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Topic: Bay Door Removal Question (Read 409 times) previous topic - next topic

Bay Door Removal Question

I need to pull my generator and in order to do so I need to take off the bay door and frame. I don't want to make a mistake at this point and need advice. Below is a photo that shows where I am at in this task. Do I need to drill out the rivets holding the door holder-openers (for lack of the correct term), or will the arms pop off the mounting brackets?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Bay Door Removal Question

Reply #1 –
The gas struts mount onto a ball put a thin screw driver in the metal clip to release and pull the strut off of the ball
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: Bay Door Removal Question

Reply #2 –
That should pop off. Looks like the same kind of strut end as on many overhead cabinets struts in later model coaches.

There may be (hard to tell on my computer screen) a metal "band" on the opposite side from where it connects that you can remove to make popping it off easy.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Bay Door Removal Question

Reply #3 –
Thanks Brett. Thanks Ron. I'm glad I asked!
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Bay Door Removal Question

Reply #4 –
Moving right along -- not. The NEXT doggie is getting the lower part of the door frame off. I took out 4 screws and it won't budge. Is it possible that this lower part is part of the body??? Was it tack welded after being attached with screws? I doubt that the generator will come out without this lower piece removed because there isn't enough headroom if I try to go over it. Any thoughts? Am I missing something simple?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Bay Door Removal Question

Reply #5 –
The Onan generator sits on its own isolation frame and that is bolted to an angle iron frame made by FOT.
You will have to remove the exhaust pipe and most likely the regulator screws, unless you can slide the FOT frame to your left enough to clear the regulator mounting plate.
I found that cleaning and lubricating the area where the FOT frame touches the coach frame will make it a whole bunch easier to move the gen around in order to remove. Might even jack the FOT frame up enough to clean and lube under FOT frame and the coach.
On our coach there is a 1/2" hex head bolt that is accessible from the wheel well on the driver's side. I had to back the bolt out in order to slide the gen out.
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: Bay Door Removal Question

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
Moving right along -- not. The NEXT doggie is getting the lower part of the door frame off. I took out 4 screws and it won't budge. Is it possible that this lower part is part of the body??? Was it tack welded after being attached with screws? I doubt that the generator will come out without this lower piece removed because there isn't enough headroom if I try to go over it. Any thoughts? Am I missing something simple?
There are some more screws on the bottom of that trim piece.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Bay Door Removal Question

Reply #7 –
Thank you Nighthawk. I have the detailed instructions you previously wrote. Thank you as well Craneman. I'll get out there and crawl around to see if I can find those other screws. Pulling the generator in my old Foretravel was a piece of cake compared to this one.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird