I have finally received my new slide out seal and will be attempting the installation in my shop within the next few weeks. Thanks to the kind input from many of you, I think I have the general procedure figured out. I do still have question about one item (I am sure more will come before I am done). I am going to be working on the large front slide (2002 u320 3620). In the center of the slide there is a channel in the bottom about three inches wide and 1 1/2 deep. On the body side there is what looks like a stop. It looks like a piece of plastic material in a metal bracket with what looks like a 5/16" bolt head which has had a piece of rubber glued to it. (Rubber piece is gone). Does anyone know what this does and how to access it? Thanks very much.
It's a "guide" that the slide bladder expands against. Keeps it from over-inflating/expanding in that area.
Our rear slideout was missing its "guide" and after 8 years that bladder finally failed at that point.
Emergency '03 slide bladder repair (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=10319.msg49042#msg49042)
Michelle
I guess I am lucky in that both of the plates to protect the bladder are still in place. It looks like there was a piece of foam or rubber covering the bolt seen in your picture. Perhaps I will try to remove that bolt and see if the piece comes out. With it in place, it does not look like the slide will be able to pushed in beyond the seal.
After much starting and stopping, I have finally successfully completed the installation of a new slide out seal on the living room slide in my own shop. Not something I would suggest everyone try, but it is possible if you are a long way from Texas. All back together and working well. Would have been much more difficult without the tremendous support from the members of this Forum. Thanks very much.