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Topic: Patio awning spring "let go" (Read 1003 times) previous topic - next topic

Patio awning spring "let go"

Anyone ever repair or replace the spring on their manual Zip Dee patio awning themselves? Our spring apparently "let go" and now it does not roll up by the spring actuation. Can I take the back end out and refasten the spring, or is it trash, and just try to order a new one. Unfortunately our awning is a 1989 production and the last time we tried to get a part we were told they no longer had parts for that era model.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #1 –
Did the spring break or did it loose some of it's tension? Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #2 –
My ZipDee spring broke...the one over the slide.  They sell a replacement spring to pop-rivet in place after  you pull the old one out.  Then you wind the arm.  As I recall, the new spring had good clear instructions.  A second helper was needed, but didn't take too long and the ZipDee folks were very responsive and helpful.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #3 –
Nitehawk, Call Zipdee and order a new one, be prepared to tell them the length of the awning. 
BE CAREFUL and follow their directions , that spring can jump up and bite you when you least expect it.
Gary B

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #4 –
Hi Nitehawk,
  I think you will need to know the diameter. My 1997 has a two inch, and a two and one half inch diameter available.
Raymond
Raymond & Babette Jordan
1997 U 320
1998 Ford Explorer XLT

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #5 –
Nitehawk where are you located? If in florida, I might have just what you need. I have several zipdee awning springs for the main awning. You can call me 813 215 3463
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #6 –
Quote from: gam –
Did the spring break or did it loose some of it's tension? Gam

Rare to break.  Not rare to lose tension. 

Bob
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #7 –
I actually have a spare used one I bought when I thought mine broke. Are you close to Joplin, mo.? I paid $125 for it if interested.
Jeff and Victoria Moses
1990 U300 40'

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #8 –
We are located in Wausau, Wisconsin, almost dead center in the state. It is, I believe, without going out this early in the morning, 18 feet long. The spring provided absolutely ZERO assist the last time I tried to put it up in the store position. It seemed, on previous occasions, that it took more and more assistance to "help" it get started to rewind. I realize the instructions say to help it rewind for about 12 to 18 inches on its way, but it was taking more and more distance the last few times.
Today is my 71st birthday so I will be quite busy doing a whole lot of nothing, but will try to answer everybody's questions regarding measurements, etc, tomorrow.

Thanks,

Norm/nitehawk
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #9 –
Quote
The spring provided absolutely ZERO assist the last time I tried to put it up in the store position.
Ours was the same. Matter of fact, I had to stand on a step ladder and roll it to the top by hand. Turned out the spring just needed to be wound. Works fine now. Hope you have the same issue.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #10 –
Jor, thanks but two years ago the rear rafter pewter casting end broke during a downpour while we were at Cagle CG between Huntsville and Conroe. I had to unwind the spring, install the new rafter arm casting and then rewind the spring.  A bit scarey until I used the main arm for a winder wrench. Worked great then. But, I think something let go inside as it was taking more and more effort to get the rolled up awning up high enough so the weakened spring would take it the rest of the way. Has anyone ever been able to just take the spring assembly out and then repin/poprivet/bolt the whole thing back together?

Jeff, we plan on heading south mid- to end of October. Might be interested if right length and right part if I haven't rectified the problem by then.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #11 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
Jor, thanks but two years ago the rear rafter pewter casting end broke during a downpour while we were at Cagle CG between Huntsville and Conroe. I had to unwind the spring, install the new rafter arm casting and then rewind the spring.  A bit scarey until I used the main arm for a winder wrench. Worked great then. But, I think something let go inside as it was taking more and more effort to get the rolled up awning up high enough so the weakened spring would take it the rest of the way.


I wonder if there my be some dirt or gunk on/in the end caps. When I went to ZipDee for new material they told me my end caps were gunked up that be why I had to "help" the awning roll itself up.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #12 –
I have also found that some of the springs have a wooden dowel inside the spring, which can swell and make the awning spring seem like it is weak. A friend of mine thought his spring was broken and thought it did not have any tension on it. He unhooked the arm from the head and the head came around and broke several of his fingers as that spring has many turns of tension, so be carefull
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #13 –
Quote from: red tractor –
I have also found that some of the springs have a wooden dowel inside the spring, which can swell and make the awning spring seem like it is weak. A friend of mine thought his spring was broken and thought it did not have any tension on it. He unhooked the arm from the head and the head came around and broke several of his fingers as that spring has many turns of tension, so be carefull
OUCH.
Rick

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Roland Begin –
I wonder if there my be some dirt or gunk on/in the end caps. When I went to ZipDee for new material they told me my end caps were gunked up that be why I had to "help" the awning roll itself up.

Roland

How could the resulting binding be addressed? 

Bob
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
How could the resulting binding be addressed? 

Bob
After trying several different brands of lubricants, I found CRC Marine 6-56 Multi-Purpose Lube to be just the perfect miracle product!!!  I tried them all and then tried the CRC Marine 6-56, which made the awning work perfect!!!!
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #16 –
OK, opened the awning all the way. Unbolted the main support arm from the coach. Unwound the spring (c-clockwise) until no tension and #10-32 x1-1/2" long bolt could be removed without pressure on it. Chiseled off four (4) aluminum rivet heads holding the end cap on. Removed end cap and friction washer. Pulled out spring assembly. Spring is intact but "knarly" at end cap end (kinda twisted-not like rest of spring). Entire spring assembly (Zip Dee part #201100 P.A. spring assembly) is only about 5' long. Apparently used for all length awnings. Just a different location for the "catch rivet" that contacts the inside end of the spring assembly.
I think, because the main tube has a bow in it and the short rivets I added for a Paddy Shade screen, causes enough binding that the spring cannot operate effectively. I followed the Zip Dee instructions--one turn per foot of awning length plus seven additional turns with no result. I added an additional six turns and sprayed the outside surface of the spring (before assembly) and now the awning will self-store at the last two feet.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #17 –
Nighthawk,
Did you get a chance to take any photos? Really curious to know what the inside of these things look like.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Patio awning spring "let go"

Reply #18 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
How could the resulting binding be addressed? 

Bob
I believe you would have to take the end caps off and clean them in solvent then add some dry silicone lubricant. I was at Zip Dee having new material and asked them to tighten up the springs cause mine did not go up very well. They showed me the gummed up end caps. Had 20 years of dirt and crap accumulation, work great now. I watched them take the ends off, doesn't look difficult, just have to have help and be careful unwinding and winding the flat spring.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers