Door side slide out repair done!

[kingskids]

Several parts of the front slide arm were bent (the piece that attaches to the bottom of the slide, as well as, the "head" that connects the horizontal arm to the vertical component). Both pieces were replaced and both promptly bent upon closing the slide the first time. The Lippert tech strengthened the head by welding two gussets to it (see photos) Note that the vertical leg of the gusset extends beyond the point where it previously bent. After these were welded on, they were first tightened to the vertical component and then secured to the horizontal member. This brought everything back to 90 degrees, or nearly so.

When we started this repair, the forward edge of our slide was about 1 1/2" from closing. After this fix the initial attempt brought it to within 1/2" to 3/4" of closing. It wasn't good enough for the tech. His next adjustment was to adjust the throw of the ram at the rear of the slide. He ran both of the adjustment nuts in (toward the frame) about 1/2" and tested it. This time the front of the slide sealed flush and the rear edge sucked in and was just slightly tighter than before we began the fix.

The slide has been opened and closed at least 12 times since our visit to Lippert and the slide still closes the same as when we left Lippert. BTW, the only reason we went to Lippert was that the welder and gussets were readily available. After watching this I'm confident it can be accomplished by any of us handymen once the gussets are welded in place.

Pics available if desired...

[anijet]

Curious what year your unit is and if you know what started the whole ordeal?

[kingskids]

2011 Elite Denver 43' - and NO idea what started the whole thing - no one else knew either! One of those mysteries - kinda like my LED lights getting dimmer or brighter on a whim... Weird huh? But I truly LOVE my rig and will enjoy it till we leave this planet or move into a nursing home - whichever occurs first :roll: :roll:

[Motor31]

It would be great if you could post pix on the web site.

RE the lights. I had the lights above the medicine cabinet do that. I traced it to a loose ground on the light fixture itself. The small rivet holding the ground wire clip was loose. I tightened it up and no more light changes.

[kingskids]

How about this for ya?

http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz84/mountaindreamlife/Personal%20pics/Door%20Side%20Slide%20Repair/

Hope this helps a few folks. It was frustrating and a real head scratcher for the tech at DRV who tried really hard to get it truly fixed, but had to finally give in and send us to Lippert. Bud got it done nicely and was great to work with - if you ever get over this way and read this Bud - THANKS!

[boobytrap]

Several parts of the front slide arm were bent (the piece that attaches to the bottom of the slide, as well as, the "head" that connects the horizontal arm to the vertical component). Both pieces were replaced and both promptly bent upon closing the slide the first time. The Lippert tech strengthened the head by welding two gussets to it (see photos) Note that the vertical leg of the gusset extends beyond the point where it previously bent. After these were welded on, they were first tightened to the vertical component and then secured to the horizontal member. This brought everything back to 90 degrees, or nearly so.

When we started this repair, the forward edge of our slide was about 1 1/2" from closing. After this fix the initial attempt brought it to within 1/2" to 3/4" of closing. It wasn't good enough for the tech. His next adjustment was to adjust the throw of the ram at the rear of the slide. He ran both of the adjustment nuts in (toward the frame) about 1/2" and tested it. This time the front of the slide sealed flush and the rear edge sucked in and was just slightly tighter than before we began the fix.

The slide has been opened and closed at least 12 times since our visit to Lippert and the slide still closes the same as when we left Lippert. BTW, the only reason we went to Lippert was that the welder and gussets were readily available. After watching this I'm confident it can be accomplished by any of us handymen once the gussets are welded in place.

Pics available if desired...

[kingskids]

boobytrap - you didn't make any comment or a question - was there something you wanted to say?