Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:40:45 -0700
Reply-To: Zoltan <thewestyman@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Zoltan <thewestyman@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Pop-top lifting mechanism broken
In-Reply-To: <5ebe10a0904220556t17eea79ag2dea6517c5bd19b6@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="UTF-8"; reply-type=original
You can't lube it as it is. The long tube has to be pulled out to do that.
In the process the mechanism will be unhinged and it would take some
difficulty to reattach. But can be done.
Zoltan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris S" <szpejankowski@gmail.com>
To: "Zoltan" <thewestyman@gmail.com>; <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 5:56 AM
Subject: Re: Pop-top lifting mechanism broken
> Is this something that can be at least postponed by lubing the bushes?
> It would be a little tricky to not get the canvas dirty.
>
> On 4/22/09, Zoltan <thewestyman@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi all,
>> I am noticing more and more the failure of the pop-top lifing mechanism.
>> It
>> appears when one side jumps out of place and the whole thing stops
>> working
>> as it should. And if you force it, you may break the fibre glass top on
>> that side.
>> What happens is; the mechanism is actually destructing itself. I think,
>> it
>> is a bad design for lasting forever. It is fixable but not in an easy
>> way.
>> I think, one has to cut a piece that fits into the tube, to replace the
>> part
>> that was cut off, welded on and after the opposite piece is slightly
>> enlarged, slide over a bushing that would act as a roller with some
>> grease
>> under it.
>> Fortunately I have a friend who has a lathe where I can make these items.
>> The othe side that was not cut off yet, has a deep groove in it, ready to
>> be
>> cut anytime. That needs to welded up.
>> One has to take off the whole thing, except the bottom hinge that is
>> bolted
>> to the body. Rather undo the spring washer that secures the pin into
>> position. The spring loaded legs must be tightened together to avoid
>> jumping open, to have an easier disassembly.
>> Doing it with a roller as I described, would lengthen the life much
>> longer,
>> probably forever in Vanagon years.
>>
>> This will be necessary to all the campers in time coming, as it is a self
>> destructing action. Those that are not broken yet, might be fixed
>> without
>> much welding up of the groove and have that bushing slid on them after
>> the
>> opposite item is enlarged enough to accomodate it.
>> Zoltan
>>
>
> --
> Sent from my mobile device
>
> Chris S.
> Disclaimer: "Death and serious injury may occur"
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