Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Tech Forums > Maintenance and Repair
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 05-08-2019, 02:45 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport
State: New York
Posts: 2
THOR #8035
Replace step

Has anyone replaced the step on a Thor Windsport 27k. Single Kwikee step. The 4 mounting bolts are turning when I try to loosen the nuts and I can't get to the top of the bolts.

__________________
mpulver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2019, 09:24 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2013 ACE 30.1
State: Alberta
Posts: 1,410
THOR #2631
Welcome to the forum.....and you have an ugly situation. If you cannot absolutely get to the bolt heads above then there are not a lot of options unless someone else can suggest something clever.


So I assume you have no space between the head of the bolt and the nut you are trying to remove and the nuts are frozen onto the bolts (probably from road grime exposure). Start with some PB Blaster or other rust release spray on the nuts. If there was some space above the nut you could try prying down on the nut with a flat screw driver or other flat tool to put the bolt head in tension and try to break the nut loose with a wrench while prying down on it. This is subject to slippage and not a great option.


If there is enough of the bolt threads exposed below the frozen nut, you might try another method below (you can’t grab the bolt with vice grips or you will damage the threads and sounds like you won’t be able to replace the bolts from above). The other approach if there is enough bolt below is to use two appropriate nuts and thread them on below and jam them together (tighten them onto themselves) but not against the frozen nut. Try and break the frozen nut loose with a wrench while holding the jam nuts with a wrench or vice grips. That is a PIA situation but under the steps is a double PIA. My sympathies.
__________________
javelin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2019, 12:20 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport
State: New York
Posts: 2
THOR #8035
Thank you for the reply. I got the bolts out with a bit of work:

The studs had specially made carriage bolts with thin flat heads about 1 1/4" diameter. The heads of the bolts were laminated into the wooden step about 3/16" below the surface. (After removing the rubber tread glued to the board/step.) I measured to find the approximate location of the bolt heads from above. Then I took a 3" hole saw and cut down about 1/4" ant pried the laminate off the top of the bolt. Then I drilled a small hole off center near the edge of the head and put a small drywall screw through it then I removed the nuts from below.

I will now replace the bolts with 3/8-16 flat head machine screws with washers on the heads. Then I will use the wood disks I removed or floor leveler to fix the holes and reglue the rubber tread.

I do not recommend anyone do this unless the step structure itself is ruined. It would have been much easier to replace the electrical and mechanical Kwikee components!
__________________
mpulver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2019, 12:35 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2013 ACE 30.1
State: Alberta
Posts: 1,410
THOR #2631
Congrats. Sounds to me like you are fully qualified to own an RV.....you passed the "do whatever it takes to get the job done" safely and with most of your knuckles (and the RV) still in tact.
__________________
javelin is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 06:02 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2