Shear Bolts Shearing on Motorhome Slide Outs

Shear Bolts Shearing on the Power Gear Slide Out Mechanisms

Country Tribute, Inspire and Allure models have Power Gear electric slide out room mechanisms that run one or more slide rooms in and out.  These mechanisms are connected to a drive shaft that is protected by the shear bolts.  The bolts are ¼” hexagon headed by 1 ½” long Grade 8 shear bolts. There are four shear bolts for every slide room, including one on either side of the motor and one at each end of slide room extension arms. 

When these shear bolts shear off, the slide room becomes inoperable and the bolts have to be replaced.  You can see these bolts by looking next to the motor and into the bay under the slide room arm. The two bolts located under the slide room arm are very difficult to view and gain access to. 

     There are several things that will cause these bolts to shear off and break. The most common problem is having the slide room overloaded.  Do not overload your slide room when moving the room in and out.  Coach owners often have the tendency to put furniture and things like dog crates in the slide room out of the way.  

 Just remember that these items need to be moved until the slide room is completely in and then they could be moved back. 

Another problem that could cause the bolts to become worn down would be the room becoming bound up and out of sequence.  When the gears that turn the shaft are not turning at the same sequence, say a few “teeth” are off then the timing will be off and the bolt will be over stressed.  The bolts are actually designed to take the pressure from the motor and the shaft so that the bolts sacrifice themselves to protect the motor drive shaft mechanism.   

Please also be aware that the nuts will sometimes come loose from the back of the bolt on their own.  If this happens to you, do not try to replace the shear pin with a bolt that is threaded that fits in the hole.  You must replace with a “shouldered” 1 ½” bolt. 

Carrying an extra set of slide room shear bolts is always a good idea. You can purchase shear bolts from a reputable service center, like the service centers who are CCFI business sponsors.

Thanks to the folks at the former Country Coach Corporation who originally shared this info with Country Coach Friends club members.