Judy takes the dog for a walk before I get up. When she got back, I heard a thump, a moan and a cry. Up I got, she was fine, had fallen on the steps closing the door and landed on the dog ,who was fine, ("cushioned") her. Asked what happened, as she landed backwards after trying to shut the door. She handed me THE INSIDE LATCH that had pulled free! We were trapped inside, all my tools outside & I thought I might me able to free the door from the outside. I had to, no way to get at the inside mechanism without the door open. Made a little riser out of pillows and out the window I went, scared! Not knowing what the innards of the latch were like, I took a chance and poked around inside with a flat head, somehow freeing the latch back into open position. With the door open, I could take the inside latch apart. The connection had been "swedged" and broken (cheap way to build it). I drilled a hole, borrowed a tap and got a stainless machine screw to hold it all together. Sprayed-down with lube, re-assembled the guts. worked fine. Used loc-tite on all the exterior screws. I don't know if the outside edge white brace on the inside of the door is factory or Brett. When we move north, I'll check the big boxes for some sort of a handle where the the broken screen door latch is. The worst part? First, being trapped, then getting out the window! Should have take some pics of the latch job, sorry. I wonder if that latch is even available anymore?
Wow, looks like a lot of exercise.
The "brace" was there when we bought the coach with 30k miles on it. Suspect OE.
Only mod I made is the two "keep the dead bolts from accidentally activating" pieces.
I've seen other coaches where the latch had broken and they had to enlarge the rough opening and modify the connection. Imagine how many times that latch has been closed? The stainless screw should hold for another twenty years! ^.^d
Mike,
I bought my new interior latch from FT with the shipping it was around $70 as I remember.We were at Santa Rosa in New Mex. when I was doing the same thing.....climb out the window etc. flat blade screwdriver and fish around to pop the latch. I took the assy. apart and tossed the inner latch mechanism to one side and put the brace back on now I could see what was happening then lived with it till we got home. Called Brad at FT and with a few photos to confirm we were on the same page he had it in the mail same day. Now that's GOOD service ! b^.^d
Mick
Mike foretravel parts had one this fall but price is up around $100. New shaft was drilled but no threads, so I tapped it for 10-32 and installed screw. I heard Winnebago used the same latch, and there is another thread on this subject. With screw and washer it may last another 20 years.