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Old 01-10-2023, 02:42 PM   #21
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Hey guys, spitballers and all. They are not Zeus, not Duzs, not Druz. They are DZUS fasteners. Work well in correct applications, both aero and other.

The most common failure of the fastener occurs when the person attempting to unfasten it keeps turning it counterclockwise, think it is a ordinary screw. Encounters a little resistance at the quarter turn point but keeps on powering thru in an attempt to unscrew the fastener. The continued counterclockwise rotation mangles the fastening mechanism and renders it useless

I venture not more that one percent of Airstream owners realize those are DZUS fasteners and the rest mangle them to the verge of uselessness. Ergo, window protectors fly off and damage things.
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Old 01-10-2023, 03:02 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Genebuilder View Post
Hey guys, spitballers and all. They are not Zeus, not Duzs, not Druz. They are DZUS fasteners. Work well in correct applications, both aero and other.

The most common failure of the fastener occurs when the person attempting to unfasten it keeps turning it counterclockwise, think it is a ordinary screw. Encounters a little resistance at the quarter turn point but keeps on powering thru in an attempt to unscrew the fastener. The continued counterclockwise rotation mangles the fastening mechanism and renders it useless

I venture not more that one percent of Airstream owners realize those are DZUS fasteners and the rest mangle them to the verge of uselessness. Ergo, window protectors fly off and damage things.


What I said 1/4 turn, been using them 4 years in Navy and 30 + years as a private IFR pilot. Thanks for the spelling and nomenclature correction, used them, never had to order them you are absolutely right in their correct usage.
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Old 01-10-2023, 04:06 PM   #23
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Thanks for the feedback.
I had the fortune (or misfortune) to learn to fly in a Bellanca Citabria with an ex Naval Air (Carrier Qualified)) pilot as my instructor. Was doing loops and rolls before i learned straight and level flight.
Nice to see you're still flying. GA is becoming a challenge to thrive in.
Sorry to interrupt the thread...missed the arresting cable.
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Old 01-10-2023, 05:47 PM   #24
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I too should know better on the correct spelling. My opinion still stands

Sent from my Lenovo YT3-X90F using Airstream Forums mobile app
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Old 01-10-2023, 06:35 PM   #25
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I am sorry this happened to you !

I started occasionally checking ours after hearing they come loose and ordered a few spare fasteners from out of doors mart. Ours was partially loose the first time I checked it 6 months in.

The thread where another m ember upgraded their fasteners is here https://www.airforums.com/forums/f46...de-207174.html
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Old 01-10-2023, 07:05 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Genebuilder View Post
Silvr_Bullet
Thanks for the feedback.
I had the fortune (or misfortune) to learn to fly in a Bellanca Citabria with an ex Naval Air (Carrier Qualified)) pilot as my instructor. Was doing loops and rolls before i learned straight and level flight.
Nice to see you're still flying. GA is becoming a challenge to thrive in.
Sorry to interrupt the thread...missed the arresting cable.
He was comin’ onto final
doin’ ninety miles an hour
When the LSO was heard to scream!
They found him in the water
with his hand upon the throttle
and the mixture was in automatic Lean!

The Pratt & Whitney man said
it couldn’t be the engine
Because those things were
known to never stop!

So what could be fairer
than to call it pilot error
‘cause you know it
could never be the prop?

(also apology to the topic)
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Old 01-10-2023, 08:03 PM   #27
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I like it!
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Old 01-10-2023, 09:13 PM   #28
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I had the same damage less the window. A good PDR guy will make it disappear.

If your heading toward Palm Springs anytime soon, I can give you the name of the guy who fixed mine.
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Old 01-11-2023, 09:44 AM   #29
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Awful to read, hassle for sure. There’s a guy on IG who doing incredible dent pulling on AS’s, end caps, body panels, including pics of a crease made from this exact situation.
https://instagram.com/primetechpdr?igshid=NTdlMDg3MTY=
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Old 01-11-2023, 10:02 AM   #30
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Thanks for the names and replies. I am going to try to go through the Dallas dealer first. I will probably have to replace it myself and may need a good dent guy!
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Old 01-11-2023, 10:33 AM   #31
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Quite entertaining, this post... I have had these fasteners strip also...happens only once and you remember the 1/4 turn rule.

As for the window, I wouldn't turn into insurance; I had to replace one my son battled with one evening while staying in our AS, and broke it..(he didn't say what caused it to break, but there were some empty beer cans in the trash!)

