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Topic: 1991 Grand Villa Door Lock broken (Read 1348 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Door Lock broken

Reply #25 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
One addition I might have made was to drill a small hole thru the actuator plate and into the handle, then put a small dowel or spring pin down flush with the actuator plate. Then the washer/screw would hold the pin in the hole AND there would be zero rotating force on the friction fit of washer and handle.
The dowel would need to be very small in diameter.  If you look at the photos in the original post, where the handle shaft changes from square to round, you can see there is not much of a shoulder for the actuating plate to rest on.

I think all the rotational strength of the assembly comes from the "square peg in a square hole" design.  All my "fix" needs to do is insure that the square shaft does not come loose and fall out of the square hole.  Assuming the square shaft is a snug fit in the square hole (on mine, it is), then there should be little or no strain on my washers and screw when the handle is turned.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Door Lock broken

Reply #26 –
Thanks, Chuck. :))  I did give myself a possible out when I added the words:"might have". :))
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: 1991 Grand Villa Door Lock broken

Reply #27 –
I added a pull handle near the lever to close the door. Also cut the lock slide off  flush .

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Door Lock broken

Reply #28 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
I added a pull handle near the lever to close the door.
That's a very good idea!  ^.^d

I have always used the OEM door handle under discussion to pull the door closed, AND I use it as a "assist" handle when climbing into the coach.  BOTH of these "bad" habits will surely contribute to it eventually breaking loose and falling off.

I will also add a pull handle to our door.  :thumbsup:
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Door Lock broken

Reply #29 –
Finally got some time to work on the lock. Following Chucks write up, I am able to get the door lock fixed with pretty good result.

I have a very old rusty toolbox with different sizes of the tap plug. Pick up years ago at some yard sale for almost nothing. I know I am going to need it some day ;D .

Some of the tap plug is covered with rust, can't read the mark on the plug. But using the hole of the drill bit, I think the one I used is 3/16.

Finding the proper bolts is another challenge, I have a box with all kinds of bolts nuts and screws. But none of them fit. I almost give up and ready for a trip to Home Depot. But I then found some screw used for Server Racks. It fit the thread perfect. and it is stainless steel. It can hold few hundred pounds of server, so the force of the door handle should be nothing. The bolts I used is M5 x20mm. Might not be perfect fit for the 3/16 tap thread. but it works.

With some Locktiet red 271 permanet thread locker, hope this fix can last a long time.

@Chuck & Jeannie thanks for your write up.


But it will not be a complete Old RV ownership story without some twist. After I fixed the door lock, I was very happy, and trying to fire up the coach and drive it around. That's when I noticed the check transmission light is on. I will start a new thread to ask your help on this.








1991 Grand Villa U300