RAS Broke!!!!!!
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Texas
RAS Broke!!!!!!
On my way to the Airport Monday morning at 0500 (dark -thirty as they say), I heard a pretty loud "pop" and then a spring-like sound from the left rear of the EX. Something you here when the Screen door spring releases it's energy. It was on an elevated curve to the left and I was going about 45 mph. No bump, ruts, & nothing in the road.
Since I could not stop on the Interstate (couldn't have seen anything anyway), and the truck seemed to be handling fine, I drove on to the Airport. Once I got there, I went back w/ the flashlight and low & behold, the entire toggle, spring, threaded shaft and shackle bracket were gone off the left side!!!!!
It appears the Hex headed "bolt" that goes thru the forward toggle (looks like a "T") must have broke and the whole assembly launched itself right out the back of the the truck.
Anybody seen a failure like this? Anybody know where I can get one side of a RAS to replace it????
I took the right side off until I can decide what to do. Bummer as I liked the way it made the truck ride especially when towiing.
D
Since I could not stop on the Interstate (couldn't have seen anything anyway), and the truck seemed to be handling fine, I drove on to the Airport. Once I got there, I went back w/ the flashlight and low & behold, the entire toggle, spring, threaded shaft and shackle bracket were gone off the left side!!!!!
It appears the Hex headed "bolt" that goes thru the forward toggle (looks like a "T") must have broke and the whole assembly launched itself right out the back of the the truck.
Anybody seen a failure like this? Anybody know where I can get one side of a RAS to replace it????
I took the right side off until I can decide what to do. Bummer as I liked the way it made the truck ride especially when towiing.
D
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Ontario, CA
I had it happen a year ago, more or less..... I had one I had gotten on e-bay; the seller had a bunch of overstock NIB units.
I contacted RAS about a replacement. They explained they had upgraded the threaded rods to ~9/16" from the 1/2" they had used prior. They gave me a great deal on the new style set.
I still have the other one in my garage. You can have it if you like; just cover shipping. But before you do, measure the theaded rod on ths one you still have!!
BTW....mine was the left side that broke, also. My wife was using the Ex that day, and she nearly $&!^ herself when it let loose!!
PM me if you are interested!
I contacted RAS about a replacement. They explained they had upgraded the threaded rods to ~9/16" from the 1/2" they had used prior. They gave me a great deal on the new style set.
I still have the other one in my garage. You can have it if you like; just cover shipping. But before you do, measure the theaded rod on ths one you still have!!
BTW....mine was the left side that broke, also. My wife was using the Ex that day, and she nearly $&!^ herself when it let loose!!
PM me if you are interested!
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Texas
Thanks Don. Reps to you for the info and taking the time for the pictures. I have (or had) the same unit.
My failed unit likely resullted from a tensile failure of the Hex headed bolt on the Axle end of the assembly. I've searched the Internet and have not found any information on the typical failure modes of these units since the manufacturer changed the design on the Axel end of the assembly.
I may try and start a survey Thread to see what history the Forum members can supply. I doubt the manufacturer would be very forthcoming with such information (although i have not given them a chance to do so).
So far what this shows is the left side is the one to watch but the sample is so small, I don't think we could draw any conclusions yet.
D
My failed unit likely resullted from a tensile failure of the Hex headed bolt on the Axle end of the assembly. I've searched the Internet and have not found any information on the typical failure modes of these units since the manufacturer changed the design on the Axel end of the assembly.
I may try and start a survey Thread to see what history the Forum members can supply. I doubt the manufacturer would be very forthcoming with such information (although i have not given them a chance to do so).
So far what this shows is the left side is the one to watch but the sample is so small, I don't think we could draw any conclusions yet.
D
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From: Texas
dsquared -
When they re-designed these did they "up-size" both ends of the units to 9/16 inch? Given the size of the "barrel" on the axle end, that would not leave much material there.
I think the weakest point in the design now is the Cap Screw ( Hex headed bolt) and that it is undersized (either in cross section or grade) for the potential "shock" load when the rear wheel hits "irregularities" on the road (or may worse - off road).
Thanks for all the assistance, D
When they re-designed these did they "up-size" both ends of the units to 9/16 inch? Given the size of the "barrel" on the axle end, that would not leave much material there.
I think the weakest point in the design now is the Cap Screw ( Hex headed bolt) and that it is undersized (either in cross section or grade) for the potential "shock" load when the rear wheel hits "irregularities" on the road (or may worse - off road).
Thanks for all the assistance, D
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
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From: Florida
One of the main reasons I purchased mine directly from RAS back in 2007 was that they told me that they had changed their design to improve it in this area...there was one retailer on the internet that had a bunch of the older style RAS' left in inventory that he/she was selling...
I can only imagine the RACKET this thing makes when it goes...kind of like a garage door spring I bet when they go BOOM!!!
It is lucky it isn't the passengers side that goes due to the rear A/C lines in close proximity to the RAS!!!
Reps sent your way Don!
Joe.
