Window guard fastener

[pagoff]

I have a 2006 19ft SE. The two side window guards (up front) are fastened by 1/4 turn Southco fasteners. On one side one of the fasteners does not tighten. The base of this fastener appears to be riveted so cannot be easily replaced.

I'm no expert but these fasteners appear flimsy for the job of holding the window guard in place. Anyone else with this problem? Any easy fixes? My dealer is 3 hours away so getting it fixed will be a full day ordeal.

Paul

[wrepete]

Paul,
I had to replace one of mine when it was new because the hole in the metal backing the rubber surface of the fastener was enlarged and wouldn't hold. You can drill out the old rivets and replace it with a new fastener (everyone who owns an Airstream has to get a riveter) riveted back in its place. It is also wise to use a little sealant (Parbond) in and around the rivet when you put it one back in place to make it waterproof.

Perhaps your dealer will mail you a new fastener, and by doing it yourself save a long trip. Good luck!

[pagoff]

It sounds like the same problem. Thanks for the encouragement. It would be worth my while to do this.

Is there a particular riveter that you recommend? If I understand you, you simply drill out the center part of the rivot and it will come loose?

Thanks
Paul

[53flyingcloud]

You can drill it out using a drill bit of a size just slightly bigger than the rivet..Home depot has tons of rivets and the right tool to make the repair as well..Get the one with the swivel head.. It's worth it weigh in Aluminum...lol
ciao
53FC

[wrepete]

Paul, you can buy a riveter at Sears, Lowe's, Home Depot, or at any good hardware store. Those on mine were aluminum pop rivets, 1/8" diameter, and probably 1'/2" long. Drill them out with a 1/8th" drill so that you don't enlarge the hole, because if the hole is larger than the rivet, any force applied to the new one will cause it to 'work' in the hole and cause leaking. If the hole is already enlarged after drilling the old rivet out, then you can up to the next size and use the right drill for that size (the package usually tells what size drill to use). Also, I always drill and replace each rivet at a time, so the resulting placement will be identical with the original.

Actually, anytime I replace a rivet I try to use the olympic rivets (from Vintage Trailer Supply, where I also buy Parbond)instead of pop rivets, because they look more like the buck rivets Airstream uses in manufacturing, when they are finished off. They look better and I believe they are less likely to leak. I use a size #21 drill for a really good fit. You can use the same riveter above.

[CanoeStream]

Paul -- I find that I have to use a grinder in my Dremel to flatten the rivet so I don't slide off when I start to drill it out. This could be minimized if you're using a new sharp drill and are careful.

[pagoff]

I found, in a posting by R&S Zinser (2/19/06), these part numbers in case someone else has this problem. I will to order these and install per the good instructions provided by all of you. Thanks for the help. It's a shame that the latch is so fragile in the first place.

Paul

[pagoff]

For the record the part labeled by Airstream as a part number rubber receptacle", (sounds vaguely obscene, or is it me) is manufactured by Southco and is known as a "vibration mount." Southco's part number is 82-35-306-10. If you google Southco and this number you will find several suppliers who list the price in the $5-6 range, as opposed to my Airstream dealer's $20.

Paul

[cosmotini]

Originally Posted by pagoff

For the record the part labeled by Airstream as a part number rubber receptacle", (sounds vaguely obscene, or is it me) is manufactured by Southco and is known as a "vibration mount." Southco's part number is 82-35-306-10. If you google Southco and this number you will find several suppliers who list the price in the $5-6 range, as opposed to my Airstream dealer's $20.

Paul

Paul,

Since you have a new trailer still under warranty, I would either contact the factory directly or have the dealer contact them to send you the parts for free. If you're willing to do the work they should be willing to provide the parts.

My experience with the factory has been excellent. They sent me parts for free after I sent them pic's of the 'problems'. And that was even after the dealer did their 'fix'.

Dennis