Door retainer help

[AndrewL]

I set out to do what I thought would be a simple job - replacing both parts of the door retainer on our Auto Trail Tracker. The old one would not hold the door open in even the lightest breeze.

The socket part was easy - unscrew, clean, seal and fit new part.

When it came to the ball part (on the hab door) I couldn't, at first, get any movement on the screws. I broke the old one off (it was pretty fragile!) but could hardly get the screws to move - and then they just turn without coming further out.

I'd really appreciate advice on how to proceed - do I force them out, and if so how do I then get them to grip when I replace the old part with the new one?

For the moment I've sealed the holes to prevent damp.

Thanks!

 

[Minxy]

I'd really appreciate advice on how to proceed - do I force them out, and if so how do I then get them to grip when I replace the old part with the new one?

Squirt some releasing oil onto them (remove sealant first!) and cover with tape etc to keep damp out if it's gonna be an issue but unless you are expecting a downpour I wouldn't worry about it. Give them a good few hours, ideally a day, to let the oil do it's stuff and then try unscrewing them again whilst pushing the blade of a thin flat screwdriver behind the screw head and applying a little pressure on the rear of the head as this will normally encourage a screw to unscrew when it just turns round otherwise. Failing that it's gonna be a case of getting some pliers on and carefully twisting or pulling them out, being careful not to cause damage to the door although looking at it there appears to be some damage already - it might be an idea to put some gaffer tape all round the screws first so that it will help support the door panel skin whilst you do it..

When you come to fit the new bracket just use slightly larger screws.

 

[Spriddler]

I'd use Mole grips clamped tightly onto the screw heads, rotating them and pulling outwards at the same time.

 

[steve 6644]

I would also get a thin cut metal blade on a small grinder and carefully make those slots deeper.

 

[Mark740]

You can also file/grind (dremel) some flats onto the side of the screws...then as has been said molegrips or small spanner (not a huge adjustable).

As also said..nice bit of gaffer behind them to stop scratches etc.

Good luck

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[AndrewL]

Thanks for all the advice. Getting hold of some PlusGas (better than WD40 in these situations, I read!)

May also invest in a Dremel - been toying with getting one for ages!

Thanks!

 

[Bognor Saint]

Thats

I'd use Mole grips clamped tightly onto the screw heads, rotating them and pulling outwards at the same time.

That's what I would do. Worked in the past

 

[68c]

Are the screws in the door or the van sidewall? If in the door they may have loose nuts on the inside. You may have to remove the door trim to find out.

 

[AndrewL]

looking at it there appears to be some damage already - it might be an idea to put some gaffer tape all round the screws first so that it will help support the door panel skin whilst you do it..

You're right about the existing damage - not caused by me! I think whoever replaced the thing last time did a pretty poor job!

 

[AndrewL]

Are the screws in the door or the van sidewall? If in the door they may have loose nuts on the inside. You may have to remove the door trim to find out.

The screws are in the door. I did wonder about trying to get to the back of them, but didn't fancy attacking the trim!

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[Lenny HB]

Those cracks in the Gel coat need sorting before they start causing problems.
Once you get the screws out & the gel coat repaired you could fix the new retainer with a PU adhesive.