"Landing Gear"/Scissor Stabilizer jack Question

[Denise]

Camping right now and the street side scissor jack will not stay cranked down. When we cynch it down snug to the ground and remove the hand crank, the jack will spin backwards (it's loose and doesn't continue contact with the ground). Just had problems with it for the first time with this trip. Any ideas on how to fix it? Thanks in advance

[Jagiven]

Just a thought. I am thinking the bolt that the rod screws into has broke its weld. Crawl under the rig and look at the bolt. You might be able to put a wrench on it hold it in place while tightening rod for the landing gear.

[tnchuck100]

I have experienced the same issue.

Jagiven, I cannot figure out this "bolt that the rod screws into has broke its weld". There is no weld that I can find. Can you supply a picture of what your are referring to?

[Jagiven]

I went out and looked at them a little closer this morning. There is no bolt that can break loose on mine, so I will assume they are all made about the same way. At the rear pivot point there is a threaded slide that moves forward and aft depending on the rods rotation. Looking at its construction (stamped steel), I would say this threaded slide is stripped. A picture or would help to confirm.

Solution, use your tire changing jack on cribbing until you get home and fix it properly. Because it is slipping I strongly suggest Healthi, when you fully retract it duct tape it in the up position so it does not drop while traveling down the road.

[Jagiven]

Healthi, do you by chance use an electric drill or impact wrench to set your stabilizers? If so, you are probably over torqued them, which stripped the threads on the slides.

[tnchuck100]

Jagiven, the picture you show is not a scissor jack. Your jack has the screw rod remaining at the top of the jack. A scissor jack has the screw rod at the center of the jack and actually moves lower as the the jack is extended.

In my case, and I think it is the same for healthi, is when the jack begins to support weight and the crank is removed the screw rod is being rotated backward all by itself. Definitely not a stripped thread situation. I have examined mine closely. There are no broken pieces.

UPDATE: I think I may have found the solution. I think I may have created the problem by just not thinking something through. I like to keep things lubricated so they operate smoothly and not rust. In this case I might have gone too far. I lubricated the screws with marine grease. I sprayed WD-40 on all the pivot points. Yup, the disks at the end of the screw too. That appears to be the source of the problem.

I took a paint brush and some gasoline and washed all lubrication from those friction disks. Now they do not back off when weight is applied and the crank is removed.

healthi, let us know if this cured yours as well.

[Denise]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Healthi, do you by chance use an electric drill or impact wrench to set your stabilizers? If so, you are probably over torqued them, which stripped the threads on the slides.

Thanks so far.

And so it may help others figure this out.... we do not use an electric drill or impact wrench; just the crank that came with the tt. Either one of us tighten it down snug, then back of one rotation to keep contact with the ground (so the jack isn't carrying the weight of the tt). Hope this helps

[glsimms]

O.K., I'm still new at all of this so...

What size socket do I need to use a drill to lower the stabilizers? Right now I'm using the crank.

[nitrohorse]

The jack nut is 3/4". I too noticed that two of my stabilizers loosened up on my last trip out. I think that either the trailer settling and/or the weight and slight bouncing caused by walking causes the threaded rod to back itself off. I believe this is a case where some dirt and rust on the threaded shaft is actually a good thing. I'm going to take four small "C" clamps along this coming weekend and see if I can find a temporary solution to this issue. I'm also thinking about adding a nylon jam nut on the exposed side of the threaded shaft to lock the stabilizer in place. I have to take a look at it to see if it's practical and feasible.