Hi all,
I'm not certain if this is the appropriate place to post this but here goes.
I need some help, the latch that holds the screen door to the door has a broken spring. I have opened the liner on the door but this latch is screwed on from the outside. Can someone tell me how to pop this latch apart so that a new spring can be inserted.
Thanks
Tom
Neither my 67 or 83 even has a spring on the one on the inside. They just slide. (Now the spring on the outside door retainer on the 83 has a broken spring, but that's another story)
Is that latch original? What years used this exact latch?
Is it still available?
Seems like I read a thread about opening these latches and replacing springs not long ago. They may have been talking of another type latch tho.
I will try to find it. If successful I will of course post link here this thread.
My 76 has a spring that allows it to automatically snap back and hold the screen. Don't ask me how you get it apart because I haven't tried. I do know that the outside door hold has no spring left, but I don't think it makes much difference. I have a replacement but not worth the trouble to pop the rivets and replace.
__________________ Judy and Bob
At Home in Oklahoma
Attachment 60481Hi all,
I'm not certain if this is the appropriate place to post this but here goes.
I need some help, the latch that holds the screen door to the door has a broken spring. I have opened the liner on the door but this latch is screwed on from the outside. Can someone tell me how to pop this latch apart so that a new spring can be inserted.
Thanks
Tom
That black latch was used for years to hold the screen door to the entrance door and to hold the lid closed that was attached to the bumper, called the sewer hose compartment.
That part was discontinued several years ago.
The latch was attached to the door with a couple of pop rivets. Then the sliding cover was snapped in place.
Unfortunately if you try to pry the sliding cover off, you will warp it, rendering it useless.
Basically, it was a one time deal.
It can be replaced using the later main door holdback and the metal housing that covered it.
You may or may not need to add a shim to make it work in your case, to hold the screen door to the entrance door.
We have sold hundreds of those parts, for that purpose.
That latch can be carefully pried off its base, which is how we fixed ours. I left the base screwed to the door, carefully pried off the latch, installed a new spring, and snapped the latch back in place.
__________________
Terry You repair things with tools. You fix things with a hammer.
AIR#2611
Thank you all for the quick responses. I'll try the pry method if that doesn't work I'll be calling Andy.
Thanks again for all the inputs. I'll post the results.
Tom
Slide the latch back to the most open position and then pry it out with a thin blade from the rear and side. It has "ears" on it underneath and is flexible enough to remove and go back in.
To get the original part buy this latch from Inland or any Airstream dealer and part it out.
Andy seems all the small parts I need this week are discontinued , I need one of those latches for the bumper cover and was going to call you tomorrow! Is 18693 a good replacement for that purpose also? Will a shim be needed, and is it close enough that it will match the other side or should I replace in sets?
Would be a good investment of time to use a hair drier to warm the door latch to let it pop free easier, I've had mine apart in 90~F weather in sunshine and didn't have much grief about it...
Slide the latch back to the most open position and then pry it out with a thin blade from the rear and side. It has "ears" on it underneath and is flexible enough to remove and go back in.
This is exactly how I fixed mine as well. The key is to slide it back to the open position, as Gary said.
__________________
Cameron & the Labradors
Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Canada
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