nose insert $#&#@#

[bimpy]

Replacing the beige (old yellow) 1" nose insert on overhead roof locker 76 Caravanner. Need advice from anyone who has done this. I can only get the new piece to go into track about 12 inches. It is TIGHT all the way. The track is not bent or distorted. Slicked up new piece with dish soap but to no avail. I had resolved at the first of the week to quit swearing and was doing a little better every day until this morning.....ugh. The old piece though cracked and broken will slide right in and out. Thanks to all replies.

[CanoeStream]

I used something similar on my Argosy and got the advice to sand the backside of it a bit until it slides in better.

[Melody Ranch]

I use WD 40....even though it is not a lubricant......it seems to act like one. Try it after you burnish the sides and back side of the insert with a file, sand paper or emery paper.

[kennethowens]

I have also used ArmorAll (spelling) as a lube..

Sometimes a "soft hit" does more than a "push".

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by bimpy

Replacing the beige (old yellow) 1" nose insert on overhead roof locker 76 Caravanner. Need advice from anyone who has done this. I can only get the new piece to go into track about 12 inches. It is TIGHT all the way. The track is not bent or distorted. Slicked up new piece with dish soap but to no avail. I had resolved at the first of the week to quit swearing and was doing a little better every day until this morning.....ugh. The old piece though cracked and broken will slide right in and out. Thanks to all replies.

Easy fix.

Turn the insert upside down.

You will see on each edge, a small square.

Sanding that square down to some degree, will allow the insert to easily slide thru the metal molding. You still may need a little lube, and we suggest using "silicone spray".

Unfortunately, the manufacturer of that insert, for whatever reason, slightly increased the size of those square edges, shortly after Airstream quit using it.

We shave that square on the insert down before shipping, for our customers, so that it's ready to go for them.

Andy