HeavyD
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Post by HeavyD on Jul 20, 2014 17:08:48 GMT -8
I got my first window cleaned up and installed in the trailer today. It is a Hehr standard from the 50's. The window was in good shape, I just cleaned it up and replaced the glass seal and the seal between the window and the frame. Now that it is in, it is hard to close and metal bar across the middle where the operator is bows when it is closed. Trouble is, I have no idea if this is what it was like before. All of the other windows are out of the trailer and they do not feel that tight. I am not sure if it is because the seal is worn on the old ones or because there is no structure and the whole window is bowing when closed. It is not so tight that I can't close it, just tighter than I expected. Is the bowing normal when closed? When open it operates just fine.
Thanks,
Greg |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jul 20, 2014 17:30:50 GMT -8
Hard to say without seeing the window in person.
If the center bar is aluminum, make sure you find a way to not have it under much tension because it will break in the middle. If the center bar is steel, it will take more abuse. Make sure the window is working smoothly and not hanging up on a screw, or an edge. Compare the window to another frame to make certain that everything is back together the same, it's easy to reverse a part, (wonder how I know that, LOL). The new back frame gasket will be much thicker than your sixty year old seals which will be flat and compressed.
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Post by vikx on Jul 20, 2014 21:11:05 GMT -8
I agree. Something doesn't sound right to me. Mine are tight, but not bowed... I'm assuming the glass is original. I made the mistake of trying thicker glass in one and finally broke the glass.
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HeavyD
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Post by HeavyD on Jul 22, 2014 16:18:29 GMT -8
Everything is original except the seals and the really short screws holding the glass keepers in. I got the seals and the screws from VTS. It is put together just like it was, I marked pieces when it came apart.
This is closed and latched. If you compare the middle to the top and bottom, you can see the bow: 
This is closed from the inside: 
This is a picture with the latch unhooked. The middle piece straightens out, but does not sit flat and I am not really able to push it flat: 
I wish I would have paid more attention on the tear down, but this is not something I was thinking about.
Any opinions appreciated. Thanks. |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jul 22, 2014 19:50:59 GMT -8
It's really hard to see your photos because of the glass reflections. Looking at the bottom photo, it appears that the pivot mounting screw and nut "might be" hanging up on the U-Channel. I have experienced this, and had to spread the U-Channel at the point where the bolt and nut are located. They used a really short 8-32 screw and a plain nut without any lock washer to get something thin enough to fit inside the channel originally. Not sure how, or why, the nut stayed on the screw. I used a thicker nylox nut, and had to spread the channel (slightly) to make it fit.
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hedlund
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Post by hedlund on Jul 22, 2014 20:56:35 GMT -8
Perhaps the guide track @ the top (the one that is the sleeve) may be obstructed? Worth pulling it out & double check placement. Also it's easy to do while installed. Process of elimination.
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Post by vikx on Jul 22, 2014 22:31:32 GMT -8
Check the FIT of all pieces involved. I agree with John, something is hanging up...
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Post by Teachndad on Oct 15, 2014 15:19:24 GMT -8
Hard to say without seeing the window in person. If the center bar is aluminum, make sure you find a way to not have it under much tension because it will break in the middle. If the center bar is steel, it will take more abuse. Make sure the window is working smoothly and not hanging up on a screw, or an edge. Sorry about the thread jacque, but I figured it fit in (no pun intended). I have one small push out window in the front of my trailer that has a broken center bar. It's almost snapped in half at the bolt midway down. (It's the bar that is attached to the back side of the window and goes up vertically on the window itself when you push out the toothed rod. It's riveted to the top and bottom of the window and is really thin aluminum. See my avatar to see the window. Are those "bars" available somewhere or do we have to fabricate one from craft store aluminum or possibly splint the existing one? In one or two of the smaller windows in the front, the rivets have popped on the top, but the lower rivets held. Do you need pix? I don't know if that was clear enough? Two of the smaller windows are completely gone except a fragment that is two inches long. So, I can see how thick the glass was. Do I go to a glass/window shop to replace? Cheers Rod |
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lovnvintage
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Post by lovnvintage on Oct 15, 2014 16:58:50 GMT -8
Mine was snapped in the same place. Tried to fabricate one and it wouldn't work right still. I bought a couple off of Mobiletec's friend. Can't remember his email but sure he will give it to you to see if he has anymore. Couldn't locate any except through him. Good luck.
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mobiltec
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I make mistakes so you don't have to...
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Post by mobiltec on Oct 15, 2014 18:00:26 GMT -8
Oh I can't believe I missed this thread. Yes you can get parts and I have straightened those out before also. Just takes a little time and some special touches with weird tools. See what Chris has available at trailertrasher1@gmail.com He dismantles trailers out in the southern California desert and ships most parts.
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