Faulty Screws??

**Steve7** · 04-05-2017, 07:36 PM

We just returned from a trip in our trailer. During the trip I noticed a screw head missing from a trim piece on the lower portion of the side. When I looked closer, it appears th screw head was missing, as if it had broken off. The hole appeared to still be plugged with the screw shaft. I checked further, and located at least three additional holes where the screw had sheared off at various locations of the outside of the trailer. One head actually was still partially in the hole, but pulled out freely. I'll be calling GD tomorrow to request replacement screws and advise on how to replace them, such as drill out broken screws, etc. I know I'm under warranty, but would rather not travel the 110 miles each way to dealer, as well as having the trailer ties up.

Has anyone else experienced this?

**kevinpo** · 04-05-2017, 07:46 PM

Hi Steve,
I believe there have been several people report similar experiences in the last year or so. They should come up on a search.

Regards,
Kevin

**Steve7** · 04-06-2017, 04:10 PM

Thanks Kevin. I talked to GD today and I believe they are sending me the screws. I will drill out and replace.

**Cate&Rob** · 04-06-2017, 04:23 PM

Steve - Every fastener at the assembly plant goes in with a power driver. If the screw happens to hit the aluminum frame, the tool can twist the head off. The aluminum tube frame is still rather thin wall and you might have better luck driving the broken screw in with a pin punch, rather than drilling it out. In my experience, drilling a steel fastener out of an aluminum hole often does not go well. BTW, the correct driver for these screws is a #2 square drive or "Robertson" bit. The screws have a Phillips cross over the square drive but this will not engage nearly as well as the square drive.

Rob

**Mrgrumpy007** · 04-06-2017, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by Steve7

We just returned from a trip in our trailer. During the trip I noticed a screw head missing from a trim piece on the lower portion of the side. When I looked closer, it appears th screw head was missing, as if it had broken off. The hole appeared to still be plugged with the screw shaft. I checked further, and located at least three additional holes where the screw had sheared off at various locations of the outside of the trailer. One head actually was still partially in the hole, but pulled out freely. I'll be calling GD tomorrow to request replacement screws and advise on how to replace them, such as drill out broken screws, etc. I know I'm under warranty, but would rather not travel the 110 miles each way to dealer, as well as having the trailer ties up.

Has anyone else experienced this?

3 days after we picked up our 337 it was raining and we had water and wet carpet on the dinning area slide and carpet. Upon closer inspection I discovered a broken screw holding the slide trim molding. The water was running down the slide and in between the molding and right inside. I replaced the screw with some I had at the house and re-caulked the molding. Problem solved. I also replaced the other 5 or so broken screws I found. I'm sure this would have been covered under warranty but since it's a PIA getting in to see the dealer it was easier to fix it myself. I guess that's just life as an RV owner.

**sande005** · 04-06-2017, 10:06 PM

The Facebook Imagine owners group is also reporting a number of screw failures, on very recent Imagines. Some within one day after leaving the dealer with their new RV. Comments include that GD has identified some units that have an H66 code in the vin as potential issue. Other users also report other codes having it. Failure is primarily to the screws holding the outside strips surrounding the slide opening. Some think the screws were over torqued, others seem to lean toward very low quality screws or corrosion. One person is sending them off to a materials lab for evaluation(!). GD has always authorized dealer repairs so far. A few have taken it on themselves to drill new holes, and use bigger #10 zinc screws to rectify the issue.

**Steve7** · 04-06-2017, 10:38 PM

Thanks for the info fellows!
Rob, I may try that punch method.
Mike, did you drill, punch, or use another method for getting the old screws out?

**Mrgrumpy007** · 04-06-2017, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by Steve7

Thanks for the info fellows!
Rob, I may try that punch method.
Mike, did you drill, punch, or use another method for getting the old screws out?

I used a drill just smaller than the screw.

**Steve7** · 04-08-2017, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by Mrgrumpy007

I used a drill just smaller than the screw.

Thanks Mike,

Sorry for delayed response. A large tree took out our internet almost two days ago. Got a bit of signal today to check forum and emails.

**FT4NOW** · 04-08-2017, 10:20 AM

We had something similar on our Momentum, 3 of our floor tie downs each had a screw head come off. We dont haul any "toys" either so i know im not overloading the tie downs with anything. Since we dont use the tie downs right now it hasnt been on the top of my to-do list.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk