Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #25 – August 13, 2017, 02:04:10 pm The second picture in reply #17 has what appears to be a bolt hole(?) that's sealed up with silicone or something similar, just to the left of the empty hole. Could this have been an original failed Rolok hole with a new Rolok sistered-in next to it, or a manufacturing error? Quote Selected
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #26 – August 14, 2017, 07:15:52 am Jor,assuming your "after" pictures mean after the work was done why is'nt the beam painted?Are we missing the final painting?If I was replacing any metal underneath it would be well painted and undercoated and any beams would be treated on the inside. Quote Selected
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #27 – August 14, 2017, 01:11:00 pm Quotewhy is'nt the beam painted?Just the factory paint which has held up well. Looks better in person. I probably would have painted it too but it's not rusty and doesn't really need it. I was a lot more concerned with the inside. jor Quote Selected
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #28 – August 14, 2017, 01:19:27 pm I made front mudflaps out of the same material as the back,keeps alot of water off that area,plus did'nt cost much. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #29 – August 18, 2017, 09:51:56 pm Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – August 13, 2017, 11:35:53 amPierce, you said: Impossible to drill out the broken bolt since they go all the way through to the far side. You will have to sister another next to it.In my posting "Bulkhead Horror" I described how I drilled out Rolok bolts and removed them.Pierce, I agree with this statement: You can be assured that water has gotten behind the big angle iron and is rust jacking many other Roloks. They are just inexpensive grade 5 fasteners without any corrosion resistance and not intended for this application. Pierce, I did this also and some of them fell out later:I backed quite a few out, examined them and then re-installed and torqued. I would urge you to check those re-installed Rolok bolts often.My rear bulkhead had very few bolts holding and was about to fail completely when I replaced all Rolok bolts and holes with 3/8 grade five plated bolts (see "Bulkhead Horror" posting for details). Quote Selected
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #30 – August 18, 2017, 09:59:37 pm Wyatt, I went with 3/8" 316 stainless next to those that failed. When I can walk again, replacing all with stainless is on the list. I want to check for other water damage too. Don't see any but...Pierce Quote Selected
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #31 – August 19, 2017, 02:20:00 pm I do not recommend stainless bolts because most stainless bolts are not as strong as a grade 2 bolt, however, I realize that with careful selection, stainless bolts stronger than grade 8 can be obtained. The other concern I have is that stainless bolts will corrode depending on the environment. For example, for ocean going boats, stainless bolts below the water line will fail, while bronze bolts will last indefinitely.I also do not believe that grade 8 bolts are better in our bulkheads than grade 5 bolts because a 3/8" grade 5 bolt is stronger than a 5/16 Rolok and tolerates jerk loads better than a grade 8 bolt. Quote Selected
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #32 – August 19, 2017, 04:22:27 pm 316 stainless is about the most corrosion resistive fasteners available. They have very low potential and since they are the nobel steel compared to mile steel, they are resistive to galvanic erosion. They are impervious to salt water and phosphoric acid. I used 3/8" fasteners to make sure they would have the same strength as the 5/16" Roloks.Quote from nutsandbolts.com :"A common question is whether stainless steel is stronger that a grade 5 or grade 8 bolt. Stainless commonly comes in grades 18.8 (304) or T316. Stainless steel bolts are rated for corrosion resistance. Bolt strength is rated in PSI (pounds per square inch). A stainless steel bolt has the same PSI rating as a grade 5 bolt (125,000 PSI). A grade 8 bolt has a stronger rating with a PSI of 150,000"Fastenal quote: "316 & 317: Have significantly improved corrosion resistance especially when exposed to seawater andmany types of chemicals. They contain molybdenum, which gives the steel better resistance to surfacepitting. These steels have higher tensile and creep strengths at elevated temperatures than otheraustenitic alloys."Albany County Fasteners: "316 Stainless Steel:(16%-18% Chrome, 10%-14% Nickel, .08% Maximum Carbon, 2.00% Maximum Molybdenum) – This grade of stainless steel is used and recommended for applications in severe, harsh or marine environments. Its corrosion resistance is greater than 18-8 stainless, which is why we recommend using 316 stainless steel fasteners for salt water application. It is important to remember that even the salt in the air near a body of salt water can do damage to dry applications, so 316 is the material of choice. Common applications of 316 stainless steel fasteners include use on boats, docks, piers, and pools."The number of fasteners across the bulkhead is overkill for either stainless or grade 2-5 steel. This can be seen in coaches with the majority of Roloks broken. I'll take the corrosion resistance of 316.Pierce Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #33 – August 19, 2017, 05:19:28 pm I replaced mine, front and rear bulkheads, with 3/8" grade,# 8, zinc plated bolts, nuts and washers. I had to sister drill almost all of them. I no longer worry about this issue, I can't imagine the circumstance that would lead to these bolts failing. Something else in the chain maybe , but not those bolts. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #34 – August 21, 2017, 12:24:22 pm Thanks Pierce for enlightening me about 316 stainless bolts - I will start using them. Quote Selected
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #35 – August 21, 2017, 02:02:29 pm Wyatt,They are not the end all for fasteners but I bought a box 50 off ebay as they are really reasonable and I am doubling up on them so 25 for the rear, 25 for the front. Hot dipped galvanized will do the trick nicely too. Strength is not quite up to grade 5 but not many grade 5s installed on Foretravels are anywhere near their original strength from hydrogen embrittlement and rust jacking. 316 stainless holds torque well with high temps and vibration. Probably not a factor if you use nyloks with a stainless washer on the far side. I pulled a SOB that had gone over an embankment with the front end of our U300 and pulled it up and back on the road. Stressed the bulkheads but it didn't complain. You could probably use two of them with a sling and lift the entire coach off the ground.Pierce Quote Selected
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #36 – August 22, 2017, 05:37:18 pm WyattThere is a company called Pacific Fasteners that specialize in stainless fasteners in Burnaby on 1st ave just east of Boundary.I fined there prices good Quote Selected
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #37 – October 01, 2017, 04:56:36 pm Quotere we missing the final painting?Finally POR-15'd the bulkheads. I hadn't used that stuff in years. Tip: If you get it on you, best to get it off quickly or you will end up like yours truly with semi-permanent POR-15 tatooing!jor Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #38 – October 01, 2017, 05:38:56 pm Jor,Are those holes sealed on the inside? Quote Selected
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #39 – October 01, 2017, 08:13:42 pm Looks good! Been there, done that... Now that you have it fixed up, I hope you get to use the heck out of it!Don Quote Selected
Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Reply #40 – October 01, 2017, 08:16:01 pm QuoteAre those holes sealed on the inside?Yes. However, I am filling them also.QuoteNow that you have it fixed up, I hope you get to use the heck out of it!DonI still have a couple more projects to get this little guy up to snuff but I'm getting closer. Heading west in a few weeks. We plan to leave Arizona when the weather is perfect and head to bad weather on the west coast. jor Quote Selected
Topic: Another Bulkhead Repair