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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