Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: GV Door Sag (Read 850 times) previous topic - next topic

GV Door Sag

I thought that I had my door sag fixed but the aluminum hinge has worn even further and door is really hard to open.  I tried  inserting some "E" clips but they will not stay in place, short of replacing the hinge does anyone else have any ideas.  The Clips I tried to place were 5/16, I couldld not find a "C" clip at Ace Hardware that seemed the right size.
Gary B

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #1 –
Gary,

Does your door hinge have a white plastic section in the hinge near the top and bottom of the hinge? Mine does and it's what controls the height of the door (not the hinge sections), I had a problem with my door riding low (on and wearing the hinge sections) and not lining up with the latch.
I made new spacers out of plastic water pipe given to me at FOT. The door now rides on the plastic inserts and does not ride on the metal hinge and lines up with the latch. The door closes easily as the latch does not have to lift the door to align to close.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #2 –
John, That's is exactly the problem. At one time I got new spacers but removing the door and hinge to put them in is more than I can handle.  What was the pipe that you got from FOT ? How did you install it ?
Thanks
Gary B

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #3 –
Gary, this is what I used on my door and they have stayed in. Got them at Fastenal.
They have been in almost 2years
Jimmy Freytag,  Ardmore, Ok
1999 36ft U320. — -SOLD—-
1988 40ft GV        1990 36ft U280
1993 40ft U280      1996 36ft U280
  TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN THE TIME WILL COME
            WHEN YOU NO LONGER CAN.

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #4 –
Gary,

It's a piece of opaque semi-rigid plastic pipe. I looked for it at Lowe's the other day and couldn't find the exact same thing. It is the same diameter as the metal hinge (like the existing pieces).

I used a box cutter to score the piece that I wanted to remove, after four or five passes it went through, then take a common screw driver and pry it apart (it will break).
Get someone to hold up on the door and mark the new material (cut it just long of the mark) and file it down till it will just fit with the door held up. With a box cutter cut it through (length wise) then pry it open just enough to push it over the hinge pin. Then do the other piece -- do one at a time to hold the door up.  You may want to remove the first one then go shopping. If you can't find a suitable piece I can send you enough to do a door.


John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #5 –
John,

Could you take a photo of the extra plastic piece you have? Does it seem to be strong enough for the weight of the door?

We have had the sag problem and have fixed it somewhat by cutting a little off the top 'fixed' part of the hinge that is welded to the door frame. Now the door hinge bolts can be loosened and raised up a bit against the newly shorter top stop.

But I had no idea that those plastic parts that have long ago fell apart, were there to support the door. I would like to insert some new plastic parts.

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #6 –
John, I'll try your idea.
I just went out and measured with a caliper the dimensions.
They are : Inside 3/8
                Outside  5/8
                Height  1 inch

I'll try an ace Hardware to see if I can find a bushing or pipe that fits these.  Thanks for the idea, I'll let you know what I get.
Now I have to go out and find the little small wheel ( less Thai 1/4 " that fell off my caliper.
Gary B

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #7 –
Barry & Cindy,

I am away until around the third of January but will take a picture and post it as soon as I can.

I fixed my door about a year and a half ago and it still works fine so it seems strong enough to support the weight of the door.

I couldn't find the same material at Lowe's but I will look around other stores for it.
I don't know if the shiny white water pipe that Lowe's has will give enough to get it over the hinge pin without breaking.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #8 –
Gary,
Maybe a magnet will pick up the missing tool part.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #9 –
You might try a pipe and hose specialty shop if you are in a fairly large town. They usually have every type of tubing you can imagine. I also wonder about copper tubing. Could you cut it open longitudinally pry it open and then squeeze it back together?
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #10 –
This is just a thought, could the pipe that John mentioned be 3/8 PEX tubing. ??? ???
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #11 –
Bill
Good thought Bill, I need to compair what I have to some PEX tubing, It does look like that!
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #12 –
Quote
Maybe a magnet will pick up the missing tool part.
Report to moderator    Logged
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

John, most of an hour with a magnet and the DW turned up the part, a small wheel on an old fashioned Caliper that allows you to CREEP the readings by 16th's, The thing is only about 70 years old, don't know why its worn and loose. :) :)
Gary B

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #13 –
At an ACE Hardware I found 1 inch nylon bushings with a 3/8 inner diameter, the outside diameter was only 1/2 inch.  I was able to split it and form it around the hinge pin. Parts bin SAID 1 Inch but when I put them in they were not tight, believe that 1 and 1/16th would have been better.  Door works better so we will see if this is a permanent fix, thanks all for the help.
Gary B

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #14 –
Gary,
If that bushing holds the door up so the metal hinge parts don't ride on each other it will keep the hinge from wearing and getting the latch alignment out of whack, the door should close easier and the latch should last a long time.

Glad that your DW found the missing tool part. She may hold out for dinner out tonight!
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'
 

Re: GV Door Sag

Reply #15 –
Barry & Cindy,

Bill Willett is right, I looked closely at the pipe I have and can see a very faint PEX on there. You can improve your door latch alignment with new bushings in the hinge.

John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'