Community Forums

JerryF · 03-28-2023, 06:43 PM

I have posted this issue before about one of 2 bolts (the forward one) on the passenger side attaching the tag arm to the tag axle. Well, it's gone again for the 4th time, no easy task to replace. Spartan said they never heard of this problem before. I have a bad habit of not remembering to release the air from the air bag on the tag before a sharp turn either going forward or reverse. Could that be putting enough stress on the bolt to snap it? Funny thing is, never been able to find any remanence of the bolt. Does my theory make sense, did anyone else have this issue. Comments greatly appreciated.

jmorse1 · 03-28-2023, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryF

I have posted this issue before about one of 2 bolts (the forward one) on the passenger side attaching the tag arm to the tag axle. Well, it's gone again for the 4th time, no easy task to replace. Spartan said they never heard of this problem before. I have a bad habit of not remembering to release the air from the air bag on the tag before a sharp turn either going forward or reverse. Could that be putting enough stress on the bolt to snap it? Funny thing is, never been able to find any remanence of the bolt. Does my theory make sense, did anyone else have this issue. Comments greatly appreciated.

Is this on a 2015 44b?....I'm about to lube mine in a couple of weeks, so I'll take a close look at mine while I'm down there.

John

2015 Aspire 44b

JerryF · 03-28-2023, 10:27 PM

AS a matter it is a 2015 44b.

Mwoodofd · 03-29-2023, 04:52 AM

I have read post on here before about these bolts missing. I'm fairly sure the issue was discussed with Spartan with most likely the same answer back then. Not sure about the tag dump and if this adds to the issue, but I rarely use the tag dump as well.

MRUSA14 · 03-29-2023, 07:44 AM

I rarely use the tag dump and in 10 years I have have never lost a bolt.

The Driver · 03-29-2023, 09:47 AM

On my 2006 Travel Supreme Select, the tag bags automatically dumped when in reverse. I'd expect Entegra to have kept that feature.

DeWat · 03-29-2023, 09:48 AM

Yes, you really are having bolt problems. You started the thread back in 2019 where I posted about our vanishing drive axle bolts (https://www.irv2.com/forums/f278/bol...ml#post5145641). So, Spartan is STILL singing the same "Never seen this before" song that they were signing way back then, yikes! I hope you get everything worked out favorably.

Old-Biscuit · 03-29-2023, 10:03 AM

Locktite........

brobox · 03-29-2023, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeWat

Yes, you really are having bolt problems. You started the thread back in 2019 where I posted about our vanishing drive axle bolts (https://www.irv2.com/forums/f278/bol...ml#post5145641). So, Spartan is STILL singing the same "Never seen this before" song that they were signing way back then, yikes! I hope you get everything worked out favorably.

JME, but that seems to be the company theme song in a few instances. I remember back in 14 they were saying that about the radiators.

DeWat · 03-29-2023, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Locktite........

Not sure it would have helped... I don't know how the first bolt disappeared, but the second bolt snapped in half. The responding tow driver found both halves to prove it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

JME, but that seems to be the company theme song in a few instances. I remember back in 14 they were saying that about the radiators.

JerryF · 03-29-2023, 10:46 PM

Did use locktite on the third replacement, which is telling me that the grade 8 bolt I put in somehow snaped. There is no way it could come out in one piece. On nut end is the brake drum, the bolt head side is a bracket that holds a small air tank for the tag brake. To put the bolt in that tank needs to be removed and one side the bolt head needs to be ground down to get past the bracket. So it can't come out in one piece. Even when you finally get all the holes to line up, it's still an ordeal.

brobox · 03-30-2023, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryF

Did use locktite on the third replacement, which is telling me that the grade 8 bolt I put in somehow snaped. There is no way it could come out in one piece. On nut end is the brake drum, the bolt head side is a bracket that holds a small air tank for the tag brake. To put the bolt in that tank needs to be removed and one side the bolt head needs to be ground down to get past the bracket. So it can't come out in one piece. Even when you finally get all the holes to line up, it's still an ordeal.

Just out of curiosity, has a 3 axle alignment been done? My last two coaches both had the tag and rear axles out of alignment upon delivery. The 19 was so far out it caused the sensor on the ABS to be out of alignment and the warning light stayed on all the way home from NIRVC. Had I continue to drive it like that, I am sure sheared bolts could have been possible.
The 21 was pushing to the right on the way home, sure enough tag axle 3/4 of an inch out of alignment.

If your ever in Ft Myers, Florida Spring and Axle is excellent and could probably find the problem.

JJaxon · 04-01-2023, 06:16 AM

Where would someone look to inspect for the missing bolts?
2016 Anthem 44B

jmorse1 · 04-01-2023, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJaxon

Where would someone look to inspect for the missing bolts?

2016 Anthem 44B

If I understand this right and from the description of the replacement procedure, I think it's viewable from behind the tag tire and looking forward....here's a pic of my 2015 44b drivers side (another arm on passenger side)

Hope this helps!

John