Tonight the closet door wouldn't unlatch. I was just in there less than 30 minutes earlier and all was fine. Then the button on the door wouldn't move. The door itself swings on the hinges, so it wasn't something that had fallen down and was pushing the door out. I used a table knife to gently bow the jamb back and the door opened. The latch mechanism is attached to the door with two small ears, top and bottom, with small Phillips head screws through them. The bottom ear has broken and the top one doesn't look like it will last much longer, so tomorrow I get to call Foretravel and order a new latch. Before I do, though, I'm going to carefully go through the coach looking for any more of those latches. I think the only other one is one of the two drawers in the couch, but I think I'll order at least one spare for when another one dies.
The plastic or rubber trim on the inside of the door window is coming loose, so I'll order some of that, too. Neither job looks to be too difficult (famous last words!).
@David I've never had a latch fail but have replaced all of the push buttons. The gold coating they use only lasts for a year or 2 on the popular doors. Luckily the push buttons just screw off and FOT carries them and they are fairly inexpensive. There are slight differences in the push buttons. Keep your old ones in case you need to salvage parts. Mine had a spacer that screws into the back of the button and then into the latch. Not all doors require these spacers. With the spacers the push buttons stood a little proud of the gold ring that surrounds the push button. I filed my spacers down so the buttons where flush. Just something to be aware of. :) It's always something!
see ya
ken
OPYIONS: Replacing push in door knobs (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=19702.msg140101#msg140101)
David, take a look had the same issue but also replaced rings. ^.^d
Thanks for all the tips. I'll see what I come up with later today.
Rockler
Push Button Catch - Rockler Woodworking Tools (http://www.rockler.com/positive-action-push-button-catch)
The one from Rockler has the same size knobs as the factory but they are shorter (meant for thinner doors). The latch mechanism used by FOT is designed for a specific setback from the door edge and the knob is longer (or has a spacer) to accommodate a thicker door. I have bought a few from different sources and none have fit correctly. Most places you buy these from don't give you enough information to know it they will fit. Buying a replacement from FOT would probably be a one and done sort of thing. No matter what I order from them the shipping charges are at least $15. They always send it UPS even if it would easily fit in an envelope and sent for just a buck or two.
It sure would be nice to have an on-line parts cross reference and catalog from FOT and be able to order parts and select shipping options. Every time I order something it is like they have no customer records, no customer accounts and no ship-to records. They should be able to just look us up by name or account number and just confirm info. They should know what coach we own, what its build number is, what our Motorcade number is, all that stuff.
Just my opinion ... Roger
These knob look interesting. The Brass Works Inc - Brass & Stainless Steel Hardware (http://www.thebrassworksinc.com/cabinet-latches-push-buttons.html) I've changed out the facet to nickel so would like to change the door push buttons too. They don't list a price though. :(
see ya
kne
Nice find, Ken. 280+ page catalog to download. I will have to brush up on my German and find a metric ruler. Lots of goodies here.
Roger
Roger, Ken the ones listed on my post cost about $22 each. Good solid fir perfect in my 94.