner ; year ? and/ or a picture of what the screw shown holds down.
I've been all over my F/L chassis for 7 years and the only place I've seen anything like that screw, is on the furnace access panel ; a Suburban part.

The bolts hold down the covers over the engine in the closet and under the bed. 2006 fleetwood expedition on xcs chassis. I don't know if the original bolts are freightliner or fleetwood but with the standard head they suck to install and remove I think something with a torx or anything else would be better. Thanks I can get pics of the covers if needed.

[Skip426]

Above the frame rails would be a Fleetwood item .
I don't know what the screw goes into , but maybe something from a mid 80's Dodge B van engine cover hold down would work as a replacement .
Those had both a blade and socket head, but may have too large a thread to be of use.
I don't have a picture of a Freightliner bare chassis , but here's a Spartan bare chassis photo , if it's not in this photo then the chassis maker didn't supply it.

[1raptor]

Thanks can a moderator please move this to the fleetwood forum. Thanks

[Scarab0088]

Thread has been moved.

Thanks for contributing.

[Vato]

Originally Posted by 1raptor

does anyone know of an option for the bolts that hold down the engine covers. see picture and is there a different name for the engine covers? whoever decided these should have a standard head should be kicked in the head what a pita. thanks

The battery cover (step) on my Terra uses the same bolts (screws).

They fasten to a "Speed Nut" type fastener, a very thin almost sheet metal panel

Maybe flexible enough to replace with a 1/4 Phillips or Torx?

Fastenal?

[RickFlair]

Originally Posted by 1raptor

does anyone know of an option for the bolts that hold down the engine covers. see picture and is there a different name for the engine covers? whoever decided these should have a standard head should be kicked in the head what a pita. thanks

I didnt see a replacement bolt option I have the same problem. Took an hour to get these out

[carybosse]

I can't tell enough about the threads to comment, maybe a picture from the side, rather than perspective would help, but not guaranteeing.

I would probably go to my stash in the garage and find a replacement. I snapped a bolt on my popup when I was replacing the lift gear motor, had grabbed my wallet to run to Home Depot, then decided to check my inventory. In less time than it would have taken me to drive there, I had the unit back together.

I would take one of the bolts to Home Depot or Ace or Lowes (Ace is more likely to have someone to help you), and poke around their bolts till I figured out what the correct diameter/thread pitch was and pick out my replacements. I would probably look for button head "allen" style bolts. Be careful, probably easy to over-torque any allen or torx style screw used in place of the OEM.

Of course, if you could remove one of those speed nut fasteners, you could possibly find a replacement that fit it.

Another option might be to look at an Autozone or similar for trim screws. You might get stuck with a Phillips head, but that is probably better than the slotted style shown.

[wadewit]

the two inch long bolt is Southco Fasteners Fast Lead Captive Screw probably part no 12-11-809-14. Problem is on my REV 2019 HR Admiral 34J, for the engine cover application, the unthreaded part of screw is so long that it goes below the threading plate. i.e. you can't get them back out with out prying the bolt up while turning it until the threads catch the plate. Also don't need screw/bolt longer than about inch to inch and 1/4 for the job Brilliant engineeging REV!. Looking for a replacement. May have to go with ugly lag bold that works with the plate for now. Same bolt is used on stairs that cover battery compartment. I ground an old gasket scrapper in to approximate curve of a quarter to make a tool to more efficiently turn the things.

- ww

[mack73]

They make screwdrivers for those heads - slightly better but not amazing. Still a pain in the butt, but maybe a little less cursing with the proper screwdriver

https://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-Quarte.../dp/B079QN3RSF

[RRR]

Try a search for drag link sockets.

I have read that is what you want:
https://amazon.com/Stanley-Proto-J54...s%2C159&sr=8-1

and someone else says this one:
https://amazon.com/Stanley-Proto-J52...s%2C159&sr=8-2

[wadewit]

found the perfect tool at Lowe's for $3.99! see pic. Curve and width fits the slot profile in the speed bolt. And bonus - it's a multiuse tool with a lifetime replacement guarrentee!

With a bit of alignment adjusting and WD40, the speed bolts work okay in the steps. I replaced the speed bolts around engine cover with inch and a half long 5/16th lag bolts & fender washers. Thread was close enough to spin w/o bind in the speed bolt plate but tightens up with tension and holds.

[Vato]

Originally Posted by wadewit

found the perfect tool at Lowe's for $3.99! see pic. Curve and width fits the slot profile in the speed bolt. And bonus - it's a multiuse tool with a lifetime replacement guarrentee!

With a bit of alignment adjusting and WD40, the speed bolts work okay in the steps. I replaced the speed bolts around engine cover with inch and a half long 5/16th lag bolts & fender washers. Thread was close enough to spin w/o bind in the speed bolt plate but tightens up with tension and holds.

Can it be used it to open my beer(s) before or after the repair?