Engine hood lock mechanism fell off

DaveLoriC · 10-20-2019, 05:39 PM

Has anyone had an issue with the metal latch on the inside of the hood lock coming off? We heard our hood bouncing while on a rough road. Upon checking realized the inside bolts and latch were missing. Tightened up the other side and added some bungee cords. Went to pull off the one remaining to find something similar at HD. It was gone also. Looking to purchase replacements and find a way to secure them for the future.

ducksface · 10-20-2019, 06:02 PM

They should have been double nutted. Even double nutted mine back off. I've tightened the passenger side one six or so times, never the drivers side.
I would suggest drilling a hole through that threaded arm and inserting a clip or pin to retain the parts when it all backs off.

halfprice · 10-20-2019, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducksface

They should have been double nutted. Even double nutted mine back off. I've tightened the passenger side one six or so times, never the drivers side.
I would suggest drilling a hole through that threaded arm and inserting a clip or pin to retain the parts when it all backs off.

Loctite??

ducksface · 10-20-2019, 06:58 PM

I was afraid of locktite until I had a final adjustment done.
The nuts are a standard nut. I might try, now that you've said locktite out loud and I ran it all back through my sieve of a mind, a nylon bushing'd nut. We always called them nylocks, I've been told that's wrong, but you know the ones I write of.

I think those are the cure.
I used some yesterday, I guess I just didn't see this hood catch as a standard thing.

Punchline:
Nylon insert nut. Two as nutlocks for an added 18¢ expense.

**revjeffrey** · 10-20-2019, 08:42 PM

Another item to swap with Nylon insert nuts. Wiper arm.

also check out this link "Hood Rattle Fix".

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f8/...fix-13747.html

ducksface · 10-20-2019, 09:36 PM

I'll do the wipers.
Thanks.

Lt Keefer · 10-20-2019, 10:58 PM

Just remember that nylocks are one time use items. You can get an assortment pack on Amazon and replace them as you come across the use of regular nuts on your coach.

dkoldman · 10-21-2019, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveLoriC

Has anyone had an issue with the metal latch on the inside of the hood lock coming off? We heard our hood bouncing while on a rough road. Upon checking realized the inside bolts and latch were missing. Tightened up the other side and added some bungee cords. Went to pull off the one remaining to find something similar at HD. It was gone also. Looking to purchase replacements and find a way to secure them for the future.

This was an issue I noticed on my list of 71 concerns before we did our PDI on Windsport 27B. Sales Manager gave me a polite lecture that RVs are not perfect. He would have fared better by saying when the latch breaks it means it is time to change the oil.

I feel helpless reading these stories, but glad to see those that can take of things themselves.

GVP-The Boxcar Children · 10-21-2019, 07:39 AM

Only use Loctite BLUE if you go that route, as Loctite RED requires heating with a torch to remove any nut you use the RED on.
GVP

halfprice · 10-21-2019, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GVP-The Boxcar Children

Only use Loctite BLUE if you go that route, as Loctite RED requires heating with a torch to remove any nut you use the RED on.
GVP

Correct. I should have said that also. Thanks for adding this

ducksface · 10-21-2019, 09:46 PM

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f8/...tml#post208029

I accomplished the wiper nut, but the nut I took from the hood latch went right onto a 5/16 course bolt in the hardware store, so I bought 5/16 coarse nuts.
They won't fit on the hood latch. Appears the original hood latch nut had thread slop in it to fit metric or SAE and that the new nylock does not.

My hood latch locks are metric I assume. Hardware store is 20miles round trip....

darwinB · 10-26-2019, 09:34 PM

Reply to DaveLoriC and hood latch falling off. "Yes, I had the same issue." I picked up a new 2017, Axis 24.1 in Kansas City and by the time I got to Austin, TX one of the hood latches had fallen off. Luckily the New Braunsfeld, TX, dealer gave me a replacement latch so I could continue to AZ. I installed the latch with a LOT of torque and both sides have stayed in place for 6,000 miles. After seeing all your postings today, however, I will redo both the hood and wiper nuts. My airplane had a hole through the corner of all vital hex nuts with a wire tie to a fixed location to secure the nut in place. Thank you guys for the informed improvements based on real experience. DarwinB

darwinB · 10-26-2019, 09:45 PM

Reply to DaveLoriC: The keys for the hood locks are all the same for at least the Axis 24.1, 2017s. That was a relief for getting a replacement latch because the dealer took a latch from a new Axis in their lot and gave it to me. God bless that wonderful service manager! DarwinB

ducksface · 10-26-2019, 09:58 PM

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GM...b_b_asin_image

Hood key
Your hood key has a number stamped on it. Order the key you have, not particularly the key I ordered.

At $5.69 delivered, order a couple or three.

woodbender · 10-26-2019, 11:42 PM

If it comes to it, take this link to purchase a new latch. Mine fell off too.

R.cyngier · 10-17-2022, 07:32 PM

My passenger side hood latch lock fell off, but be careful too with the Hood brackets that may wear a hole in your AC line. Mine cost over $1600 to fix and a month down waiting for the aftermarket Thor part. Luckily, had a great service manager at LIberty Ford who identified the leak due to the rubbing, and found a solution to it not happening again. Thor service was helpful in identifying the line replacement after a week believing it was a FORD part. Like the idea of the Nylock. Will order some. Anybody have a size of the nut?

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