Latch rod replacement

dunkonu23 · 02-21-2013, 04:42 PM

Hi, I'm new here but I have a new to me 2003 Winnebago Adventurer 35U. Today, while loading new hoses, mats, etc. into the slide out storage compartment, I broke the end (little green tongue--for lack of a better word) of one of these:

132873-27-000 EA ROD - LATCH - 12.5" W/3/4" DOG LEG
132873-28-000 EA ROD - LATCH - 14.4" W/3/4" DOG LEG.

The break was at the actual latch on the sides of the door. The storage door still works. It should write that it was very cold here in Michigan--so much so, the locks on the storage doors on the shade side are frozen--today so it probably was not a good idea to do what I did. I admit my excitement is getting the better of me in prepping our motor home for the spring and summer.

My question is this: Has anyone broken one of these before and if so, how does one repair this? Please excuse my ignorance.

Thank you in advance,

Scott

smlranger · 02-21-2013, 05:25 PM

It is not uncommon for the plastic latch 'plunger' to break off, especially in cold weather as you have now learned. You will need to get a replacement latch mechanism either from the parts dept. of a local Winnebago dealer or easily ordered from Lichtsinn Motors which is a Winne dealer one mile from the factory in Iowa. I would get 2 or 3 as spares because you will likely have others break if you keep the coach for long. I always keep a couple of spares.

To replace:

> remove the handle from the door and release the rod that goes from the handle mechanism to the latch (I always tie a string to the rod before I remove it just in case it drops down into the door).
> drill out the two rivets that hold the latch in the edge of the door and remove the latch from the rod.
> attach new latch to rod and, using 3/16" aluminum rivets, reattach to the door edge.
> reconnect rod at handle end and install handle in door and you are done

.

Another suggestion is to never slam the Winne compartment doors. I always lower them and then press them closed with my knee or leg.

Welcome to the forum and enjoy that new-to-you coach. Spring is almost here.

corvettec3 · 02-21-2013, 05:32 PM

This what they look like...

Monaco Winnebago Baggage Door Latch | eBay

dunkonu23 · 02-21-2013, 05:58 PM

Thanks to both smlranger and corvettec3.

The problem was this: After I had closed the door I could only get one side to open so as I pulled the latch the door opened because the "plunger" broke. I did slam the door shut. I won't do that again. Thanks for the advice! I think the problem was that the inside mechanism broke first, failed shut, and then the plunger broke when I tried to open the door. I guess I need a warm day to find out for sure.

Is that eBay part a direct replacement?

Scott

corvettec3 · 02-21-2013, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunkonu23

Thanks to both smlranger and corvettec3.

The problem was this: After I had closed the door I could only get one side to open so as I pulled the latch the door opened because the "plunger" broke. I did slam the door shut. I won't do that again. Thanks for the advice! I think the problem was that the inside mechanism broke first, failed shut, and then the plunger broke when I tried to open the door. I guess I need a warm day to find out for sure.

Is that eBay part a direct replacement?

Scott

Scott, that is a direct replacement. I broke one of mine the same way you did

and that catch was almost identical to the original. Matter of fact i bought 4 so that I would have some spares.

dunkonu23 · 02-21-2013, 06:49 PM

Thank you, covettec3.

Scott

dunkonu23 · 03-03-2013, 12:34 PM

Another question...

It appears not all pop rivet tools are created equal--especially when using 3/16" pop rivets. I have gone through two tools from different manufacturers, both of which will not break the rivet at the mandrel or release the shaft, so you can imagine a person disassembling the tool to get the shaft out of the tool.

Which pop rivet tool do you folks recommend?

Scott

firedoc · 03-03-2013, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunkonu23

Another question...

It appears not all pop rivet tools are created equal--especially when using 3/16" pop rivets. I have gone through two tools from different manufacturers, both of which will not break the rivet at the mandrel or release the shaft, so you can imagine a person disassembling the tool to get the shaft out of the tool.

Which pop rivet tool do you folks recommend?

Scott

Not all latches are created equal either. I just (today) replaced my broken latch with a direct replacement manufactured here www.rbmachininginc.com/. The difference being that it is made from metal and not plastic. The plastic pen latch for me was 12.00 the metal much superior one was 16.00. Just sayin...

smlranger · 03-03-2013, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunkonu23

Another question...

It appears not all pop rivet tools are created equal--especially when using 3/16" pop rivets. I have gone through two tools from different manufacturers, both of which will not break the rivet at the mandrel or release the shaft, so you can imagine a person disassembling the tool to get the shaft out of the tool.

Which pop rivet tool do you folks recommend?

Scott

I have a Craftsman rivet tool that works fine.

dunkonu23 · 03-04-2013, 08:37 AM

Thanks, guys.

I have sent a contact request to the machining site--seems like a good idea to have an aluminum plunger.

Mind if I ask which craftsman tool?

Scott

bruceisla · 03-04-2013, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunkonu23

Thanks, guys.

I have sent a contact request to the machining site--seems like a good idea to have an aluminum plunger.

Mind if I ask which craftsman tool?

Scott

My heavy duty Arrow works ok but I know what you mean. With my old tool I had to physically rotate the tool to get a different bite on the rivet pin or it would chew up the pin and slip before breaking it ... real PITA !!

I now have this one:
Shop Arrow Professional Rivet Tool at Lowes.com

dunkonu23 · 03-04-2013, 09:42 PM

Thanks for sharing. I'll check it out tomorrow at Lowes.

Scott

dunkonu23 · 03-10-2013, 05:03 PM

Finally got a warm enough day to get out to replace the end latch. Very easily done--almost too easy. Thanks for the tips, folks. The new latch works like a champ!

Scott

Ramzfan · 03-10-2013, 10:38 PM

You need to use Aluminum rivets...they pop much easier.

dunkonu23 · 03-11-2013, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramzfan

You need to use Aluminum rivets...they pop much easier.

I was using and did use aluminum rivets. It wasn't me or the rivets, it was the tool. I now have a tool that works properly and benefited from it.

Scott

smlranger · 03-11-2013, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunkonu23

Finally got a warm enough day to get out to replace the end latch. Very easily done--almost too easy. Thanks for the tips, folks. The new latch works like a champ!

Scott

Ain't it great when things go as planned??

dunkonu23 · 03-24-2013, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smlranger

Ain't it great when things go as planned??

Sure is! Yesterday, I finally finished the LCD TV conversion! But... it's back to cold here. Last weekend we were in Alabama (mid 70's!) for an RC Helicopter event but the motorhome wasn't ready, and neither was I. I didn't want to face de-winterizing for four days then re-winterizing. Plus, I don't have the Tru-Center installed, yet. We still need to pick up a couple of things, but in general, first trip will be local to shake things down... likely in April when campgrounds open up here.

Scott