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Hinge bolts keep loosening

Tjcoley
Tjcoley Posts: 3,551
7th or 8th cook on the new replacement Egg, using the old hinge and bands.  After every cook, I have to re-tighten the hinge bolts.  After opening the dome a few times, the bolts become loose and the dome won't even stay up by the end of the cook.  Do I need to replace the lock nuts?
__________________________________________
It's not a science, it's an art. And it's flawed.
- Camp Hill, PA

Comments

  • Randy1
    Randy1 Posts: 379
    edited April 2014
    Edited comment out...you can't do what I suggested.
    Maumelle, Arkansas
  • grege345
    grege345 Posts: 3,515
    What about loctite?
    LBGE& SBGE———————————————•———————– Pennsylvania / poconos

  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    edited April 2014
    Honest - next time you tighten them make sure you tightened them enough to bend the bolts then run a second nut up behind each of the first nuts! That is an old mechanics trick called double-nutting and it works - all jokes aside!
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • CANMAN1976
    CANMAN1976 Posts: 1,593
    RRP said:

    Honest - next time you tighten them make sure you tightened them enough to bend the bolts then run a second nut up behind each of the first nuts! That is an old mechanics trick called double-nutting and it works - all jokes aside!

    This worked for me.

    Hows ya gettin' on, me ol ****



    Kippens.Newfoundland and Labrador. (Canada).
  • td66snrf
    td66snrf Posts: 1,821
    Are you talking about the hinge bolts or the band bolts?
    XLBGE, LBGE, MBGE, SMALL, MINI, 2 Kubs, Fire Magic Gasser
  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    Double nutting works for loose hinge bolts too!
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • markem
    markem Posts: 54
    You can also use white loctite.
  • Tjcoley
    Tjcoley Posts: 3,551
    I may try double nutting - sounds like a plan. 
    It is the four hinge bolts on both sides.
    image

    Band bolts seem fine.


    __________________________________________
    It's not a science, it's an art. And it's flawed.
    - Camp Hill, PA
  • Tjcoley
    Tjcoley Posts: 3,551
    Not sure why the pic of the band bolt didn't attach to the other post.
    __________________________________________
    It's not a science, it's an art. And it's flawed.
    - Camp Hill, PA
  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    edited April 2014
    Just sayin here...ok?...but the second picture of your band and bolts aren't quite right either. The bands should appear to run in a straight parallel line which yours don't - especially the top band is out of alignment. Even one of the tabs are bent so that the square head of the bolt under the carriage cap is not sitting squarely in the band hole. Also I don't sense any bend in your band bolts like BGE even suggests. Reason I'm saying this I think your bands are twisted or at least in a bind which is throwing off the hinge at the back. OTOH maybe the loose hinge bolts started the problem. If nothing else are there locking washers under the nuts on your hinge bolts? They typically look like pointy stars.
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • Tjcoley
    Tjcoley Posts: 3,551
    Thanks @RRP.  Maybe I'll take it apart and start over.
    __________________________________________
    It's not a science, it's an art. And it's flawed.
    - Camp Hill, PA
  • ChokeOnSmoke
    ChokeOnSmoke Posts: 1,942
    edited April 2014
    Double nuts and bent bolts like RRP said....
    image
    Packerland, Wisconsin

  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880
    LOL...a little help from Photo Shop I assume? If not then what is that?
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • Durangler
    Durangler Posts: 1,122
    Double nuts and bent bolts like RRP said....
    image
    WOW!!
    :-O
    XL BGE, 22" Weber Red Head, Fiesta Gasser .... Peoria,AZ
  • Tjcoley
    Tjcoley Posts: 3,551
    Used my original Egg for over 2 years - these are the same bolts. Never were bent.
    __________________________________________
    It's not a science, it's an art. And it's flawed.
    - Camp Hill, PA
  • QDude
    QDude Posts: 1,052
    Tjcoley said:
    Used my original Egg for over 2 years - these are the same bolts. Never were bent.
    I'm pretty sure that they should be bent.

    Northern Colorado Egghead since 2012.

    XL BGE and a KBQ.

  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,880

    Tjcoley said:
    Used my original Egg for over 2 years - these are the same bolts. Never were bent.
    but you also said earlier:
    7th or 8th cook on the new replacement Egg, using the old hinge and bands.

    There as well may be the problem! These eggs are made in slip molds and each base and dome CAN be different after they dry and before/after firing. I'm not saying they are like snowflakes and no two are the same - but there CAN be differences. 

    If I were you I would really take it apart, correct the bends in the bands, re-tighten the bolts, add locking washers, tighten like crazy, double nut where I can and go from there!

    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
  • ChokeOnSmoke
    ChokeOnSmoke Posts: 1,942
    edited April 2014
    RRP said:
    LOL...a little help from Photo Shop I assume? If not then what is that?
    Not sure what you mean?  This was a picture I took the day I removed my XL lid to put on the Rutland gasket (that I got from you!) about 3-4 years ago.  If your bolts aren't bent, the nuts aren't tight enough in my opinion...
    Packerland, Wisconsin