OK, I need some ideas. I've tried cleaning the dirt from the tracks and then using silicone to lubricate them. They are still too tight. I've thought of removing each pane and shaving the plastic trim. around the glass. Or seeing if I can raise the upper track or lower the lower track...doesn't look possible. Also thought of using a "jack" to spread the upper and lower tracks a just little....though the fixed pane might not like that.
Any suggestions from the group - other than trade coaches.
Jim
2002 U320 42'
I need advice about how to make the sliding windows move easier. I have tried cleaning the tracks well, using silicone lubrication and even thought about shaving the plastic around the glass pane. They are really tight.
Any suggestions from the forum - besides trading coaches?
Jim
2002 U320 42'
Here is my suggestion. It addresses two potential problems in one swell foop.
Remove the windows, install new gaskets and when you reinstall the windows, DO NOT over tighten the screws that hold the inner frame to the outer. This will allow the windows to slide easier. I think if you just loosen the screws without replacing the gasket, you will end up with a bad seal.
The window has round corners and the hole in the wall is square. Over time, the gasket compresses, shrinks in length and pulls back at the corners. You can check to see how much they have shrunk by using a very thin putty knife or feeler gauge at the corners. It should not slide in more than about an 1/4 of an inch. Compare it to the flat sides.
I found several of mine had pulled back enough that they no longer sealed the corners. It took me about 90-120 minutes to remove, prep and reinstall with a new gasket. You can buy the gasket from Xtreme by the foot.
Hope this helps,
Rich
[merged 2 identical topics]
Jim,
If you do go down the route of uninstalling/re-installing the windows, this is the gasket material that I have used.
Rubber D-Shaped Seal, EPDM Rubber, .750 in. W x .375 in. H, General Acrylic... (http://www.austinhardware.com/bulb-only-3-4-w-x-3-8-h-dual.html)
Our coach already had a rubber gasket on the original window installation. The hardest part was removing the old gasket from the window frame. The window frame has about 25 screws that clamp the wall of the coach. I did take care to not tighten the screws too much. I did not specifically try to slide the window before, uninstalled, and after. If the window was sliding too tight after uninstalling, I would try some sort of wedge to open the slide. Perhaps a call to FOT or Motion windows for ideas?
At Walmart's bicycle section there is a liquid lube in a small plastic bottle- lubes chains- that stuff works amazing.
Jig-a-Loo has worked well for me for years.