I can only imagine the RACKET this thing makes when it goes...kind of like a garage door spring I bet when they go BOOM!!!
It is lucky it isn't the passengers side that goes due to the rear A/C lines in close proximity to the RAS!!!
Reps sent your way Don!
Joe.
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Senior User
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From: Texas
There are some of the "old" styles still running around out there. I know that one change that was made was to go to the more robust arrangement on the axle end where they have a 1" SS slug kept in place by the Steel strap which is wrapped around it. I suppose that codl be the 2nd generation RAS. That "old" type is shown in the Pics in this thread. The "old" syle used the same arrangement as the Shackle end which is just a "cup bushing" bearing against the shackle plate. Taht one failed quickly.
I suppose the next "upgarde" (3rd Generation???) that the RAS guys did was to up size the threaded rod. Like just about everyother product out there, things should continuously improve in either price or quality (or better yet - both!!!).
D
I suppose the next "upgarde" (3rd Generation???) that the RAS guys did was to up size the threaded rod. Like just about everyother product out there, things should continuously improve in either price or quality (or better yet - both!!!).
D
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
When I look at mine versus the photos above...the "barrel end" and the adjustment screw thru there looks different...the cap head screw has a washer arrangement between the screw head and the barrel...
I didn't measure the threaded rod though...
So have you been in contact with RAS directly about this?
I didn't measure the threaded rod though...
So have you been in contact with RAS directly about this?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
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From: Texas
Did not contact RAS since the units I installed were not new and I have no way to "validate" any warranty actions. There are too many other things demanding my attention and money right now.
I will give them a call to see what they can tell me about the latest "improvements", the failure mode and rate for previous 'releases", and post the results on the Forum.
D
I will give them a call to see what they can tell me about the latest "improvements", the failure mode and rate for previous 'releases", and post the results on the Forum.
D
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Senior User
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From: Texas
Reps to you Don (dsquared) for the back-up RAS unit you sent me.
For those interested in such things, the threaded rod on my unit is a grade 8 (approx 135,000 psi tensile) and the hex cap scew (on the axle end) is a metirc unit and grade 12.9 (approx 175,000 psi tensile). At least that is what all the brochures and internet research says.
The latest design development has been to the axle mounting bracket so you can now mount the units without having to un-screw your axle u-bolts for the bracket. The new bracket fits "over and around" the leaf springs and comes in two pieces that "sandwich" the axle end toggle and cap screw between them. Much faster and easier install.
For those interested in such things, the threaded rod on my unit is a grade 8 (approx 135,000 psi tensile) and the hex cap scew (on the axle end) is a metirc unit and grade 12.9 (approx 175,000 psi tensile). At least that is what all the brochures and internet research says.
The latest design development has been to the axle mounting bracket so you can now mount the units without having to un-screw your axle u-bolts for the bracket. The new bracket fits "over and around" the leaf springs and comes in two pieces that "sandwich" the axle end toggle and cap screw between them. Much faster and easier install.
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From: Texas
RAS Broke same failure mode (I Think)
Well Guys, IT BROKE AGAIN!!!!!!!
When this happened the first time it was on the right side and for no apparent reason. This time it is again on the rihgt side but it happened as I slowly went over a speed bump in a parking lot.
Bong when the RAS!
Having learned the hard way the first time, I had previously secured the units to the spings with loose tywraps so if it did break (which it did), I would still have the forensic evidence needed to determine where and why.
The failure point is as I suspected at the juncture of the Nut and Cap Screw on the "toggle end" of the unit. I suspect that when the spring is "rotated" during operation, that the large (1") SS slug that forms the pivot joint does not move adequately.
This results in a large torque to the Cap screw which is concentrated at the nut/bolt juncture (where it failed in shear) at the spring. Of course the bolt head end shot out and was not recoverd but I did save the 1" SS "slug", sping & broken threads/nut, long bolt and spring hanger end.
I suggest everyone that has RAS put some tywaps on the spring hanger end just in case. It might save your AC lines, etc.
I'm going to contact the Roadmaster Folks on Monday to see what they have to say.
D
When this happened the first time it was on the right side and for no apparent reason. This time it is again on the rihgt side but it happened as I slowly went over a speed bump in a parking lot.
Bong when the RAS!
Having learned the hard way the first time, I had previously secured the units to the spings with loose tywraps so if it did break (which it did), I would still have the forensic evidence needed to determine where and why.
The failure point is as I suspected at the juncture of the Nut and Cap Screw on the "toggle end" of the unit. I suspect that when the spring is "rotated" during operation, that the large (1") SS slug that forms the pivot joint does not move adequately.
This results in a large torque to the Cap screw which is concentrated at the nut/bolt juncture (where it failed in shear) at the spring. Of course the bolt head end shot out and was not recoverd but I did save the 1" SS "slug", sping & broken threads/nut, long bolt and spring hanger end.
I suggest everyone that has RAS put some tywaps on the spring hanger end just in case. It might save your AC lines, etc.
I'm going to contact the Roadmaster Folks on Monday to see what they have to say.
D