Help Please! I'm in a pickle.

[Eaglemate]

Morning ya'll. Parked here in Huntsville Alabama for the kids to go to robotics camp, and the door handle on my '74 Argosy broke this morning and would not open from the inside (picture two kids and a mom with hands and noses planted on the glass wrap around window pleading for help hahaha!). A neighbor opened the door for us to spring the kids for camp, but I need to fix this.

It appears to be a connecting rod inside the door, and I don't know where to even start aside from taking a box cutter and cutting around handle, which I can do (but don't want to).

If I get inside, will I be able to get parts at Lowes to repair it or is this a "only on planet Airstream" part?

Thanks ya'll.

[damonbeals]

I think it's going to be a Airstream only fix.. Out of Doors Mart has nice pics and most of the parts you need.

1970 to77 Airstream Lock : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!

Damon
#4827

[Eaglemate]

Doggonit. OK. Thanks for the referral.

[Eaglemate]

Well, new at this, but to get to the mechanism should I cut into the unit with a box cutter or remove the rivet and screws on the entire door?

[arktos55343]

Try to get at it by removing rivets only....do no damage that you will regret later. You can always re-assemble the door/panel.

[GeocamperAS]

You can take the whole assembly out. Remove the inside handle first. Then there are a couple screws on the inside of the door and one on the edge of the door holding the whole assembly. It is then removed from the outside. Some wiggling is required.
You then can look at the assembly to see what mat have loosened or broke.
If my memory serves me right, I can only think of 2 possabilities. Your inside handle is screwed onto a shaft. Either the screw came loose or the shaft has broken.
You will not find the shaft at any hardware store. If it is available, you will find it at 'vintage trailer supply' or 'inland rv'.
Hope this helps.

[montanablue]

Here is an exploded view posted on Out the door marts sit. Hope it helps. Call them.

[Eaglemate]

OK, great idea. Screws are out and half the unit, but that sucker is stuck in there. I'll keep working it. Thanks!

[Eaglemate]

Excellent diagram and thanks for posting it. Helps me visualize what I am looking for and I appreciate it more than you know.

[Eaglemate]

OK, this unit is stuck like a strawberry up the nose of a kindergartner. Shall I pull hard?

The latch is depressed and recessed as far as I can get it and it's almost out, but something seems to be holding it in place.

[montanablue]

Make sure you remove the screws at the edge of door where the latch comes out


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[Eaglemate]

Montanablue, I did. There was just one, correct?

[montanablue]

Someone might have use some rv putty around edge of outside lock. Take a putty knife and go around edge to try release it



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[TG Twinkie]

Chances are good that you only have a broken roll pin in the on the inside handle shaft. Notice how the cam on the shaft contacts a roll pin to pull back the bolt. Available at most auto parts or hardware stores. A punch and hammer will be required to remove the broken pin. The punch must be no larger than the roll pin.
You may have to remove some rivets from the inside skin and pull the skin (gently) away from the door in order for the inside handle shaft to have enough clearance for removal of the assembly from the outside.
Slamming the door is one of the reasons these pins shear off.

[Eaglemate]

Mblue, I got through all the putty, and thanks. Ugh! TG, OK, pretty basic stuff. Gotta track down a rivet remover. And yes, two kids who wham! about three hundred times a day. hahaha!

[Eaglemate]

Putty is gone now, thanks, and Twinkie, thanks for the help. I understand what you are saying, and I do not have a rivet remover with me.

[Jaxon]

Originally Posted by arktos55343

Try to get at it by removing rivets only....do no damage that you will regret later. You can always re-assemble the door/panel.

Good advice on any repairs!

[loriinwa]

I can do more than imagine, I can commiserate! The same exact thing happened to us on a camping trip. We were in our 1976 Argosy and we had the same problem. My hubby actually cut the screen out of the back bathroom window and climbed out and let us out. You have already been given great advice. Hubby had to remove the whole latch assembly and replace the broken part, but everything got put back together and there is no fear of being trapped anymore! Not a fun experience for sure!!

[TG Twinkie]

All you need is a drill motor and the proper sized drill bit to remove the pop rivets. You will need new pop rivets and a rivet gun to replace the drilled out rivets.