Al-ko stabiliser jockey wheel clamp

[lolo]

Wonder if anyone can help. Recently, the bulbous red plastic end of jockey wheel clamping handle broke off on my caravan, so I purchased a new one. However, when I attempted to remove the old one I came up against a problem. In unscrewing the old handle, it came in its usual easy manner until it was further unscrewed than it had probably been since being installed and it then came to a solid full stop. I found that the pressure I would need to make it turn further was of thread-stripping magnitude so I didn't ! I suspect it may be that some exposed thread behind the actual clamp may have become corroded (2007 caravan), but before starting to strip the A frame cover (or grovelling around on the floor if the reluctant handle prevents the stripping of the A frame cover !) I wonder if there is some other cause of the handle-removal problem, though I can't imagine what it might be.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Is it 'captive'? It may unscrew from one half of the clamp and not the other so you don't loose it. There may be a split pin you need to remove first.

 

[lolo]

Just a couple of thoughts on that, W.C. If it did have a split pin, it would be necessary to remove the A frame cover to get at it, and I think it is necessary for the handle to be removed before the cover can be lifted off (not 100% sure because is in store some distance away, but I'm fairly sure the handle goes through the skirt of the A frame cover), and also the replacement handle does not provide for a split pin. The more I think about it the more I think its a corroded thread. Probably have to wait for some fine weather to lay underneath and try to get some penetrating oil on the thread and then gently exercise it out. Thanks for your thoughts, W.C.