Need Segment Protector Molding

[Al and Missy]

I posted this in a thread by a different name and got no response, so I'm trying again with a more descriptive title.

The surround molding on my curbside stainless steel segment protector got cracked by the PO in a hookup incident. Unnoticed by me the crack progressed until the molding separated at the crack resulting in the protector vibrating in the wind while towing. It has abraded the segment now, looks like it was sandblasted.

It seems silly to have to buy a complete protector when all I need is the 1/4" C-shaped aluminum molding surround. Does anyone know of a source? I have not been successful with Google searches.

As an alternative I suppose I can try to have it welded, but I don't know if that would hold, and I don't want to end up with the molding welded to the stainless.

Thanks,

Al

[Tuco]

Al, some pictures might help since I have no idea what is being discussed.

[Al and Missy]

Video wont play, but you can see the crack.

[Tuco]

By the looks of this you should be able to have it welded and textured to match. Ask a fabricator if they can reinforce the back of the guard to prevent further cracking. If he uses the same rivet points it should be seamless. Some flat stock aluminum should do the trick (say 1/8"), but let the fabricator decide. A good place to find someone to do this would be at a small airport.

GL

[Al and Missy]

Whoa - the video (taken with an iPad) won't play on my iPad but it does (one time) on my Win 8 laptop.

Thanks. Didn't think about the airport thing.

Al

[Al and Missy]

was I was looking for c-channel and it is j-channel. I talked to a friend about repairing it and he said he could weld the molding but we'd have to take the protector off the trailer. When I went to remove the protector, I discovered that when I noticed the damage I didn't look close enough. Several things contributed to the vibration that cracked the molding. The corner rivets at the hinge were loose. The PO's repair drilled out several of the rivets that fastened the hinge to the body and replaced them with screws; the top screw was loose. The 1/4 turn fastener at the bottom on the curbside was broken.

I replaced the corner rivets, clamped the molding with a pipe clamp and drilled and riveted across the crack. In retrospect I should have put in a backing plate, but I don't have rivets long enough so that's a problem for another day.

So now I'm looking for a replacement standoff base for the 1/4 turn fastener. I don't think it is a Dzus, but I'm still looking. If anyone knows what it is please let me know.

Al

[Al and Missy]

The fastener is made by Southco. I'll try to find some locally, and if no luck I'll call some dealers.

Al

[Al and Missy]

I have seen Aircraft Spruce listed as a source for aluminum on here. Turns out they have the Southco fasteners. Just a plain base is inexpensive. But to keep vibration down, AS uses one with a rubber vibration washer. I went ahead and ordered two (big spender) and will replace both since one failed. Here is what I ordered. Someone else was looking for some a month or so ago, maybe not for the same application.

SOUTHCO RECEPT 82-35-306-10 9.850

Al

[Tuco]

Wish I had gotten back online sooner I could have saved you some time. I have noticed that several parts on our Airstream's are from the aircraft industry. The 1/4 turn fasteners with rubber mounts were used as cowl hold downs on several models. Some of the rubber strips used on the interior are also from aircraft. Glad you found Aircraft Spruce and got what you needed. Show us some pictures of the final repair.

[Pahaska]

I also had a broken molding in about the same area. The local dealer gave me a throw-away damaged protector with a good top half molding. I replaced my broken molding with the salvaged part with a splice in an inconspicuous place on the rear of the protector, at the lower attachment.

I found that removing the old molding was very difficult because of the way everything had been riveted together when the protector was first built. I had to use a Dremel grinder in several spots to get things apart without doing more damage.

The final result looked pretty good, but with all the labor, I would just buy a replacement protector next time around.