Snapped Jockey wheel clamp handle

[fkeates]

Looking for suggestions on removing a short bit of the jockey wheel clamp handle that has sheared off within the threaded hole. There is no bread left to attach another handle and nothing protruding to grip it to turn to remove it

- or other suggestions on fixing this?

I think the thread in the hole is faulty - crossed or tripped as it was a new handle fitted by the dealer only a few months ago.

 

[Niall_McIntosh]

Exactly the same happened to me just after we arrived at a site near Grantham a couple of years ago. I doubt that the thread in the clamp is faulty, or crossed. It's probably metal fatigue from possibly overtightening the clamp. From the picture, the clamp handle doesn't look new, the handle that raises and lowers the jockey wheel looks new, perhaps it was this that the dealer replaced?

To remove the stub I used a 4mm HSS drill bit to drill a hole in the stub and, when it was deep enough, used a stud extractor (basically it's a screw with a reverse thread, so that when it gets tight into the stud, it unscrews it). I found it took a bit of patience, a steady hand to keep the drill bit central, and I used the stud extractor with my electric drill/screwdriver in reverse.

It may be belt and braces, but I now always carry a spare handle, and the drill bits/stud extractor, in case it happens again.

 

[Dustydog]

Before you attempt anything go back to the Dealer. Sounds like they messed up fitting it causing the premature failure

 

[birdman101]

You need to drill the centre of the bolt and then use an Easyout to remove it. I would also give it a good soaking of WD40 for a few hours before doing so. If only they bolted these on instead of welding to chassis would make life easier,

 

[fkeates]

Before you attempt anything go back to the Dealer. Sounds like they messed up fitting it causing the premature failure

I’ll try, but there will be no-one available to help until Monday. Until he the caravan is stuck on my car….

 

[Dustydog]

Do you have caravan breakdown cover?
At home or away?

 

[Niall_McIntosh]

I’ll try, but there will be no-one available to help until Monday. Until he the caravan is stuck on my car….

Are you sure it was the clamp handle that the dealer replaced? From your second photo, that doesn't look new.

 

[Steve1962]

I snapped the handle off when tightening it up just as we were about to leave home for 2 weeks at Old Oaks.....as I am a numpty and not practical I phoned around to see if any caravan service shops locally could assist.
No joy, but luckily for me I phone MJ Lovells whose shop was en route to Old Oaks......they fitted me in and saved the day, the 2 week holiday, and possibly my marriage..... they sorted it for me and only charged me £42.
I've since been back to them for other works on the caravan and cannot recommend them highly enough.

Captain Chaos.

 

[fkeates]

Are you sure it was the clamp handle that the dealer replaced? From your second photo, that doesn't look new.

I did wonder, but it was definitely different to the one that was on it originally….

 

[fkeates]

Do you have caravan breakdown cover?
At home or away?

I do have cover and I’ll look it out. I’m at home and a feeling that I don’t have the as home bit…. Otherwise, that’s what I was going to do tomorrow.

 

[Niall_McIntosh]

I did wonder, but it was definitely different to the one that was on it originally….

A new one should look like this:

 

[fkeates]

I do have cover and I’ll look it out. I’m at home and a feeling that I don’t have the as home bit…. Otherwise, that’s what I was going to do tomorrow.

Looks like I don’t have at home cover

 

[fkeates]

A new one should look like this:

Yes, that’s what it looks like, but perhaps not new’/unused…? The original was faded to pale orange, which is why i assumed it was replaced with a brand new one.

 

[Mr Plodd]

I’ll try, but there will be no-one available to help until Monday. Until he the caravan is stuck on my car….

Use a scissor jack or similar to support the tow hitch!

 

[ProfJohnL]

In addition to drilling a hole in the stuck bolt, and trying penetrating oil, and in case these don't work I would consider the use of some heat onto the boss/nut (using a hot air gun with due protection for the A frame cover) to expand the nut a little.

 

[Kevin M]

If you know anyone who is handy with a tig welder, get them to tack a nut onto the broken shaft, then apply lots of plusgas and heat over a couple of days, should loosen up and let you wind it out.
Bit of anti-seize grease will help prevent the new item ending up like the current one.

Kev

 

[Hutch]

All this information about drilling out and removing the "seized" threaded bit, takes a bit of expertise. It can be done, but take care.

 

[fkeates]

Thanks all.
The broken shaft isn’t seized as such as I’d been winding and unwinding it ok to move the ‘van and alter hitch height, I think the shaft just sheared from metal fatigue.

I’ll have a better look tomorrow with a clearer mind - I was furious with myself as I was playing shift the cars and caravans and everything went wrong (from flat battery, putting keys down to a neighbour parking in the space id just vacated to put one of the ‘vans. Then this whilst I was shifting it with the mover….

I’ve seen a different thread that suggest the retaining ‘bolt’ can be replaced… just need to work out how to remove it

RIVET NUT AND FITTING KIT FOR ALKO 150v , 200v EURO COUPLINGS 1212718

Genuine Riveting kit for jockey wheel clamp fitted to Al-ko 150v and 200v euro couplings. Al-ko part

www.tauntontrailers.co.uk

Hoping the bit circled in red where the handle sheared is the rivet nut in the link.

 

[IanB1485]

I think you have posted on the caravantalk forum ,where you'll see lots of advice

 

[fkeates]

Yes, I’ve posted in several different forums and threads, hoping to get wide range of options and ideas.

 

[Buckman]

You need to drill the centre of the bolt and then use an Easyout to remove it. I would also give it a good soaking of WD40 for a few hours before doing so. If only they bolted these on instead of welding to chassis would make life easier,

If they paid the dealer for the fitting, then it is straight back to the dealer to do the repair.

 

[Mel]

I don’t know if this is a good idea so can others comment please.
If you had a car Jack or scissor Jack can you use that to act as the jockey wheel, pull up the hitch handle and Alko stabiliser and gently raise the tow hitch off the tow ball and so release the caravan from the car ( I assume you have the caravan where you want it). You can leave it propped up on the Jack as Mr Plodd suggests.

 

[fkeates]

I don’t know if this is a good idea so can others comment please.
If you had a car Jack or scissor Jack can you use that to act as the jockey wheel, pull up the hitch handle and Alko stabiliser and gently raise the tow hitch off the tow ball and so release the caravan from the car ( I assume you have the caravan where you want it). You can leave it propped up on the Jack as Mr Plodd suggests.

tanks, it’s not being on the car that’s the problem, it’s moving it into its parking place without a jockey wheel.

 

[GUMPY]

If the original is a rivnut type of fitting then one could just knock it out with a decent parallel punch, then replace it with a new one.

Parallel Punch

 

[Beardy]

tanks, it’s not being on the car that’s the problem, it’s moving it into its parking place without a jockey wheel.

How about dropping the steadies so that they are a few inches from the floor then loading the back of the caravan with ballast so the nose weight is close to zero. You could then have someone hold the hitch up while you manovered the caravan into position.