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PeterH-350LE · 09-06-2014, 08:46 PM

I am sure you already know this, but it looks like your awning could use a few rotations on the front arm to tighten the spring

submariner · 09-07-2014, 07:13 AM

Unfortunately the whole awning is very hard to operate. From what i can tell, the front spring is actually rusted and broke. Its on my to do list, but i guess i have to try to roll it by hand a little tighter, until i get around to take it apart..

submariner · 09-11-2014, 05:33 PM

well, the day i was pushing off has come sooner than i expected.. I’m getting new tires tomorrow

submariner · 09-11-2014, 05:35 PM

ohh.. before you guys say anything.. she is blocked nicely under the frame, plus all 4 corner jacks are down...
and while i had the floor jack next to it, i checked all wheels, and each torsion arm has good movements.. so it aint froze up...
Im gonna do the wheel bearings and check the brakes, while everything is off though...

HiHoAgRV · 09-11-2014, 06:14 PM

When we got ours home I found that only 2 of the 6 brakes were actually working.

I seem to recall 1 bad magnet, broken springs, brake adjusters that had fallen out. Luckily all of the parts are common stock at many trailer companies.

With all 6 working you will have a whole bunch of whoa down!

submariner · 09-11-2014, 07:36 PM

well.. not sure if the brakes work at all though..I do know, they all make a lot of rattle..
i probably pull them apart this weekend

Aage · 09-11-2014, 09:32 PM

Here's another thought you may have already heard too, again to do with brakes:

If the brakes on there are original, you might do well to consider buying the "kits" of the whole assembly: new backplate, springs, magnets and shoes, since buying any (small) number of those parts will put you in the same price range as the whole assembly, in many cases.

Plus, nice new surfaces on the drums will help you get a good and even stop every time.

The auto-adjusters aren't much more these days either, and probably worth it.

Just a thought...

cwf · 09-11-2014, 10:03 PM

Are you replacing axles? How much 'drop' do you get when the load is removed? What is the angle below horizontal when on the tires? Measure, take some pics... plz

submariner · 09-12-2014, 04:30 AM

When I have to do the brakes, I usually replace the entire assembly... As you mentioned, it's cheaper in the end and way less work. Btw I purchased the last ones from tracktor supply and had a really good deal...
As for the axles, I will take some pic and measurements. I do know that when the trailer sits on its tires,k the axles have about a 10 degree down angle.. From checking yesterday with a jack I estimate at least 3" travel... But then again.. I was tired and just making sure they ain't froze ...

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submariner · 09-14-2014, 02:59 PM

well,

today was a pretty productive day. I started stripping some more of the clear coat .i have now one side the upper part completely stripped.. i think it looks pretty good.

Once the sun came further up and it gotten to hot for the stripper, i started laying flooring in the entire fwd part. I ended up purchasing Engineered hardwood in Natural Oak. I think it turned out pretty good..

submariner · 09-14-2014, 03:02 PM

here a couple more pictures after we set some of the furniture.

dbj216 · 09-14-2014, 04:40 PM

Nice looking floor Stefan. Did you end up replacing any of the subfloor in the rear of your trailer?

David

submariner · 09-14-2014, 04:43 PM

Not yet :-) I felt like doing the front part before I replace the rear subfloor.. That gets at least some area complete ...
Once the rear subfloor is repaired I'm gonna continue laying floor all the way into the bedroom.
I'm also running the flooring under the rear twin beds..

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Aage · 09-15-2014, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by submariner

here a couple more pictures after we set some of the furniture.

Lovely work! Love the colour of that wood, and your design.

Aage

dbj216 · 09-16-2014, 05:56 AM

We have an 86 Limited so I am enjoying your adventures. You are making good progress in getting this old lady back in action. You did a great job on the dent removals. Did you use suction cups or glue tabs?

Our trailer smells musty after sitting for a while all closed up. We haven't found the source of the smell. I suppose I'm leaking in rain water some where. Did you find the source of the musty smell in your trailer?

David

submariner · 09-16-2014, 07:32 AM

I sure did find the source of all the smell.. It was Rot and some rodent stuff ... Still got to remove the flooring the back bedroom to get the rest out

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submariner · 09-16-2014, 07:33 AM

As for the dents I removed the inside panels and just pushed on it as well as used just my palm to " hammer" the dents out .. Also used a homemade roller

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dbj216 · 09-16-2014, 06:09 PM

Thanks for the reply Stefan. Those dents were easier to work from the back side with your "handy hammer" and a roller. I tried suction cups and glue tabs on a pretty bad dent on my son's Airstream. I made it better, but far from perfect. It needs worked from the inside.

I got a feeling the smell would be reduced if I gutted my trailer and replaced the insulation in the walls. I have replaced the under floor insulation and belly pans. I probably had 2 gallons of water trapped in the belly pans. The new one has drain holes.

David

submariner · 09-20-2014, 08:06 AM

NO--- WHAT HAVE I DONE...

yesterday we decided to continue the stripping of the clear coat.. one side is now completely stripped.

since i was also in the process of polishing the 48 Liner, i thought.. mh, let me see, if i can shine up the 34 a little. :roll eyes:.. and then i started polishing.....
and my wife said.. no you can not polish the 34 its too much work... well now its too late...

maybe i should have listen to here..

. but i thing i got some more work ahead of me before the can opener rally..

maybe i just do one side completely and don’t even though the other side at all

dbj216 · 09-20-2014, 06:12 PM

See, like most of us, you just can't lay the polisher down. I stripped my 86 because the faded and peeled clearcoat looked terrible. Then I started polishing. I figure I have about 400 hours in it. After I finished it, the birds came, and then the acid rain, and then the hail. Kinda disappointing. But Airstreams are meant for traveling, so it still looks better than it did with the crummy old clear coat. Just be ready to look the other way when you find flaws in your polish job.

Kinda looks like you are using a buffing wheel instead of a wool bonnet. Buffing may be faster?

David