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**Kevin245** · 10-20-2008, 08:09 PM

I'm rebuilding the Carefree awning on my 76. The roll tube end caps are plastic and have deteriorated. Oh and here's the shocker...they reportedly are no longer available. I plan to turn new ones from aluminum bar stock unless anyone knows of a source for them. The other question is how the heck do they come off? It looks like the aluminum ends are pressed on to the torsion spring end stud. Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
Kevin

LI Pets · 10-21-2008, 06:21 AM

Yes there's a salvage yard at exit 299 off rt 75 in Fla.

Bob's in High Springs

386-454-573

I was there last Feb he has a ton of stuff

utee94 · 10-21-2008, 06:38 AM

Try this site-- he seems to have mostly A&E, but I saw some Carefree parts in there as well. You'll have to dig through, the website isn't organized too well.

Marksrv.com home page

Good luck!

-Marcus

overlander63 · 10-21-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by utee94

Try this site-- he seems to have mostly A&E, but I saw some Carefree parts in there as well. You'll have to dig through, the website isn't organized too well.

Marksrv.com home page

Good luck!

-Marcus

Just an FYI, A&E is a part of Dometic now. Of course, that's subject to change at any time, with current economic conditions.

**Kevin245** · 10-24-2008, 08:42 AM

Well I had no luck finding replacement end caps for the old Carefree Awning. So quick call to a friend got me a piece of 1" by 7" aluminum flat bar (6061T-6). Here is the progress so far.

Kevin

Dan@LED4RV · 10-24-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin245

Well I had no luck finding replacement end caps for the old Carefree Awning. So quick call to a friend got me a piece of 1" by 7" aluminum flat bar (6061T-6). Here is the progress so far.

Kevin

Kevin, those look great! They will be there when everything else is gone.

Here is a link to the original caps.

Dan

**Kevin245** · 10-24-2008, 10:33 AM

Hey Dan,

Thanks for the tip. I have anonther unit that I plan to restore later next year. I'll give you a call and order a couple so iIcan avoid having to machine any more.
Thanks,

Kevin

RivrCtyStrmr · 10-24-2008, 10:46 AM

Please keep posting progress. I have the exact same awning problem!

**Kevin245** · 10-28-2008, 10:59 AM

The caps are done...Except for a little polishing of the ID.

But the funny thing is during a break from the lathe I pulled a Dometic spring set out of a spare tube we had laying around and started measuring. Hummmm.....A few calculations and 20 minutes with the stationary belt sander....I was able to modify the Dometic spring set to fit the old Carefree arm brackets. I'm heading to the mountains Thursday to do the install...