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Old 09-03-2015, 09:32 PM   #1
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Electric Top 2006 rear support bolts separated

Noticed top was a bit creaky going up and down and opened up where the ram(s) push the rear lower bars. Both sides the bolt washer combination was backed out. Passenger side the loose washer and nut were in the track. Driver side it was as if they disappeared,,,maybe never were installed? Anyway attempting to get a replacement washer (they have a tapered bulge that goes in the slot) from Sportsmobile Tx. Does anyone know the design configuration? It looks like the nut side washer is between the nut and the track. The bolt side has a washer inside the head, then goes into the track, through a washer, through the tube, then the other side of the channel, and finally through the missing washer to a nut. Is this correct?

Really a pain to get the backside bolts as compared to the mechanical top spring version (previous vehicle). When I get the parts, it will go together with the stayloc nuts as originally, but with loctite....The bolts don't look worn, but just backed out...lots of shavings and metal debris in the channels.

Anyone heard of this all separating? Suggestions?
Thx
Attached Thumbnails
Drv Side Bolt almost out.jpg   Pass Side Bolt retracted backside.jpg   Pass Side Bolt retracted2.jpg  

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Old 09-03-2015, 09:36 PM   #2
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Re: Electric Top 2006 rear support bolts separated

Two more pics of the loose, but found pass side parts. The nut should be in the right side of the channel so must have popped over somehow....
Very odd, but fortunately nothing actually sheared or totally backed out...
Attached Thumbnails
Pass Side nut off.jpg   Pass Side washer off.jpg  
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Old 09-03-2015, 09:40 PM   #3
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Re: Electric Top 2006 rear support bolts separated

Ouch! I'm scared to look.
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Old 09-03-2015, 09:46 PM   #4
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Re: Electric Top 2006 rear support bolts separated

Good part is the tube is double walled at the base where the bolt goes thru.....
The other thing that was not particularly happy was the Drivers side ram clevis was mostly backed out. Seemed to be kept down by the fabric above....That will be lashed down before buttoning it up.
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Old 09-04-2015, 09:38 AM   #5
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Re: Electric Top 2006 rear support bolts separated

Anybody know what the bolt washer assembly sequence is?

I am hearing the tube is nested between the two washers in the channel. This would be a VERY tight fit; like a press fit.

Pic of assembly. There isn't enough room for 2 washers in the channel. Final clearance with 1 washer is about 0.065" (washers are 0.13"), so the assembly looks like the pic. Drivers side appears to have a shorter bolt (2.25") vs 2.5" on drivers side. Maybe Monday build....
Getting another washer from Sportsmobile for the drivers side so all will be good afrter refrig removal and some cabinet dis-assembly to access the bolt (backside)...Ahhhhhhhhhh
Attached Thumbnails
Pass Side Assembled new 2_5in bolt blu loctite.jpg  
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Old 11-26-2015, 10:45 AM   #6
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Re: Electric Top 2006 rear support bolts separated

Recently Mike viewtopic.php?f=13&t=17102
posted a picture of the bolt crossbar ram assembly (thanks!). It appears his (fresno build) uses 4 of the tapered washers with a jam (not nylock) nut...Mine came apparently with only 2 washers on one side, and maybe 1 on the other, and used a nylock nut on the passenger side (driver side had no nut that could be found and the bolt was short).
Since then I received another washer from sportsmobile and reassembled....This appears to be logical. I suspect there are some sportsmobile variations on this, but this seems to be the best idea for staying together and lower friction.... There is an added flat washer on the inside of the crossbar to force the tapered washer further into the U channel for greater support surface contact (previous wear marks are visible with less than full contact)...probably not needed.
This pivot takes a large load, and worse case would take a long time to wear, but it is easy to inspec by removing the fabric cover just aft of the aft bar....
Attached Thumbnails
Washer stack.jpg  
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