Loose PH hooks need replacing

[bgoetting]

I just got my used '05 SMB and the PH rattles loudly because it's not tight enough. I tried to tighten it by screwing the threaded hooks farther into the receiver but two of them stop midway, probably due to the threads being stripped. Is this hardware something you can replace at Home Depot or do I need to call SportsMobile? Has this happened to anyone else?

[Jeffrey]

I imagine those parts are of SMB penthouse design, although they may find them off the shelf somewhere. Just call SMB and they will send you a few new ones.

[adventureduo]

Yes, SMB should be able to send new items out for you. I emailed Lynn about our 2003 and she took care of us without any charge. They were very nice.

[jage]

There is a limit to how far they go in as well. I know mine bottomed out and was still loose when picking up my used van. I never understood why it was like that unless it was loose from install and no one bothered to trim it.

[alta825]

On my rig I just removed the j-hooks and dremeled off a few mm and re-installed. I was able to tighten them just enough to be tight w/o overtightening.

[jage]

A thought on cutting- if you run a nut on the threads before cutting, you can realign any thread damage from the cut by then removing the nut. Even a little warpage from the dremmel is easier to back a nut over than guess at rebuilding the threads.

[bgoetting]

On closer exam, the threaded hook "bottomed out". The threads were not stripped. To to keep the PH from rattling at hwy speed, I will need to shorten the hooks slightly. Sounds like I'm not the only one this issue.

[cellularSTEVE]

I need to trim mine too.

Thanks Jage for the advice on the nut. I presume you mean put the nut on, then cut off the end of the bolt a few milimeters, then take the nut off?

steve

[jage]

Yeah, put the nut past the threads you're cutting, then when you back it off it straightens the threads where you cut.

[cellularSTEVE]

great. thanks jage. will do.