Entry Door Latch Failed

[Steve Quandt]

Tonight my entry door latch failed. It will not latch. Both the inside and outside handles feel as though something has become disconnected. Has anyone had this happen? If so what will I find when I take it apart tomorrow?

Thanks

[Stephen]

the factory rods and levers before modification by bluebird are held on by plastic clips which break and then the door latch will not work
You can buy metal clips to hold the lock together
they cost a bit more but the longevity precludes plastic
if the door panels on your coach are mounted with the plastic christmas tree clips don't try to recycle them they are cheap at the body supply shops

[Steve Quandt]

Stephen

Thanks for the advice, are these parts that are available in a hardware store or something that you stock? I have lots of the christmas tree clips.

Thanks

[moonbeam express]

Steve,

Just went through this myself and documented the fix on another RV forum I'm active with. Assuming your door is like mine, here is a link that might help. Be sure to replace all of the clips or you will need to repeat this in the future.

This has been accurately qualified as a "if you haven't done this fix, you will in the near future"!
http://barthmobile.com/eve/forums/a/...1/m/5813960757

[moonbeam express]

To elaborate a little more on getting you door open and the door panel removed. The first part assumes the door is now stuck shut.

I first removed the shade then the window frame. The shade was tough, but I inserted a long flat screwdriver on the inside retainer and it released after some experimenting. Do this on each side. Once these are removed, you need to gently pull the door panel open on the latch side and try to jimmy the mechanism with a coat hanger or the like until it releases. Look at my pictures in the link for some guidance.

Aside from those tips, the door panel itself is attached with around 20 of those plastic pop-in "gilled" retainers (you can see these on the backside of the panel in the first photo on the link). They are very easy to damage as is the door panel itself if you don't take your time and GENTLY released these. I took a long 1"X2" piece of pine and whittled it into a long ramp like stake. One end pointy gradually ramping up to the full 2" of the stick. I was then able to release the outermost retainers working my way into the interior ones with the long stick which applied a little more pressure as I drove it in as close to each pin as I could. This worked well and didn't bend the plastic retainer posts as they will need to line up very well when reinstalling the door panel.

[Steve Quandt]

Corey

Fortunately the door is open becasue neither inside or handle work. It is now held shut with a bungie cord. I will take it apart Saturday when the temps here in TX geta little warmer. What parts stores did you go to?

Thanks

[moonbeam express]

Originally Posted by Steve Quandt

Corey

Fortunately the door is open becasue neither inside or handle work. It is now held shut with a bungie cord. I will take it apart Saturday when the temps here in TX geta little warmer. What parts stores did you go to?

Thanks

I ended up going to Parts Plus, Advanced Auto Parts and NAPA. I bought every package they had. You can't get the actual part replacement, I bought the assortment pack that has maybe 6 different styles, 2 of each. I think the black ones and the white ones worked for me.

Originally Posted by moonbeam express

Aside from those tips, the door panel itself is attached with around 20 of those plastic pop-in "gilled" retainers (you can see these on the backside of the panel in the first photo on the link). They are very easy to damage as is the door panel itself if you don't take your time and GENTLY released these.

Ahh, the infamous "Christmas Tree" fasteners. They're available at McMaster-Carr and I think Fastenal also carries them. If you destroy the old ones, don't despair. New ones can be installed by cutting a slit in the panel and a corresponding slit in the flange of the fastener. The new one can then be "threaded" into the door panel.

Cutting a slit in the door panel is a job for my versatile Fein Multimaster.

http://www.fein.de/fein-multimaster/...ucts/news.html