slide out shear pins breaking

lincolncent · 08-09-2010, 04:18 PM

2007 35' DS Georgie Boy MH, front slide has broken 8 shear pins (grade 8 bolt) 1/4" 1.5 inch in length. Nothing is binding or out of alignment but the coupling has wallowed out where the bolt goes through it. The coupling is located between the slideout electric drive motor and the main gear that propels the slides motion. Any suggestions?

DESERTJIM · 08-09-2010, 05:04 PM

Been bitten by the same dog! I have a 18' slider in my Tradewinds (I think 18, maybe 16) and I had to replace one a year or so ago. I just drove an old titanium drill bit in it. Recently, another one sheared which holds the square tube shaft to the round shaft on which the gear is connected. I did the same thing. While doing this today, I went ahead and took care of the one I replaced a year ago. This may not be the thing to do, but if it works, it works. The original replacement pins certainly aren't all that strong and, as you say, they may not even fit properly after wear.

Regards,

Jim

**RJay** · 08-09-2010, 05:25 PM

Who is the manufacturer of you slideouts.

lincolncent · 08-10-2010, 09:48 AM

Thanks for the input, I haven't determined who manufactured it as of yet, as you may well know it is not located in the most convenient place to get to on the coach, I have to extend the hydraulic lifts all the way up and crawl under the thing. And even with that there is a gazillion things that get in the way of the mechanism itself. I am going to purchase a titanium bolt or the like from a metal fastener outfit nearby. I also am going to have a new coupling fabricated from my buddy at the welding shop. I think this will do better than dealing with someone hundreds of miles away trying to match up an obsolete part # with my meager description of a worn out part. I might add, my square coupling is splitting but close inspection shows that it is pretty thin metal for what it is having to accomplish with the movement of the slide unit. Wish me luck and I will post my findings. David

lincolncent · 08-10-2010, 09:53 AM

Desert Jim, We may have the same set up, do you know who manufactured yours? Mine has the round shaft coming out of the electric motor that slides into a coupling, round on one end and square on the other, with another pin in the square part. The square side has never broken. David

Elkhartjim · 08-10-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lincolncent

Thanks for the input, I haven't determined who manufactured it as of yet, as you may well know it is not located in the most convenient place to get to on the coach, I have to extend the hydraulic lifts all the way up and crawl under the thing. And even with that there is a gazillion things that get in the way of the mechanism itself. I am going to purchase a titanium bolt or the like from a metal fastener outfit nearby. I also am going to have a new coupling fabricated from my buddy at the welding shop. I think this will do better than dealing with someone hundreds of miles away trying to match up an obsolete part # with my meager description of a worn out part. I might add, my square coupling is splitting but close inspection shows that it is pretty thin metal for what it is having to accomplish with the movement of the slide unit. Wish me luck and I will post my findings. David

Just a word of caution. Place jack stands suitable for the load under the mh. Never depend on the leveling jacks to hold it off you.

Another thought, if you're shearing grade 8 bolts I would be looking for the cause. Thats a dang strong "shear pin".

Please be careful, that sucker will do more than knock the wind out of you if its sitting on your chest.

radams · 08-10-2010, 12:11 PM

Elkhartjim has a good point about the shear pin. Those are intended to give way before something else much worse happens. Kinda like a fuse in an electrical circuit. Something is causing that to happen and it's not because the pin (bolt) is too weak.

paz · 08-10-2010, 05:15 PM

Yes, be careful designing a stronger coupling. If there is something hanging up and the bolt doesn't break, you could strip the gears in the gearmotor that drives the slide. Your description sounds like you have a Power Gear slide mechanism, and I hear those motors are expensive.

Clifftall · 08-10-2010, 05:46 PM

"Elkhartjim has a good point about the shear pin."

Do you know how long I've been waiting for Jim to have a good point?

( HE HE HE )

Ernie n Tara · 08-10-2010, 08:21 PM

I had this problem with a 2006 Georgie Boy and found that the pins also had "wallowed" out the sleeve (I had simple pins w/cotter keys - bad news if they have any play at all). My solution was a 1/4-inch grade 8 bolt as well, but I put lock washers on both sides to dig in and minimize the play (its also very tight). So far, so good!
Ernie

al koffman · 08-10-2010, 08:27 PM

Had the same problem years ago is a 5th wheel. Had to replace the wallowed out couplings. That solved the problem, sure got tired of trying all kinds of bolts.