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Front slide header removal

June 23, 2013, 12:05:06 pm

It appears that the front slide header assembly consists of three parts.  The header and the left leg and the right leg.  I have removed the material attached with Velcro from the right and left leg and there are about a dozen screws attaching it to the slide on each leg.  There is also 5 screws in the bottom of the header that are covered with buttons.  It appears that if I remove these 5 header screws and also the screws on the legs the entire header and legs will come off in one piece.  Is this correct?

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Re: Front slide header removal

Reply #1 – June 23, 2013, 01:10:13 pm

Yeah ... pretty much. I watched when they took ours apart at FOT, but did not pay total attention, as it was getting pretty crowded and I needed to get out of the way.  Why on earth are you taking it apart?

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Re: Front slide header removal

Reply #2 – June 23, 2013, 01:15:37 pm

Carol - On another thread on this forum - we have a small leak on top of the main slide.  It appears that the bladder does not make contact everywhere evenly between the top of the slide and the bladder allowing water to penetrate and collect on the header material and drip.  Would like to see what is going on from the inside.

How is your awning?

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Re: Front slide header removal

Reply #3 – June 23, 2013, 02:46:54 pm

YEs they are screwed in but have someone hold it as you remove the last screw.
There are also grabbers on the top of the slide, at least on my year that pull the slide room up when it hits. I had only two but a third one fixed my problem.

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Re: Front slide header removal

Reply #4 – June 23, 2013, 09:15:45 pm

John S - I do not know what you mean by "grabbers".  I guess I will find out when I remove the header.

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Reply #5 – June 23, 2013, 10:03:31 pm

I will see if I can get you a picture tomorrow. They are about 1.5 inch by 3 inch stainless steel that grabs the top of the slide room and pulls up the slide.  they are bolted on right behind the header. 

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Re: Front slide header removal

Reply #6 – June 23, 2013, 10:38:10 pm

You might not have to take the header off and look from the inside.  Deflate the bladder and look carefully all around the OUTSIDE ... maybe using something the thickness of a credit card to carefully clean the surface of the slide wall that makes contact.  dirt, debris (pine needles!) and such have been known to cause leaks. 

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Reply #7 – June 24, 2013, 12:17:28 am

Thanks Carol - I will take a look in the AM.

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Reply #8 – June 24, 2013, 10:01:10 am

On my 2001 u320, I noticed if we get a driving rain that blows under the slide out awning, it would leak some in the overhead cabinets. After searching I found the fiberglass along the top side was warping a little bit allowing a couple of small valley's against the bladder. Delaminate issues. I am going to have the body shop at FOT look at in the fall. Normal rain has not been an issue. Also, I have a rattling noise in wall directly behind drivers seat that wears on your nerves. I am thinking the bushings may need changing or lubricating?

David

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Reply #9 – June 24, 2013, 10:16:58 am

Thanks David - Delamination?  Maybe......

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Reply #10 – June 24, 2013, 10:38:12 am

David:  FOT indicated to me that after a big rain be sure to lower the big slide side a little to allow any water under the shade and on the slide to drain off before putting in the slide.  This must be a common issue.  The first time a big rain came I was at FOT and when I put the slide in to go in for service water came into the top cabinets on the big slide.  I had them search for a leak but decided it was water on top of the slide.  I installed new rubber sweepers which are on the coach above the slide to swipe any water left under the shade.  I now if I can bring in the big slide if a big rain is coming.  Have not had an issue since.  It just takes a watchful eye for any water which may get under the shade.
Tks DAN

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Re: Front slide header removal

Reply #11 – June 24, 2013, 12:28:50 pm

I had a similar leak on my large LR slide from the top bladder. Believe it or not, the culprit was a single pine tree needle that had wedged itself along the bladder so that when the seal inflated there was a tiny enough gap to allow a small amount of water to trickle in during a heavy rain. Now my slides do not have toppers so there is always water on my slide during rain.

Just something to keep in mind.

Chris

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Re: Front slide header removal

Reply #12 – June 24, 2013, 12:48:15 pm

As I posted in my other thread - it appears that the culprit was a broken zip tie between the bladder and the slide.  Will pull header retract slide and check seal from the inside.  Thanks all.....

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