Replacing Keel rollers

demarko210

demarko210

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@Chris1956 I am replacing the ubolts all of them. The Ubolts, should they be 304 stainless, hot dipped galvanized? I am seeing some other materials also.

The paint is hard to come by in the pint size but I found some on amazon for 68. Like you said mostly spray can in the store. I know that will kill my fingers but readily available. Should I paint the ubolts with this compound?

I also need to change the top angle brackets. So I have a job ahead of me at this point. Probably would be quicker just to cut the bolts off one by one with cut off wheel. I did place some premium oil on the bolts a few days ago.
 
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Chris1956

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The u-bolts will likely snap when you go to remove them. As long as they are not too thick, breaking them is probably easier than cutting them off.

HD Gavanized is a reasonable replacement. Concentrate the paint on the areas that are rusty or look like they are close to rusting. Use a wire brush to remove any surface rust, before painting.
 
demarko210

demarko210

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After shopping on Amazon for those U-bolts and ordering a set to see the quality, I decided to send them suckers back. I do not see them lasting a third long as the original hardware. I went back to easterns marine for the original ubolts. Have to say damn on the cost difference and dont even come with the lock nuts and bracket.
 
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airshot

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My local Home Depot has a good assortment of galvanized bolts and nuts including U bolts of various sizes. You might check them out.
 
demarko210

demarko210

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airshot said:
My local Home Depot has a good assortment of galvanized bolts and nuts including U bolts of various sizes. You might check them out.
Click to expand...
I am going to go ahead and get the original that came on the trailer. I dont see anything else lasting as long.
 
demarko210

demarko210

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So I am having a hell of a time finding ubolts brackets. I called etrailer and they showed me these. I told the rep. not what I am looking for as I told them it was for 12 roller and bracket and they came up with these. I showed them the part I am installing and told them it was for a 3" frame.

Eastern Trailer have the factory ubolts and nuts/washer but do not have the bracket that has the same hole on center measurements. Went to my local hardware store Hyatt Builder supply and they had nothing I could use there as a bracket the would not corrode. Probably could use on the keel roller bracket ubolts but not on the bunk ubolts.
 
dingbat

dingbat

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demarko210 said:
So I am having a hell of a time finding ubolts brackets. I called etrailer and they showed me these. I told the rep. not what I am looking for as I told them it was for 12 roller and bracket and they came up with these. I showed them the part I am installing and told them it was for a 3" frame.

Eastern Trailer have the factory ubolts and nuts/washer but do not have the bracket that has the same hole on center measurements. Went to my local hardware store Hyatt Builder supply and they had nothing I could use there as a bracket the would not corrode. Probably could use on the keel roller bracket ubolts but not on the bunk ubolts.
Click to expand...
If your trailer is a Loadrite, they changed how the bunk brackets are attached
Finger channel pos-lock-3”

Bunk Brackets | Load Rite Trailers

Check out Load Rite's online store for a selection of bunk brackets for your boat trailer.
www.loadrite.com www.loadrite.com
 
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Chris1956

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Well, I a real surprised you are having trouble getting galv u-bolts at that place. They are pretty generic, in my mind.

I would expect you could order them on the web. Maybe not as cheap as Amazon, but they should be available from a fastener place.

I always bought replacement parts including u-bolts at places like EM, or the local hardware store. I never had any issue.
 
demarko210

demarko210

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@Chris1956 I went with these ubolts for the keel roller brackets. I have not received them yet so I dont know the quality. But they look good in the image. Most of the ones on Amazon are cheap shinny 304 SS. I did purchase some with the bracket but when I weighed the unbolt and compared to the original ones same diameter the Amazon was almost half the weight and same diameter. I sent those back quick.
 
demarko210

demarko210

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I actually purchase these to see if they will fit. If not I will send them back. I have the 3 keel roller brackets off. I actually sent back those keel roller w/mounting bracket I purchase (3 $61) and just bought the roller and end caps and a threaded rod. I will clean up and reuse the old one.
1704971093004.png
 
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demarko210

demarko210

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@dingbat
I have not started the bunk unbolts yet. FOr those Ubolts I will order from EastM the originals to hold the weight of the boat. Plus the bunk Ubolts do not need the bracket. I did order the 12 swivel brackets though.
 
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Chris1956

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Gee, I thought it a count, wire brush and paint as the first step. Now as the final step, order the right parts, receive and install the new hardware. The OP made it more complicated than I thought it should be. JMO
 
demarko210

demarko210

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So the old plates I got a real good look at them even though I already ordered the new ones. The old plates are still good just surface rust. Everything is here to replace the rollers except the Ubolts. I will post some images later today.
 
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