Installing Replacement Drivers Sliding Window

[lmmsanso]

I need some advise, I have a broken Drivers Sliding Window. I purchased a new window from Inland RV, but the existing original window hardware was installed with rivits. My question is were to get these rivits to replace the originals?

[Keyair]

To replace the window, you don't need any rivets...
You must remove the schlegle rubber seal tho to have enough space to get the window in...
Remove the seal... replace it if its anything less than perfect... Andy can fix you up with that too.

Once the seal is out, the sliding window goes in... top first, then bottom.
Then you pull the seal back in place by sliding it under and over the glass...

[Keyair]

Read here....
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f160...air-19059.html

[lmmsanso]

Sorry I guess I was not clear enough. The window I am trying to replace is the Drivers Sliding Window in the cockpit, not a side window in the cabin. I found a thread were a bolt and nut was used to replace the rivet in question.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...tch-72981.html

I was wondering if there was a better way of mounting the latch on the new glass slider.

[Keyair]

No, I understood you just fine...
That thread has info on replacing the sliding window cockpit window too.
Getting the window in and out is tricky, but not impossible.
The method for doing it is as I stated above.... seal needs to be out, and you put the top of the window in first then the bottom, then pull the seal in place by sliding the window back and forth.
On mine, the handle/latch had become deformed, and I had to remove it and gently rebend it... now it works fine and does not hit the forward fixed glass.
Let us know if you need more help... its not as obvious as it will become once you have done it!
I have talked at least 2 Classic owners off the ledge on this job!

[wxbuoy]

Originally Posted by Keyair

No, I understood you just fine...
That thread has info on replacing the sliding window cockpit window too.
Getting the window in and out is tricky, but not impossible.
The method for doing it is as I stated above.... seal needs to be out, and you put the top of the window in first then the bottom, then pull the seal in place by sliding the window back and forth.
On mine, the handle/latch had become deformed, and I had to remove it and gently rebend it... now it works fine and does not hit the forward fixed glass.
Let us know if you need more help... its not as obvious as it will become once you have done it!
I have talked at least 2 Classic owners off the ledge on this job!

Listen to Keyair, he is a guru (also mental health professional ) He helped me do both of my cockpit windows. PM if you want my number abd I can talk you through it.... Just like Key did for me!

[Keyair]

Originally Posted by wxbuoy

Listen to Keyair, he is a guru (also mental health professional ) He helped me do both of my cockpit windows. PM if you want my number abd I can talk you through it.... Just like Key did for me!

ROFL Dave,
I wondered when you were gonna chime in!
As I stated, and I know you know... The instructions make sense once you have completed the job!

[lmmsanso]

I re-read the post and I think I understand the process involved in rebuilding the track and fuzzy seal that the window sits and "glides" in. Thank you Keyair for bringing that to my attention I didn't realize that it would be so labour intensive.

I must have missed something though. I have a new slider window with two holes in it. One hole is where, on the original window one of the holes had a rivit in the held the window latch in place. How do you mount the old latch mechanism onto the new glass? This has to be done before installing the glass because it is covered by the fixed side window of the cockpit. I am not sure what purpose of the other hole is, on my unit it had a rivit with nothing on the inside. Same on the passenger side.

Thank you for your help on this.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by lmmsanso

I re-read the post and I think I understand the process involved in rebuilding the track and fuzzy seal that the window sits and "glides" in. Thank you Keyair for bringing that to my attention I didn't realize that it would be so labour intensive.

I must have missed something though. I have a new slider window with two holes in it. One hole is where, on the original window one of the holes had a rivit in the held the window latch in place. How do you mount the old latch mechanism onto the new glass? This has to be done before installing the glass because it is covered by the fixed side window of the cockpit. I am not sure what purpose of the other hole is, on my unit it had a rivit with nothing on the inside. Same on the passenger side.

Thank you for your help on this.

I might be able to answer the question about the "other" hole. The early Argosy (74-75?) motorhomes had different latch mechanisms on the cockpit windows. The forward hole has a handle with no latch and the rear hole is for the latch plate.

JudgesArgosy posted these pictures a while back but they should give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Where the finger is in the first picture there is a button head screw holding the handle in place.



These two pictures are of my 74 Argosy motorhome showing how the latch at the rear of the window is configured.



I believe these latches were only used in 74 and 75 however I believe all of the slider windows that Airstream used on all of the Argosy and Classic motorhomes have the two holes. In the 1984 310 we have and the 1986 345 that I dismantled they both had the rear holes plugged with a rivet.

Brad

[lmmsanso]

Thanks Brad, That clears up that mystery. Just need to figure out how to mount the latch assembly to the front of the slider window before I tackle the track issues.

