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09-02-2016, 11:09 AM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
Airstream - Other
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Grefrath/ Germany
, NRW
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 210
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Classic motorhome door
Hey,
we have a 345 classic moho ("Bangles"), there is something interesting with my hinges:
After a few miles, the upper door pin "move's" upwards ITSELF!
The door fit's "barely" the coach, once we use the levellers, the door closes VERY BAD, if coach is not totally "level-like". (What i am telling is ALLWAYS the fact, regardless the oun is "in" or "out".
I have ALLWAYS to put back the pin, after only a few miles, once i lost aproximately the door...!
Any idea about...?
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09-02-2016, 11:29 AM
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#2
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Keen amature
1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield
, Kent
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,535
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This is quite a common problem on the older trailers and one 'fix' is to insert a hex screw to retain the bolt, or change to a newer type that includes a C-clip to stop it happening. There are many threads about it, here is just one.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...ng-129634.html
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09-03-2016, 02:15 AM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
Airstream - Other
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Grefrath/ Germany
, NRW
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 210
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Hinge pin
Thank you Martin!
i have bought spare pins, not knowing there is a "new style" now with C-ring.
I will check!!!
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09-03-2016, 03:37 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Ebro
, Fla Panhandle
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,212
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Funny Roqufort, I just installed thick spacer washers into my hinges to improve the doors closing.
However, concern about possibly breaking the hinges while driving the pins out caused me to cut a small V in the washer and slide it onto the pin from the side.
This has really improved the function of the door immensely.
You could easily put spacers in place with the pin pulled part way out.
Perhaps some thread lock put on the knurled part of the pin, to keep it in place.
Cheers Richard
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09-03-2016, 04:45 AM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
Airstream - Other
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Grefrath/ Germany
, NRW
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 210
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Hey Richard,
would you mind to post some pictures of it? My washers are lost, while i drove with probably compleet "pin-off"...!
Maybe you can post also a oicture or two, HOW the door fit's, exspecially, on the bottom side? I have to slam the door hard, to get it closed. It could also be a combination of worn lock and pin maybe, I'll make some pictures later.
Thks, Marcus
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09-03-2016, 05:57 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1982 31' Airstream 310
champaign
, Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,072
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Sounds like your hinges may need replaced. New hinge pins can help IF the hole in the hinge casting isnt worn also. Open the door and then lift up on the outer bottom corner of the door. While lifting observe how much movement you have at the hinge. Even a relatively small amount of movement at the hinge can translate into the door sagging a good deal along the bottom outer edge. Have you tried lifting the bottom and then retightening the hinge screws? Of course you have to gain access to the hidden nuts on the back side of the hinge screws. But, if you go that far to expose the back side of the hinge screws I would go ahead and replace the hinges while youve got it apart.
Good luck.
Mike
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09-03-2016, 01:03 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Ebro
, Fla Panhandle
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,212
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HI Marcus, in my case the hinges were still well attached to the door, and to the doorframe. The downward load of the door over the years caused wear at the bearing surfaces of the hinge. This created a bit of space at the top of the doorhinge portion.
Here a pic should help, you can see the white thick washer at the bottom of the gap. This has lifted the door enough to make it open and close nicely.
Of course the correct repair is new hinges, but till then this is a help.
Cheers Richard
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09-04-2016, 10:07 AM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
Airstream - Other
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Grefrath/ Germany
, NRW
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 210
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Hey,
i am posting some pictures now. The first (no Marcus finger visible) show the door, while she is on her "Jacks" and "level", as best i could. Door closes barely, by "slamming", can only lock with the additional Deadbolt lock.
This shows DOWN/LEFT
This shows DOWN/RIGHT
Now, you see the same, as she is on her wheels:
As you can see, the DOWN/LEFT part closes badly, regardless if she is on Jacks, or wheels.
Is this normal, are these rigs really that poor build? Even the "iconic" Alu-shell???
(I know by heart, after all my rebuildings inside, the furniture is "decorative & heavy" crap!
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09-04-2016, 10:14 AM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
Airstream - Other
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Grefrath/ Germany
, NRW
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 210
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What i show now is the lock:
This is on the door, i have adjusted it countless times. Either it work's "so called good" if on Jacks, or on wheels, never on both circumtances.
This is the doorframe part. The "piece" (don't know the english description) is barely tighten, can't tight it well, no chance to reach the nut inside. I am to anxious to de-rivet the total innerframe, to reach the nuts.
My thought was, to "make" a special wrench by cut & weld like an U-shaped tool. Does anybody know, which size this wrench needs to be then?
These pictures show my hinges, coach on wheels, "as is" today, after a 10 mls trip:
Downside
Upside
Again Upside
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