Trailer fender woes

[captainjohn]

The factory trailer for my M19 (original,-1994, not used that much) has fenders bolted to the frame on stalks. I noticed driving down the road that the fenders bounce up and down about 3/4" when hitting rougher patches of highway. I was hoping to tighten up the nuts on the ends of the stalks, but of course they're rusted solid. I tried two applications of WD-40, but to no avail. I'm afraid to snap the bolts off if I use more leverage. I need to fix this, otherwise the fenders may break off on longer trips by themselves. Anyone else had this problem, and is there a solution other than welding?

[Deeseas]

captainjohn
My '93 trailer has the fenders welded on to the brackets and they're welded to the frame. I've had my since '96 and I don't believe anything was changed since it left the factory when I bought it.
Sorry not much help
Doug

[Boblee]

You're lucky yours are still hanging mine had an altercation with a concrete and steel post designed to protect the petrol bowser, so new ones are in order but they were too skinny anyway.

[TAW02]

I tried two applications of WD-40, but to no avail.

While I like WD40 for its many uses, disolving rust isn't really one of it's strong features. Go to a parts house and find a can of 'real' rust penetrant. Products like 'Liquid Wrench', or best ever rust penetrant "PB Blaster'. I have used PB Blaster on rusted leaf shackles, muffler U-Bolts et al, and with patients the nut will break loose.

The worst case of rusted nuts I ever experienced was the fellah across the street who got frustrated with the U-Bolts and muffler pipe hangers under is Bronco. I went over there and gave him a can of PB Blaster and told him to spray the rusted hardware once a day for a few days. For best results spray and then gently tap the nut with a wrench or small hammer to invoke a vibration to give the solvent a chance to wick into the theads.

After three of four days, my neighbor put a wrench on the nuts and they broke loose nearly as easy as toothpaste caps! Believe it.

Big T

[c130king]

You're lucky yours are still hanging mine had an altercation with a concrete and steel post designed to protect the petrol bowser, so new ones are in order but they were too skinny anyway.

Don't feel too bad. I had a run in with the low brick walls that were on the side of my driveway. Had to get a friend and a large crow bar to pry the fender away from the tire.

Here are some pics. You can see the crack in the brick wall where I broke it. My landlord charged me $500 to replace

And here is a pic of the fender after I bent it back out away from the wall. Oh well...live and learn





A little black spray paint and it is now hard to notice unless you are looking.

Turning radius is important



Jim