1972 Tradewind Wing Window

[tesstoaster]

I have read that Airstream changed how they built and mounted the wing windows sometime in the 70's. Does anyone know if the wing window from a 1972 can be serviced from the inside without removing all the exterior rivets?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by tesstoaster

I have read that Airstream changed how they built and mounted the wing windows sometime in the 70's. Does anyone know if the wing window from a 1972 can be serviced from the inside without removing all the exterior rivets?

You must remove the window frame, if you want to take it apart.

Then, after it's removed and you attempt to take it apart, make sure your preacher dues are up to date, because you will need far more than just "luck".

Andy

[Tom Nugler]

The repair manual states that the interior surround can be removed, the screws removed from the inner frame, and the outer window and frame can be gently pried out from the inner frame. Yea, Sure.

Scroll dow to Post#25 for a drawing from the repair manual.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f164...-105478-2.html

The riveted piece you see is the inner frame. I removed the complete window to seal a leak past the rivets. It took a week of carefull drilling, soaking cutting and prying to get past the broken screws, hardened sealers and gaskets. I'm documenting the process and will post a how-to when done.

Maybe your window in in better condition or you've got better luck than I do.
If you get it apart the manual recommends sealing the frame with Vulkem.

Good luck,
Tom

[Belegedhel]

One thing to be very conscious of is whether you have your original wing windows. Check the rivets on the outside--if they are Olympic rivets, then the entire window may have been replaced, in which case, the design may be different. Both of the wing windows on my '73 had been changed, and there is no way that those windows could have been serviced without removing all the exterior rivets and pulling the whole unit (as shown in the above link).

Question is, what service do you need to perform on your windows?

[tesstoaster]

Originally Posted by Belegedhel

One thing to be very conscious of is whether you have your original wing windows. Check the rivets on the outside--if they are Olympic rivets, then the entire window may have been replaced, in which case, the design may be different. Both of the wing windows on my '73 had been changed, and there is no way that those windows could have been serviced without removing all the exterior rivets and pulling the whole unit (as shown in the above link).

Question is, what service do you need to perform on your windows?

There is some fogging due to condensation. Evaporation/condensation cycles have led to white precipitation. I may leave it if the servicing is impossible.

[Tony S]

My 73 actually had water in it for awhile. I busted out the inside window. It cleaned up good but there is some stuff to take the calcium stains out of it. It comes in a grey bottle

Tony

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Tony S

My 73 actually had water in it for awhile. I busted out the inside window. It cleaned up good but there is some stuff to take the calcium stains out of it. It comes in a grey bottle

Tony

Breaking the interior glass of a dual pane wing window, is NEVER necessary.

Two holes can easily be drilled into the frame from the exterior, that will let the water drain out.

Then simply injecting some glass cleaner will eliminate the water stains between the glass.

Takes but a few minutes to do, AND saves the dual pane window.

Andy

[tesstoaster]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

You must remove the window frame, if you want to take it apart.

Then, after it's removed and you attempt to take it apart, make sure your preacher dues are up to date, because you will need far more than just "luck".

Andy

Has anyone tried heat to soften the adhesives. I would think heating in an oven to say 250 deg F might make the job of disassembly easier.

[tesstoaster]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Breaking the interior glass of a dual pane wing window, is NEVER necessary.

Two holes can easily be drilled into the frame from the exterior, that will let the water drain out.

Then simply injecting some glass cleaner will eliminate the water stains between the glass.

Takes but a few minutes to do, AND saves the dual pane window.

Andy

Andy, do you have any pictures of this procedure? Maybe injecting some vineger or other dilute acid would do a better job of dissolving the stains.

[Tony S]

If you use the no break method please post some before and after pictures. I know many people would be interested in seeing the results. I never heard of that possibility before. Always learning.

Tony

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by tesstoaster

Has anyone tried heat to soften the adhesives. I would think heating in an oven to say 250 deg F might make the job of disassembly easier.

You most likely will damgae the old gasket, which is not available, as well as shatter the glass.

Also, the heat won't do much for the corrosion caused by the steel plates that are in the frame.

I will try to post some photos, of how to do this, later.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

The water collects between the panes of glass, only because the gaskets have shrunk in time. This if for all the double pane windows.

There is no need to take a wing window out, or to smash the inner glass.

The following will help solve the problem.

1. Measure up from the bottom metal part of the wing window, 13/16 inches.

2. Make one mark about 3 inches inward from the straight edge, and another at 11 iches.

3. CAREFULLY drill a hole with a # 30 drill bit, no more than 1/8 inch deep at each of those two marks.

4. Reinsert the drill bit into the holes, at about a 60 degree upward angle, SLOWLY.

5. The drill bit should very shortly hit a sealer that is between the two panes of glass. Maybe about 1/2 of an inch should do it.

6. THEN STOP!!!!!

7. Insert a coat hanger size metal wire into the hole and angling it at the same 60 degrees.

8. You should see the wire come out between the two panes of glass.

9. Repeat the process with the oither hole.

10. If water is between the panes, it will now drain out.

11. How a person may choose to inject a glass cleaner between the two panes, is up to them.

12. When finished, DO NOT seal the holes as they are now a permanent drain.

Could you break the glass? I suppose so, but after doing this for over 30 years, I am still batting 1000.

For those that perform this method of "fixing", how about reporting back to this Forums, to let others know how easy this fix really is.

Andy

[Tony S]

The cleaner I mentioned in the grey container is CLR. Calcium--Lime--Rust

Tony

[tesstoaster]

1. Measure up from the bottom metal part of the wing window, 13/16 inches.

I assume that this measurement is from the very bottom edge of the wing window frame. A picture would be great.

Have you tried to puncture the seal from underneath the frame? The frame is somewhat wavy due to the curvature giving you ample room to negotiate a long 1/8" drill bit on a slight diagonal.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by tesstoaster

I assume that this measurement is from the very bottom edge of the wing window frame. A picture would be great.

Have you tried to puncture the seal from underneath the frame? The frame is somewhat wavy due to the curvature giving you ample room to negotiate a long 1/8" drill bit on a slight diagonal.

Refer to # 2 and 3.

The only thing I have tried, I have posted. History says it works.

If you wish to try another way, please do.

Andy