Yahoo Message Number: 76180 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/76180)
Hi,
My latch story.
In my case the problems with the latches have been with the plastic latching bolts (one on either side of the door). The center paddle handles are all OK (at least so far). As are the two control rods that run out to the latches. I've replaced 6-8 of these latches when they break. It's a cheap plastic part (made in China) whose mold hasn't been designed properly. A stress raiser (sharp angle) has been molded into the bolt where the pawl engages it for release. Over time, the plastic cracks there and the bolt breaks into two pieces. When that happens the bolt can't be retracted from the latch which jams the door shut. I'd imagine as the bolt fails (before complete separation) the latch operation may become unpredictable. There is an aluminum metal cover behind the paddle handle with 4 screws holding it and the paddle handle mechanism in place. Removing it allows access to the control rods and speed nuts that hold them in place. They need to be disconnected to remove the jamb latches. In my case, at least one of the four screws snapped off requiring it to be drilled out and the female threads touched up. It's an 8-32 thread and an odd sized screw length. That usually doubles the time it takes to make the repair.
When the bay door jams shut, you need to pull the paddle (and hold it) then carefully slide a small screw driver in the space between adjacent doors to push the broken part of the bolt towards the center of the door to release it. As mentioned, I've not yet had any problems with the paddle handles or control rods. It's always been a broken plastic latch bolt. I never slam my bay doors shut either. I always close them by hand slowly then use my knee to compress the gasket and click each bolt into its latch. It's a bit more work but I think it helps prolong the time between failures. There is some reference information about the latches here:
http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=52#Post52 (http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=52#Post52) I usually keep 4 of them in stock to make repairs as required. Having ready access to all compartments is important and in some cases it might avoid a safety issue. I remember a fellow somewhere here made bolts from metal which would permanently solve this problem. I'm sorry I can't remember the link to his product. Good luck with repairs and I hope this helps a few folks out there.
Best - Scott
2006 Allure 430 #31349
(Bus-Stead Lemon)
Yahoo Message Number: 76184 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/76184)
You might take a look at this site for a fix to the plastic latching bolt.
http://www.rbmachininginc.com/6301.html (http://www.rbmachininginc.com/6301.html)
Barney
07 Inspire 52059
Yahoo Message Number: 76185 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/76185)
Barney & All Others:
Just wanted to let you know that this company in not very responsive with their call backs, also on their website they show the bay door latches for three different companies but not for Country Coach. The CC bay door latches are a specific size and if you get the wrong size they will not work, I am working with this company right now to find out what specs of latches they do offer, it looks to me that the latches they have on their site for the Winnebago will work but I have to make sure before I start purchasing these latches from them.
Happy Holidays !!
Kevin Waite (Former Country Coach Service Tech.) K&M Mobile R.V. Repair LLC
95430 Noraton Rd.
Junction City, OR. 97448
541-953-6162 (Cell)
kvn.wt.7629@... (kvn.wt.7629@...)
Yahoo Message Number: 76209 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/76209)
I don't know why they were not responsive. I have made two separate purchases with great response. Using the winnebago model. Not associated with them, just a satisfied customer.
Gil B
'05 Inspire
51322
Yahoo Message Number: 76212 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/76212)
Gil, When U ordered your new latches, is there a part number on it somewhere that can be referenced? I'm having a problem with one and have not taken it apart yet to see what is wrong with it. Thanks Dave
07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495 Mountains of So Cal
Yahoo Message Number: 76215 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/76215)
Dave:
I would imagine that the Allure uses the same latch as my Inspire, but I'm not sure. I used Winnebago (P/N WN001)
http://www.rbmachininginc.com/index2.html (http://www.rbmachininginc.com/index2.html)
The plastic plungers break when the doors are slammed shut. Not done on purpose, but sometimes the door just let go from my hands and slammed shut, the plunger would break. Remove the 4 screws that hold the handle, carefully remove the spring carb clip that holds the lever arm. It's not easy but doable. Now remove the two screws the hold the latch. The latch will come out with the lever arm. Remove the spring carb clip to the latch and you have it. If you loose the clip, contact me, I have a box full of them.
You may want to send the latch and save $3.00 per latch.
Gil B
'05 Inspire
51322
Yahoo Message Number: 76216 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/76216)
Gil,
The latches that on each side the door is not my problem at this time.
After I shut the door and make sure that the edge latches are secured, I lock the lock on the door handle. After locking the door, I can reach down and pull up on the handle and this action will allow the door to become disengaged from the sides and open. Although the door lock is still locked, it allows the door to be opened. I only have this problem on 2 of the doors. The others remain locked and not able to be opened. I was hoping that you have replaced the inter workings of the door and might have had some info on the model #.
Thanks
Dave
07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495 Mountains of So Cal
Yahoo Message Number: 76217 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/76217)
Dave:
Give me a call about your door issues when you get a few minutes.
Kevin Waite
541-953-6162
Yahoo Message Number: 76218 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/76218)
I call U tomorrow...Tuesday..since it looks like we will get lots of snow tonight and there will be nothing to do but shovel.........
Dave
07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495 Mountains of So Cal
Yahoo Message Number: 76235 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/76235)
I had the same problem with being able to pull the bay door open although closed and locked. The plastic pieces were simply sliding f the engaging bar or whatever it is called and pulling back into the bay door.
I tried adjusting the engaging bracket - that didn't work. I tried carefully filing an indentation in the plastic to make it grab - that helped but didn't solve the problem.
I swapped one of the engagement brackets (the slottted U-shaped steel parts with rectangular holes for the engaging plastic pins that bolt to the body) and that solved the problem for some reason. I have no idea why but it worked for me.
Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178