Windows locked with exterior screws?

[Jenniflow]

Hey folks, I'm just easing my way into some of these repairs on my 1986 345 Moho (or as I fondly call her, the motyho) and we're cleaning out the weep holes.

I've got screws on the outside of one of each set of windows and they look like an afterthought. Does everyone have these? And if so are they for security or what?

I want to remove them to clean out the weep holes under each of these windows but I'm afraid I won't be able to reuse the threads to resecure them. Or maybe I shouldn't bother. What do you folks do?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

[Aage]

Afterthought is a good describer, seeing as how they appear to be steel, and the folks at Jackson Center, OH know that steel and aluminum do not mix...

[Jenniflow]

Yes, that was my thinking, Aage; they look terrible and they're keeping me from cleaning thoroughly. Do you think I should just remove them? And if so, what kind of screws would I replace these with? Would they have to be aluminum rivets? Or is there something I should fill the holes with?

[c_lewis77]

I had some odd screws/fasteners as well, I removed them and filled the holes with vulkem. barely noticeable. The other thought would be to install a dummy rivet/screw to fill the hole (I would still seal it with vulkem first)

[Jenniflow]

Hmmm. Good idea. So the fixed window is really just to discourage a large person from squeezing in the window when the window is unlocked.

[ROBERT CROSS]

After 18 Seasons with out 63 Safari I learned just how incompatible base metal fasteners are with aluminum.(took 2hrs to change two clearance light bulbs)

One of the first things I did on the Classic....replace them all with stainless....JC still hasn't learned.

Bob

[idroba]

It has been 6 years since I had my 310 motorhome, but when I looked at the photos you have, the screws and plates looked very familiar. I do think they were original. And no, the mothership does not always do things right.

[Aage]

Originally Posted by Jenniflow

Yes, that was my thinking, Aage; they look terrible and they're keeping me from cleaning thoroughly. Do you think I should just remove them? And if so, what kind of screws would I replace these with? Would they have to be aluminum rivets? Or is there something I should fill the holes with?

Not being as familiar with your (moho) windows as with my own (TT) ones, all I can say is is, if they are actually providing an important function, holding something together, then it would seem clear to me that they need to be replaced.

Unless someone else disagrees, my thoughts are that they should be replaced with SS (stainless steel) screws. While not a perfect match to aluminum, they are far better than plain old steel screws.

If on the other hand, they are merely holding the window shut, then I would agree that removing them and filling the holes carefully with TremPro 635 (a modern version of the legendary Vulkem polyurethane sealant) is the way to go.

[Keyair]

Yes, Jenniflow, our MH has them too...
I will take a closer look next time I am there.

[Jenniflow]

Thanks you guys. It's hard to understand why JC would go to all the trouble of making something beautiful like this and then use base metal screws. But I didn't have to do the accounting so ...