I ordered replacement window from JC and had it drop shipped "overnight" to my cabin in Lincoln MT. Shipping cost as much as the window, but think it was around $200 for the glass and same for the shipping. I had to order thru a dealer as they would not take the order on the phone at JC. Good luck!
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Old 01-15-2023, 10:26 AM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Genebuilder View Post
Hey guys, spitballers and all. They are not Zeus, not Duzs, not Druz. They are DZUS fasteners. Work well in correct applications, both aero and other.
No wonder people misspell a silly name.
They work fine if the user has been schooled on their application.
Let's see a show of hands how many Airstream buyers had the tech demonstrate the correct usage during the walk through? I didn't think so.

I still think the person who replaced the DZUS fasteners with a machine screw facing out had the right idea.



Now that I've had my snark, I've used the DRUZ fasteners that have a screw with a claw, engaging a coil spring. They work fine as long as everyone treats them respectfully. I found in vendor gear, the spring would be buggered up and then the fastener was worthless.
But Airstream uses a different style, No? A screw with a flange engaging an oval opening???
Anyone have a diagram of what the receptacle looks like?
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Old 01-15-2023, 10:32 AM   #33
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Reading all this to learn. When I first tried to unlock/unfasten these on my AS I also did the 'more than 1/4 turn'. Ooops.

That being said. What alternatives are there to said DZUS fittings?
The before mentioned machine screw and nut?

No need to explain it all again just looking for other lock down options.


Thanks
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Old 01-15-2023, 01:43 PM   #34
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I had my lower rock guard dol that on a trip 3 years ago on my 25' Safari. Thankfully it was covered by my insurance.
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Old 01-15-2023, 02:11 PM   #35
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SAME thing happened to me

This fall between Las Vegas and Tahoe, two lane highway, semi coming in opposite direction, very big gust of wind hit when it past a couple times and the last, moments later noticed the screen swinging in the wind.
of course bent the screen, creased the side panel behind the awning strut, broke the lower small oval window.
I had just checked the screen at the last fuel stop an hour prior.
do you really believe this is a warranty issue?
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Old 01-16-2023, 08:09 AM   #36
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I am trying warranty first. They will tell me yes or no. If no then I will order the parts and replace. I hope the do approve it but I am not confident they will!
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Old 01-16-2023, 09:55 AM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kbmwrs View Post
Reading all this to learn. When I first tried to unlock/unfasten these on my AS I also did the 'more than 1/4 turn'. Ooops.

That being said. What alternatives are there to said DZUS fittings?
The before mentioned machine screw and nut?

No need to explain it all again just looking for other lock down options.


Thanks
Now, lets be clear: it's a DZUS "fastener"; not a DZUS "fitting"!

Here is an old post on another method: Circa 2012 AS Forum:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f45...ers-93588.html
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Old 01-16-2023, 05:55 PM   #38
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Originally Posted by gypsydad View Post
Now, lets be clear: it's a DZUS "fastener"; not a DZUS "fitting"!

Here is an old post on another method: Circa 2012 AS Forum:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f45...ers-93588.html

Great post, thanks for sharing! Seems like the easiest and best fix to avoid a mishap. I'm another who wasn't told how to properly remove the stone guards, hence, now an ineffective/useless securing method. Upgrade in fastener needed, AS.
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Old 01-16-2023, 10:28 PM   #39
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Do you have to turn the trailer upside down to replace the DRUZ fittings?
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Old 01-17-2023, 09:05 AM   #40
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Do you have to turn the trailer upside down to replace the DRUZ fittings?
No; that is only required when greasing the zert fittings... Those fittings can only be replaced with a good DRUZ locating tool, using a ladder.

Seriously though, the "window latch" DZUS fittings being used are tricky for sure, if your not careful. The comments by folks here who have had them over "tightened", or stripped when closing, and their curved "rock guard" window protective panel coming open while traveling due to wind or what ever is a scary/expensive$$ thought. I went to inspect mine yesterday. Opening the main big panel across the front, I was able to see they were latched properly, and that big plexiglass protective sunshield panel aluminum frame edges with the rubber do go over/cover the DZUS fasteners, helping keep them closed. A gust of wind in previous post, caught my attention, though for sure! I think the earlier post here showing those DZUS fasteners being replaced with a nut/bolt set up may be a good replacement...or perhaps the wire catch also shown earlier vs the DZUS receptacle. Note pics below: first is the DZUS; second (if you look close) is how the flat panel front rockguard/plexi glass panel covers the DZUS fasteners.

Terrible to have all these "potential" problem issues come up and get you to thinking!
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