RSV Owners

[Ragtop69gs]

To Everyone with a Hannigan kit,

Take a few minutes and check the tightness of the torx head bolts that secure the driveshaft to the rear end. They are known to come loose and disappear at the worst possible time.

 

[Papa Zook]

To Everyone with a Hannigan kit,

Take a few minutes and check the tightness of the torx head bolts that secure the driveshaft to the rear end. They are known to come loose and disappear at the worst possible time.

Bolts are bolts and do not know the name of the kit they are on. Unfortunately the majority of all trike owners go years without performing any routine maintenance at all, like checking critical bolts/nuts, the one's that secure a spinning drive shaft or hold the rear wheels on for an example. Though it is an extremely rare occurrence, bolts can loosen on any trike or bike regardless of brand. Do the yearly maintenance guys.

 

[Ragtop69gs]

Bolts are bolts and do not know the name of the kit they are on. Unfortunately the majority of all trike owners go years without performing any routine maintenance at all, like checking critical bolts, the one's that secure a spinning drive shaft or hold the rear wheels on for an example. Though it is an extremely rare occurrence, bolts can loosen on any trike or bike regardless of brand. Do the yearly maintenance guys.

I totally agree with you about that Zook. Proper PM is always a good thing for safety's sake.

I posted this reminder because I as well as a few others I know with Venture/ Hannigan trikes have had this problem. It is a design problem from Ford motor company, NOT Hannigan. These bolts come loose on the Tbirds and other cars that this rear differential originally was used in.

Below is a picture of the bolts, the 12 point bolts to the right of the u-joint. These bolts can be bought through any Ford dealer. I carry a few spares in the trunk.

View attachment 26243

 

[Hannigan Motorsports]

Thanks so much to the OP and to Zook as well for pointing out the absolute importance and necessity of proper and thorough PM (Preventive Maintenance). It goes without saying that a proper PM Routine & Regimen is necessary and warranted regarding any Machine. The level of such is directly proportionate to its Longevity and Enjoyment while minimizing unexpected and unfortunate Issues from arising.

To address this specifically named area and Assembly/Parts, it is a Non-Issue and far from any concern at all when the Kit is installed as intended, instructed and trained.

Those Bolts are indeed Ford/Motorcraft and come from the Manufacturer with Red Lock-Tite on the threads. As long as the Red Lock-Tite is present and they are properly torqued to 100 ft/lbs there will not be any issues or mishaps to occur. Should that Red Lock-Tite not be present due to non-OEM Bolts being used (should never be the case) or other such cause, then Installers are instructed to apply it prior to installation and the proper Torque value (again, 100 ft/lbs) is achieved and checked.

In the VERY few Cases where any problem arose in this Assembly or the named Bolts, it can be directly attributed to improper Torque and/or the absence of Red Lock-Tite (inspection of the Bolts themselves quickly and easily prove this Fact) on the threads.

That being said and true, the above Statement of Fact is not meant in any way to be construed as a derogatory judgment against or indictment of any Installer or Client in the least.

In the "real-World", mistakes and oversights do occur even to the best of us. As the Adage goes, "To Err is Human" and we all have regardless of our best intentions and efforts. This unfortunate Fact is one of the main reasons and necessities for conducting proper PM & regular Inspections on all mechanical devices and Machines.

We realize, applaud, and thank the vast majority of our Dealer and Owner Family for their diligence in performing such regularly and being a valued part of and contributor to our long-standing stellar Record & Reputation for both Quality & Longevity among the Trike, Sidecar, and Trailer Communities.

Should anyone suspect this Issue or just wish to insure it is not present, simply pull one of those Bolts (kudos to Ragtop for the Pic above showing them and their location) and check for the presence of Red Lock-Tite on the threads. Reinstall to proper Torque value. Then check all of those Bolts for 100 ft/lbs of Torque. Then, add this Check to your current PM Check-List should it not already be.

Again, we sincerely thank our great Friends RagTop & Zook for the valuable Reminder and the opportunity to discuss this with our honored Family here on Trike Talk ThumbUp

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Correctly stated John. You beat me to the obvious! Loc-tite is the key + proper torque!

 

[the paparazzi]

Well to be honest I have been aware of this and it's something that I have been going to do but have been negligent to say the least :cxtv:. So Can anyone share what size torx socket that is required? So I have one on hand when doing the deed.. Just hate to get under there and finding out I don't have one in my repertoire..