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Topic: Carefree Door Awning Squeal (Read 1125 times) previous topic - next topic
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Carefree Door Awning Squeal

Yahoo Message Number: 23269
This afternoon when I put the awning out it squealed like a stuck pig.
When I tried to put it back in later it didn't want to come in. It would squeak and move about 1/4". I cycled the switch a couple of times and it finally retracted. Any ideas? I looked at the manual and it doesn't say anything about lubricating the unit. That's what it sounds like it needs.
Bob

'05 Intrigue 11872

Re: Carefree Door Awning Squeal

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23272
Have you drilled the drain hole(s) in the bottom of the plastic motor housing? If you don't have these drain hole(s) the motor housing will fill with water during rains and will eventually ruin the motor. The bad thing about this is that if that happens there is no way to replace the motor. The entire awning has to be replaced. When I picked up my coach at the factory, I had heard about this on some bulletin board on the internet and asked the service technicians at the factory about it and they didn't know anything about it. The did, however, check with their Carefree tech representative and he confirmed it. They then drilled two drain holes in the bottom of the motor housing and I've never had a problem.
I understand that at some later point in time these awnings began to arrive at the CC factory with the drain hole predrilled by Carefree, but I can't tell you the timeframe for that.

Brian Davis
'05 Intrigue
42' OVTS

Coach #11901

Re: Carefree Door Awning Squeal

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23274
Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Carefree Door Awning SquealThanks for the info. I just stuck my head out the door and I don't see any holes in the plastic motor housing. And with spending the summer in northern Washington I think this desert rat is going to be washed away. We do a sun dance when it doesn't rain! --
Sue

'05-42' Allure #31254

Re: Carefree Door Awning Squeal

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23277
Certainly drill the holes in the awning to make sure that the motor housings will drain. If you have an over-the-door automatic awning, drill holes in that motor housing as well as the patio awning motor housing.
Also, Carefree techs advised me to use silicon spray on both ends of each awning to "flush the grim out and to lubicate".

They also suggested using lots of spray to make sure that the roller ends are cleaned out. I now do this as regular maintenance on the ends of each awning including the over-the-window manual awnings.

Ray and Rue
05 Allure 31176

Re: Carefree Door Awning Squeal

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23278
How about to "flush the grim out and to lubricate"...

Ray and Rue

Re: Carefree Door Awning Squeal

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23279
Bob,

I had a similar problem in that when the awning tried to come out it just quit on me. Tried again and got a little more motion. Decided to remove the cover and give it a little lubricant. After spraying Corrosion X on just about everything that appeared to be a moving part and nudging it a little as it tried to move, things loosened up and it began to work normally. The drain holes are a good idea (and plan on doing it) but I think my problem was just lack of use. I susppect that since I spend so much a my time on the Oregon Coast, the moist salt air does not help.

Jim Grossen

2004 42' Ovation #11719

Re: Carefree Door Awning Squeal - Fixed and Question

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23285
I took the advice of the group, liberally sprayed silicon everywhere and the awning works fine. Where in the motor housing did you drill the holes. Mine seems to have a seam across the bottom and I was thinking of taking the rear cover off and just filing a couple of notches in the seam since its pretty much at the bottom of the unit.
I'm nervous about drilling without seeing what is behind the part I am drilling.
Bob

'05 Intrigue 11872

Re: Carefree Door Awning Squeal - Fixed and Question

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23286
I drilled two holes right along the seam that you mention. I just made sure that I just barely got through the cover material.

Brian Davis

'05 Intrigue 42' OVTS
Coach #11901
 

Re: Carefree Door Awning Squeal - Fixed and Question

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23290
Brian is correct, drill the holes in the seam that's along the bottom. The plastic material is soft so you do not have to use lots of pressure on the drill bit. Thus you can get thru it without going too deep and hitting anything else. If you are still concerned, wrap several turns of masking tape around the drill bit about a quarter inch from the bit tip and this will stop the bit from going deeper, if you are careful and don't use too much pressure.
Hope this is helpful.

Ray and Rue
05 Allure 31176