How does this outside panel go on?

[RichHog]

It’s been a few months since I had to pry this outside panel that cover s the refrigerator and I cant get it to go back in place. I take it the latch goes to the bottom and I think the lip goes under the top but it doesn’t want to go in place. Could be bent. Any thoughts from a 72 Safari owner or similar?

[azflycaster]

It can be a pain, I know...

the door must be positioned horizontal or maybe with the lock end higher then the hinge side. Then the edge on the hinge is inserted into the grove on the trailer half of the hinge. Make sure that the door is aligned perfectly with the opening or the edge may not go in. My method (previous trailer) was to grasp the door with both hands (one on each side) and use my head under the door to help support it. Make sure the edge is fully inserted into the grove or the door will not close and may pop out when you lower it.

It is fun to do this on a rainy morning when the fridge will not light with the sparker and you go outside to use a lighter and the door falls to the ground.

Good luck!

[DremStremer]

The curved hinge riveted to the top of the door panel hooks into a slot on the underside of the drip moulding at the top of the opening. You need to tilt the door upwards enough to hook the hinge into the slot. Make sure the hinge is centered between the two pop rivets on either side of the slot. My hinge is bent more than yours but I can still get it to slide into the slot with a little jiggling. The trouble is, if you open the door to far the hinge will fall out of the slot again.

[trombone guy]

Looks like the right sid of the hinge on the door is a little damaged. Try to carefully clean that side up to match the rest of the hinge half. Could be a tedious job with a common screwdriver. Sometimes it helps to have a third hand as you are trying to match the two channels together. Because of all the curves on the AS, sometimes you need to apply pressure in the middle of the door near the groove to get them to line up. All the windows and smaller outside panels come off and go on the same way. Good luck!

[TG Twinkie]

Originally Posted by RichHog

Attachment 331730

It’s been a few months since I had to pry this outside panel that cover s the refrigerator and I cant get it to go back in place. I take it the latch goes to the bottom and I think the lip goes under the top but it doesn’t want to go in place. Could be bent. Any thoughts from a 72 Safari owner or similar?

Judging from the pic it looks like the hinge part on the door may be a really tight fit between the 2 pop rivets on the trailer part. Hold the door up and check. You might want to trim a little off each end of the door hinge.
The door must be close to verticle in order to mate with the trailer side.

[RichHog]

Thanks, will exercise force and care on reassembly.

[RichHog]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

It can be a pain, I know...



the door must be positioned horizontal or maybe with the lock end higher then the hinge side. Then the edge on the hinge is inserted into the grove on the trailer half of the hinge. Make sure that the door is aligned perfectly with the opening or the edge may not go in. My method (previous trailer) was to grasp the door with both hands (one on each side) and use my head under the door to help support it. Make sure the edge is fully inserted into the grove or the door will not close and may pop out when you lower it.



It is fun to do this on a rainy morning when the fridge will not light with the sparker and you go outside to use a lighter and the door falls to the ground.



Good luck!

That’s really using your head! Might give that a try.

[RichHog]

Originally Posted by DremStremer

The curved hinge riveted to the top of the door panel hooks into a slot on the underside of the drip moulding at the top of the opening. You need to tilt the door upwards enough to hook the hinge into the slot. Make sure the hinge is centered between the two pop rivets on either side of the slot. My hinge is bent more than yours but I can still get it to slide into the slot with a little jiggling. The trouble is, if you open the door to far the hinge will fall out of the slot again.

OK I will move forward on aligning to the slot. Thanks!

[tbashin]

My hinge is on the bottom.

[RichHog]

Still working on this art. I think I’m buying a safety chain to attach it so that it doesn’t fall off while on the road. Can’t or don’t even want to ever have to find a replacement for this part number..