Country Coach Owners Forum

Country Coach Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums => Country Coach Archive => Topic started by: Bob Kumza on March 17, 2006, 11:19:29 am

Title: Removable radiator grill
Post by: Bob Kumza on March 17, 2006, 11:19:29 am
Yahoo Message Number: 21739 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21739)
My radiator grill is permanently pop-riveted in place, but it sure would be nice to figure out a way to remove the permanent pop-rivets and attach the grill with some type of hinge and latch, or at least some type of secure removeable method. It would sure be nice to be able to clean this area without the grill in place.

Has anyone modified their coach to accomplish this? If so, can you please provide details and pictures?

Thanks

Bob Kumza
2003 Intrigue
Title: Re: Removable radiator grill
Post by: John on March 17, 2006, 11:47:01 am
Yahoo Message Number: 21740 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21740)
I noticed the pop rivets when we got our unit back from LD after the C13 cooling retro. I thought it had screws before, but not sure now.

I would think hinging would be a major pain, but I don't see why screws would not work. Again, I don't know what I had, but I will be watching here to see what others say.

Our Dutch Star was hinged, and it was nice, but way smaller grill.

John and Terry
2005 Affinity

Quote from: rvrobert2003
Title: Re: Removable radiator grill
Post by: Bob Kumza on March 17, 2006, 02:15:53 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 21743 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21743)
I understand that at one point in time, CC did use screws to hold the grill in place, but the screws had a tendency to vibrate loose and several people lost their grill -- that's when CC decided to start using pop-rivets.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could find some vibration proof mechanism to replace the pop-rivets? Maybe something like the push and twist latches that are holding the refrigerator door in place would work? Or maybe there is something that is common in the boating industry that could be used that would make a nice professional finish that is rust proof.

Any ideas?

Regards

Bob Kumza
2003 Intrigue
Title: Re: Removable radiator grill
Post by: Cecanterbury@cs Com on March 17, 2006, 03:20:07 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 21744 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21744)
Title: Re: Removable radiator grill
Post by: Maxmlkman@aol Com on March 17, 2006, 03:59:11 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 21745 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21745)
Also do a google search on spin tights and riv nuts. Excellent products

Max

98 Affinity #5487
Title: Re: Removable radiator grill
Post by: TWI on March 17, 2006, 04:32:21 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 21746 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21746)
Why not use push twist locks like the aircraft industry does on access panels? TWI 11731 2004 intrigue
Title: Re: Removable radiator grill
Post by: Countryjrc on March 17, 2006, 07:16:42 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 21749 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21749)
In the photo section under CC test coach, last picture are two louvered grills that we attached with screws. The original one piece grill was discarded. We added some extra screws buy drilling holes and then using self taping metal screws. Works well and is removable.
John

2002 Allure
#30702
Title: Re: Removable radiator grill
Post by: Joseph Stevener on March 17, 2006, 11:51:06 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 21755 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21755)
John,

Pop rivets.
Joe

Intrigue 11876
2005
Title: Re: Removable radiator grill
Post by: Jim Hughes on March 18, 2006, 12:03:24 am
Yahoo Message Number: 21756 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/21756)
My coach has screws holding the grill in place. I have to keep a check on them because I have seen a couple of them loosen through the vibrations. However, not very often. The pop rivets can be easily drilled out and replaced with a stainless sheetmetal screw or a machine screw using a clip-nut underneath. Either of these would be easier than having to install a zeus or camloc type aircraft fastener previously mentioned.

Jim Hughes

2000 Allure #30511

Quote from: rvrobert2003