Zip dee z lock replacement

[Endless Summer]

I am going to replace the entire z lock assembly as it has not been very cooperative in recent months, and it is currently very stuck in the up position. It looks to be a pretty straightforward repair...disconnect the arm head, drill out the four rivets holding the lock to the tube, remove old lock, and install new lock. No big deal.

Except...my awning is stuck in the up position and therefore the rivets are covered by rounds of awning material. Has anyone done this repair with the awning up, or there some way I can disengage the lock? So far tugging at it along with abusive language has failed to yield any results.

Thanks!

[thomas_sorrentino]

Steve,
I don't know if this will help. Can you roll the awning in and or out a little by hand while trying to disengage the lock?

[folivier]

My slidetopper zipdees were getting very balky so I drilled a small hole in the end and sprayed Corrosion X to lube up the spring. Then capped the hole with caulk.
Works very smoothly now.

[Endless Summer]

Thanks, Ill try the hole drilling and lube trick today.

[Endless Summer]

Well, with some effort, it came unstuck. Ordered a new zip lock today from an extremely helpful parts guy at Zip Dee. Looks like a pretty easy job.

[Randy Dupree]

don't get over confident.
I broke 2 fingers a few years ago doing the same thing.
And i had done several before that day.
Just sayin.

[Endless Summer]

Originally Posted by Randy Dupree

don't get over confident.
I broke 2 fingers a few years ago doing the same thing.
And i had done several before that day.
Just sayin.

Ok thanks. It's not totally fixed if it doesn't draw blood....

[al perna]

Yes I know this is a old thread but it does describe my issue and had no end , so here I go Randy I will bet it was from the back , left wound side ? No pun intended . I need to do this exact repair and have no clew how to , It is in the stored position , so a ladder will be needed for sure , now what , hahah And this is a 4 month old new Zip-Dee awning ! Seems they too are now outsourcing cause this awning is nothing like my 19 year old one that blew off in Oklahoma this spring lol. I would like to do this repair prior to WOG but if unable to receive the parts in time I guess I could draw a crowed at WOG, and maybe a little help while Erika plays for us

[al perna]

WOW !! I just notices it was almost 6 years to the day , That's crazy . My bad off 1 month lol

[ABBird]

Al,
I currently have problems with my patio awning as well,
maybe we can have a “seminar”?