Feel free to ask if you ever have any questions. I work on these things daily.
Oh good I appreciate it. I was trying to figure out the best way to punch holes in a mudflap without like destroying it or whatever because the mud flap fell off so we turned it around and drilled some holes in it because that’s what the trailer shop said to do. I was going to ask mainly is it important to stick grade 8 bolts back in there? The bolts we took out were grade 8 but the bolts we got since some were gone are grade 5 since we couldn’t find any grade 8 bolts in town that were the ones we needed. The only thing they told us at the shop was drill holes and put bolts in it or bring it to us.
I use a regular drill and bit but a Couple sizes larger than the bolts I’m using. When I build a bracket I try to use 1/4” bolts because they will break easily rather than damage the bracket if the flap gets pinched. Most of my fleet was built with 3/8 bolts and the bolt kits I sold when I worked in parts were 5/16. There isn’t really a standard. Also I wouldn’t use grade 8 for the reason I mentioned above but you’ll see them a lot because most truck dealers only stock grade 8/10.9 hardware.
Great information. The bolts are 5/16x1 inch I believe is what they were and take a 1/2 socket. I drilled the same as the bolt shank size or at least pretty close. Should I take that off a redo it a little bigger then? And also the bolts were pretty seized would it be ok to put anti seize on them? I know I’m sure they vibrate a lot so don’t want them vibrating loose.
I generally use locknuts however I suppose you could put some antisieze on them if you wanted. In the trucking industry time is money and I remove them either with an impact wrench or 9” grinder. They either come loose, snap off or get cut. Your hole size is fine, I usually drill larger so I don’t struggle getting the bolts through the rubber as some of the mud flaps can be very difficult to force bolts through.
Great. I appreciate the information. It didn’t have lock nuts on the rest of them so I just got regular ones like it had on there it’s a 2017 model Hyandai trailer so I was surprised at how seized they were on there but he also does a lot of running to the rust belt and stuff so that’s probably the reason. Fortunately none broke and I could use hand tools my Porter Cable impact wouldn’t take them off lol. I’ll dab some anti seize on there then to prevent that from happening or maybe some loctite.
. I had totally forgotten I was thinking of the bolts for my other project, I might still use a little anti seize since they were hard to break loose. I cleaned up the threads with a wire brush.
That is an interesting little trailer. I’m guessing by the name it is intended to haul snowmobiles? It looks similar to a Uhaul trailer
.Nice looking trailer.
Have to take your word for it that they're scattered around so much I never see 'em. Isn't the "Mechanical/maintenance" forum suitable ? I think it is...
