Why are lift arm bolts elongating the hole in the shell?

[ShrimpBurrito]

Just notice this the other day, so I'm pretty sure this hasn't been like that for awhile. The bolt that holds the lift arm into the shell (torx head on the outside, acorn nut on the inside) seems to be elongating the hole it's in. I don't know if this is purely cosmetic, or if it's a structural problem I need to address. Presumably, there is too much tension on it, but I'm not sure where that might be coming from.

Has anyone had this happen before? Any thoughts?

Pictures are attached. Please excuse the grime -- it needs a cleaning.

Thanks,
Dave

Sorry, can't help you with your problem. But FYI that's a hex socket not a torx head. Interesting over-view here:
Wikipedia - Torx

[ShrimpBurrito]

Thanks for the pointing that out. I wouldn't have realized that until I got out my Torx driver....

Dave

[Bill]

Dave -

It has been my experience (several times, actually) that the acorn nuts work their way loose, until they come off and fall on the floor. Since this leaves the bolt kinda loose, and working in the hole as the tension changes, this is not a good thing. My solution has been to add a somewhat bigger flat washer both inside and out, tighten it firmly, and check it about once a year.

Short answer - I don't think it is structural - just annoying.

Bill

[rvcycleguy]

Originally Posted by Bill

Dave -

It has been my experience (several times, actually) that the acorn nuts work their way loose, until they come off and fall on the floor. Since this leaves the bolt kinda loose, and working in the hole as the tension changes, this is not a good thing. My solution has been to add a somewhat bigger flat washer both inside and out, tighten it firmly, and check it about once a year.

Short answer - I don't think it is structural - just annoying.

Bill

Exactly as I have done. Flat washer fix.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Excellent. I was hoping that was going to be the answer. I will follow your lead and do the same. Thanks!!

Dave

[commodor47]

Originally Posted by Bill

. . . My solution has been to add a somewhat bigger flat washer both inside and out, tighten it firmly, and check it about once a year. . . .

Bill

Is there anything to watch out for when removing the bolt to add the washer on the hex head side? I sure don't want to have something drop off or come apart once the bolt is removed.

Dick

[Bill]

Dick -

Fair question, and the honest answer is "I don't know". But to head off any problems, what I did was find a bolt of the same diameter as the original, go inside the TM and remove the acorn nut, then put the end of the new bolt on the end of the original bolt, and tap the new bolt through. Use the new bolt as a drift, in other words. This kept everything in place and in line while I put the washer on the original bolt. Then reverse the process and tap the original bolt back through.

Bill

[myersm]

I put washers on my support arm bolts recently. Once the shells are in the full upright position, there is little to no pressure on the support arms. However, you will need to support the weight of the shell in order to remove the bolt. I used a 2"4 and a floor jack to support the weight of the shell, and take the pressure off the bolt. Then, you can pull the bolts out easilly.
Also, I painted my washers before I put them on the bolts so they will match the paint on my TM.

Good luck!

Good Morning Shrimpburrito...

Man, you are just camping and enjoying life way to much....

Your wearing out your TM opening and closing it so much...

Thanks for the post!