BAL X-Chock out of box failure

[sameo416]

I know it doesn’t get much simpler than a jackscrew and linkage, but we cannot get either BAL x-chock to extend or retract. One bolt will move 1/8 turn either way, the other one will not move at all.

The only part that looks off is the pinned flat washer just under the adjustment bolt. Both are bent.

Anyone have any experience with this sort of failure or am I missing something fundamental?

I've sent a note to the manufacturer. Thanks for any wisdom in advance.

Sitting in BC staring at an x-chock.

[uthorns]

Mine were like that also, I think because they close them up so tight. You just have to force it enough in the right direction to retract them out. I agree it’s very odd and frustrating but they will spread.

[Chris R]

Originally Posted by sameo416

I know it doesn’t get much simpler than a jackscrew and linkage, but we cannot get either BAL x-chock to extend or retract. One bolt will move 1/8 turn either way, the other one will not move at all.

The only part that looks off is the pinned flat washer just under the adjustment bolt. Both are bent.

Anyone have any experience with this sort of failure or am I missing something fundamental?

I've sent a note to the manufacturer. Thanks for any wisdom in advance.

Sitting in BC staring at an x-chock.

a photo would help. The washers should be flat and the bolt should turn easily.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Chris R

a photo would help. The washers should be flat and the bolt should turn easily.

I agree. Mine turned easily.

[sameo416]

Originally Posted by Chris R

a photo would help. The washers should be flat and the bolt should turn easily.

The photos are hard to see, but you can see the pinned flat washer is eccentric. It is the only thing I can see that might be jamming the screw.

Thanks for the comments. I have tried to move the bolt with all the force I can muster, including a foot on the chock for leverage. Cannot get the bolt to turn.

[C&G in FL]

It’s too bad that Roto-Choks are no longer made. Expensive, but IMO, a far superior product than the Bal X chocks.

[Chris R]

Originally Posted by sameo416

The photos are hard to see, but you can see the pinned flat washer is eccentric. It is the only thing I can see that might be jamming the screw.

Thanks for the comments. I have tried to move the bolt with all the force I can muster, including a foot on the chock for leverage. Cannot get the bolt to turn.

You probably know this, but just went out and looked at mine. I know this is counterintuitive, but to open them up or to make them wider, turn the end nut clockwise and to close it up, counter-clockwise. I think yours is jammed tight closed, so clockwise is needed and a bit of lubracint. This maybe why the circled washer is slightly bent
One thinks to loosen something it's anti-clockwise unless it's a x-chock

[sameo416]

Originally Posted by Chris R

You probably know this, but just went out and looked at mine. I know this is counterintuitive, but to open them up or to make them wider, turn the end nut clockwise and to close it up, counter-clockwise. I think yours is jammed tight closed, so clockwise is needed and a bit of lubracint. This maybe why the circled washer is slightly bent
One thinks to loosen something it's anti-clockwise unless it's a x-chock

Thanks for looking. The thread is rh so I figured cw would open them up. I’ll try my torque wrench tomorrow to apply more persuasion.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by sameo416

Thanks for looking. The thread is rh so I figured cw would open them up. I’ll try my torque wrench tomorrow to apply more persuasion.

Applying more persuasion is not what a torque wrench intended usage is. Use a breaker bar instead, if necessary.

[sameo416]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

Applying more persuasion is not what a torque wrench intended usage is. Use a breaker bar instead, if necessary.

Yup, thanks. Breaker bar on my list of tools for next trip.

[akmacs]

It’s not clear to me from the picture, but you are attempting to adjust with the end bolt and not the one circled in the picture? You can also use a hammer and give some light taps on the top of the end bolt and that might loosen something up. I rarely use mine but they also adjust very easily. I seem to remember they turn clockwise to expand.

[sameo416]

Thanks for the suggestions, it did just need a bit of persuasion. Once I used a longer arm and put some force behind it both turned through the resistance and could be adjusted with the provided ratchet.

When at first you don’t succeed, use a bigger bar is the lesson.

[Jim Bennett]

Having used my X-Chocks for 10 years on pretty much every set up, they are still doing their job great. There is a bit of play beginning to happen in joints due to this use, and I may replace them soon. They have already paid for themselves so I have no regrets replacing. I would not want to be without them after trying many other methods to stabilized trailer movement and not finding a better method.

Glad the OP found out a bit of added effort was all that was needed to get his working.

[MyronL]

If everything else fails you might just drill a couple holes in some 4x4 laying around and run a half inch threaded rod through it.

[sameo416]

To close off, heard from BAL. They've been having QC challenges with the pandemic and some chocks are being over-torqued after production. That warps the flat washer and makes the initial couple of turns challenging. They offer replacement or instructions to disassemble and flatten the washer, which is what I’ll be doing.

Super response from the company.

Thanks again for the assist!

[Oldtimer]

Great to see a company acknowledging there’s an issues with their product and reach on how to fix or replace the product in question. Rare nowadays unfortunately.

David