I am thinking about having the mounting plate back side machined down to 1/2 thickness around the rivet mount so a nut could be used. Using locktite "red" thread sealer and an glue to ensure the base assembly doesn't loosen or fall off after the window is installed. Any comments?

Mark

[WB1234]

Originally Posted by wxbuoy

Listen to Keyair, he is a guru (also mental health professional ) He helped me do both of my cockpit windows. PM if you want my number abd I can talk you through it.... Just like Key did for me!

Hi there, I am working on a 1989 345 LE I recently purchased and am getting ready for travel. I am replacing gaskets and appreciate the thread above for the info on the cockpit window sliders. I am going to have to replace the gasket all the way around the fixed window on both sides though.

Question: Does anyone have a part number, measurement/size and a vendor for the gasket that goes around the forward fixed window? I have all of the other gasket, shlagel, fin seal, trim seal I need for the sliders, but the fixed window gaskets are shot and must be replaced.

I appreciate any advice, guidance, and tips for the forward fixed window in the passenger and driver side cockpit sliding windows.

[bkahler]

It's been years since I removed one so I be missing a few details but unless I'm missing something from your question, in order to replace the gasket around the fixed window the entire window frame has to be removed from the coach.

This entails drilling out all of the rivets on the outside of the coach, removing all trim around the inside of the window, removing some screws holding the window frame along the flat inside of the coach. There is a drain tube at the bottom of the window that needs to be disconnected by removing the plastic panel/arm rest below the window and then removing the skin that was behind the plastic panel.

Removing cockpit windows is not a trivial task. I may be wrong on a few details but the above pretty much covers it.

Somewhere in one of the threads on a 345 I dismantled I believe I posted pictures of what that area looks like.

Brad

[pauluptime]

I also need to replace the forward fixed window seal (passenger side of my '87 345) that is presently loose and falling out due to the separation of the vertical (angled) mid bar from the larger frame.

I'd hate to have to drill out all the rivets and remove the entire window and frame, but I really need to fix it as the mid bar being loose allows the fixed/forward window to fall back along with the seal, allowing wind and water to come in and potentially the window glass to fall right out.

The grey seal around the perimeter of that fixed forward side window appears to be molded including fused corners to the perimeter shape. I doubt it, but sure would be wonderful if the seal (Schlegel?) that can be purchased by linear foot might also be available with the fused corners?

That angled mid bar appears to be screwed down from the top and up from the bottom. With both those screws broken, I can move the mid bar around the channel, even pull it out. If I can find (or make) a new seal for the fixed window, I think I might be able to , pull out the fixed window and install the new seal, then find a way of riveting, bracketing or screwing a plate to resecure the mid bar into the full frame channel and fix it back in place (thus avoiding drilling out rivets and removing the entire frame.)


That bar looks to be screwed down from the top and up through the bottom of the larger fram Unfortun

[pauluptime]

Here's a pic of the fixed (e.g. non-moving) passenger side front window and the mid bar that is no longer attached at top or bottom, allowing the window to slide back out of the seal and nearly fall out of the channel.

[pauluptime]

Originally Posted by WB1234

I am going to have to replace the gasket all the way around the fixed window on both sides though.

Question: Does anyone have a part number, measurement/size and a vendor for the gasket that goes around the forward fixed window? I have all of the other gasket, shlagel, fin seal, trim seal I need for the sliders, but the fixed window gaskets are shot and must be replaced.

WB1234 - Appears we're both looking for the same seal. I believe it is a Schlegel window seal but I've not yet found either the correct profile or if it is available to fit the exact perimeter of the fixed glass (with fused corners) or if it's available only by linear foot.

I suppose with enough caulking or sealant to help grip and seal, the corners wouldn't be too bad if they weren't fused.

Also looks like your mid-channel has detached from the full frame just like it has on mine. While this could make seal replacement possible without having to drill out rivets and pull the full window frame assembly out, have you figured a way yet to get that bar to stay in place in the channel?

[martin300662]

I think if the mid-bar is loose, you have a bigger issue. The small set screws that hold the bar are snapped and not only do you need to remove the entire window, but you also have the challenge of removing the remains of those screws so that they can be replaced.

[pauluptime]

Originally Posted by martin300662

I think if the mid-bar is loose, you have a bigger issue. The small set screws that hold the bar are snapped and not only do you need to remove the entire window, but you also have the challenge of removing the remains of those screws so that they can be replaced.

I've ground the screws flat now and will find an alternative to securing the mid bar in place. Removing the entire frame is too big a job.

[Smartstream]

Check out this thread, https://www.airforums.com/forums/f31...ose-89263.html It is a patch repair I did on the mid bar on my 280. It may not be eloquent but it's still holding. Good luck