Almost Gone

Rossue · 09-28-2020, 02:55 PM

Uh oh:

Almost lost my spare- happened just the other day. It was leaning over & the bolt was kinda long(and bent) it was a miracle it hadn't fallen some way.

But it didn't and I wonder why; am feeling so happy that it didn't go bye bye. Yes I feel I was lucky and don't know why.

Must be because there was no lock washer, and you know that's not up to par. And it increases my paranoia- that it could've fell off and hit a car.

When I get it all back together- it will be just another thing to remember.

I'm going to find a space inside the list to be sure & keep that rubber off the road.

I feel, like I was lucky and don't want that to happen ever again.

escape artist · 09-28-2020, 03:12 PM

Hi: Rossue... I know of one Escape owner that lost it!!! BTW I tried to enlarge the thumbnail pic and got an invalid message from the forum!!!

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

J&B Mitt · 09-28-2020, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossue

But it didn't and I wonder why...;

Sung to the tune of 'Almost Cut My Hair', haha! Nice work.

cpaharley2008 · 09-28-2020, 03:53 PM

Drill a couple of holes underneath and you will see rusty water exiting the hollow bumper. Over time, your attachment point corroded.

Patandlinda · 09-28-2020, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Drill a couple of holes underneath and you will see rusty water exiting the hollow bumper. Over time, your attachment point corroded.

Hi Jim something I should do . What size of holes should I drill and will a couple do ? Pat

cpaharley2008 · 09-28-2020, 04:01 PM

I just grabbed my sharpest bit, not bigger than 1/4" is needed to allow drainage.

Rossue · 09-28-2020, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Drill a couple of holes underneath and you will see rusty water exiting the hollow bumper. Over time, your attachment point corroded.

Driving on washboard roads did that. First the short screw was gone- and it does not attach through bumper. Then the long screw just bent over without breaking thankfully, yet it did not have a nut attached either.

Patandlinda · 09-28-2020, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossue

Driving on washboard roads did that. First the short screw was gone- and it does not attach through bumper. Then the long screw just bent over without breaking thankfully, yet it did not have a nut attached either.

Ross fix it with quality stainless hardware . Pat

Patandlinda · 09-28-2020, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I just grabbed my sharpest bit, not bigger than 1/4" is needed to allow drainage.

Will do Jim . Will a couple be enough ? PT

Rossue · 09-28-2020, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Ross fix it with quality stainless hardware . Pat

Pat was just thinking had it been stainless it might well have snapped being more brittle.

Patandlinda · 09-28-2020, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossue

Pat was just thinking had it been stainless it might well have snapped being more brittle.

You could be right about that Ross , I was thinking of rust . Just do a better job whatever you decide to do . How about hardened bolts ? Pat

Patandlinda · 09-28-2020, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

You could be right about that Ross , I was thinking of rust . Just do a better job whatever you decide to do . How about hardened bolts ? Pat

Some including Greg changed the bolts holding the tray for propane to stainless after the the bulldog hitch change . Something I will be doing here too . Getting my new bulldog hitch welded . So going to remove the tanks before the welding and make sure all good there and repaint everything . But I am not a engineer so maybe the hardened bolts , washers etc. is the way to go .Pat

Rossue · 09-28-2020, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

You could be right about that Ross , I was thinking of rust . Just do a better job whatever you decide to do . How about hardened bolts ? Pat

Probably will stick with galvanized. And use lock washers. Then check from time to time the spare tire mount is solid. Do it with the bikes regularly.

emers382 · 09-28-2020, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: Rossue... I know of one Escape owner that lost it!!! BTW I tried to enlarge the thumbnail pic and got an invalid message from the forum!!!

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Surely Alf you don't mean me on the very first trip with our first Escape

Iowa Dave · 09-28-2020, 05:13 PM

The bolts are 5/16 inch. I used grade 8. Cost was $.81 US. I used a 5/16 bit. I used a good DMC center punch to keep the bit from walking off center. I set it with a 32 oz. Plumb ball peen hammer. My bit was a Dewalt “titanium” bit but it was still pretty tough drilling. Once tightened up I used a couple drops of silicone on the exposed bolt threads to keep the nut from ever being lost. I knew my 300 ft lb impact wrench would walk the nut through the silicone or twist the bolt off if I ever had to remove it. Glad you didn't have a serious accident.
Iowa Dave

Patandlinda · 09-28-2020, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

The bolts are 5/16 inch. I used grade 8. Cost was $.81 US. I used a 5/16 bit. I used a good DMC center punch to keep the bit from walking off center. I set it with a 32 oz. Plumb ball peen hammer. My bit was a Dewalt “titanium” bit but it was still pretty tough drilling. Once tightened up I used a couple drops of silicone on the exposed bolt threads to keep the nut from ever being lost. I knew my 300 ft lb impact wrench would walk the nut through the silicone or twist the bolt off if I ever had to remove it. Glad you didn't have a serious accident.
Iowa Dave

I have Titanium bit s with already starter small bit on tip so don’t need to use center punch . Pat

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