Roller wheels for slide-out table

[grandparippe]

I need new wheels for my 1979 24' Excella motor home sliding table assembly. I am not sure if they are specific to the AS motor homes, or if AS used them in the trailers too. When I removed it for carpet tear-out, I found loose ball bearings and little wheel bits in the tracks. Who would guess they would only last 30 years!

I am enjoying these challenges: Installing vinyl flooring, sealing a few leaks, replacing the missing stove, counter, and sink, rebuilding carburator and exhaust, replacing the huge sway bar bushings, alternator and battery isolator, and new brake master cylinder.

Fun stuff so far, but I want to take it skiing! New to AS and love them for their classic style and quality!

Thanks for any ideas!

Grandpa Ripper

[Elskedeen1]

Hi,
We're you able to solve your problem with the roller wheels? We bought a 1979 28ft Excella motorhome and found the roller wheels need replacing. I don't know where to look to find replacements. I have tried several RV salvage companies but no luck in locating anything. Any suggestions?
Lynn

[robwok]

Post a pic if you can. My first thought is to look at the screen door hardware section at your local big box store. There are several wheels and things that might work. I actually was able to replace wheel rollers on a light mover from my greenhouse by parts there, and they were an exact match. You might be able to take some apart and replace parts. the wheels inside sliding track - like for drawers in your kitchen may work - just don't know without a pic.
Rob.

[Elskedeen1]

Hi Rob,
My husband and I have gone to several stores trying to find wheels that will work. The screen door wheels will not support the weight of the table. I have attached a photo and will send another as it won't allow me to attach both at the same time. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Lynn

[Elskedeen1]

Here are the photos of the wheels. I guess they didn't upload the first time

[Foiled Again]

That looks like 1/2 of a full drawer extension slider.

This might be more commonly seen in industrial use or office furniture like file cabinets.

Rockler might have it.


Paula

[Elskedeen1]

Hi Paula,
I don't think it's what's used in a filing cabinet or drawers, we've checked Rockler's website.
Thanks,
Lynn

[TG Twinkie]

They look like they are made of plastic.
I would look for metal shoulder bolt bearings. They will probably be a single roller bearing. But you could drill another hole and mount one on each side.
A bearing supply house or McMaster Carr would carry such an item.
You could even use a shoulder bolt and mount a bearing with the correct inside and outside diameter. Not sure what the end clearance would have to be. A standard roller bearing or even ball bearing would be much stronger and last forever.


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[robwok]

couple options: Rubber Caster Wheels - Princeton, Indiana
https://www.google.com/search?q=rubb...2F%3B320%3B240

rob

[grandparippe]

Yes, I did figure a better way to solve the overly complex and unobtainable parts! I tried finding wheels first, then spoke to a genius fabricator that I know. He suggested skipping the wheels and machining a piece of Delrin plastic in each wheel mount area. You can cut the stuff with a table saw and router just like wood and it has a slick teflon sort of a feel to it, so it slides easily in the metal track! I bought an odd small chunk from a local plastics supply house.

I tried to machine it a bit too tight to prevent rattling, but that was not necessary. I used a little silicone spray in the track and it is wonderful!

I have some photos in my other computer if you want to see what I did.

[grandparippe]

I cut one long one to size on my table saw, then sliced it in half to have two. I used my router to recess the bolts.
Slick!

[Elskedeen1]

Hi,
I would love to see your other photos! Also my husband wants to know how you removed the old roller wheels? He has been trying to figure out how they come apart. I look forward to seeing your pictures.
Lynn

[grandparippe]

Originally Posted by Elskedeen1

Hi,
I would love to see your other photos! Also my husband wants to know how you removed the old roller wheels? He has been trying to figure out how they come apart. I look forward to seeing your pictures.
Lynn

The photos are there now. If I remember right, I drilled the old rivited roller assembly out. They were overly complex and the rubber wheels were failure bound from age. Too many parts to break or fail, plus rubber is prone to deterioration. Mine are 35 years old!

Once drilled out, I bolted the new sliders onto the wheel holding frames. I had notched the Delrin plastic to slide into the roller track. I beveled the edges with my table saw to match the curviture of the tracks. It took a few tries, but I wanted to start off too tight and gradually sliver off enough to make them slide easily without binding.
I clamped them into my work bench and carefully used my router to carve off enough of the body to keep the bolt heads and nylock nuts from hitting the tracks from the inside.

Once bolted up and lightly lubricated, they work great and will probably never need to be replaced!