Those silly side windows

arrveedogz · 07-04-2013, 12:38 AM

I've always had trouble with those flappy little side windows: first the plastic knob strips, then the replacement knobs have too long a shank. Then the molding that is supposed to hold the glass in place comes loose. Luckily, I carry a wide assortment of glues.

But now, the coup de grace: there is a cheap plastic bushing at the end of the two flimsy metal arms that move in and out to open/close the window when the knob is turned. This bit of plastic slides in an aluminum track on the back of the window: as the arms move together, the window opens; as the arms move apart, the window closes. Well, in the war of cheap plastic sliding in an aluminum track, plastic loses. And when the bushing wears out, there is nothing holding your flappy little window closed. Better still, the opening arms are riveted rather than screwed (presumably so they don't fall apart due to vibration), so there's no quick way to remove and replace them that I can see. It looks like they were assembled prior to being installed in the vehicle.

2100 miles from home, the rig will look great with the rear window taped shut. If you see me heading south and west back to Texas later this month, try not to laugh.

Dan
2008 RT Adventurous (the one with taped up window)

Mike · 07-05-2013, 11:29 PM

Caulking them shut might look better.
Tape, particularly duct, is so "NASCAR".

There were some topics on here a while back about them stripping threads when over tightened.
It is supposed to be a pita to fix, but I'm not sure exactly how much of a pita.

I had the driver's side window not quite closing completely on my 2002. I opened it slightly, then gently and firmly pressed it towards the van, and it's been fine ever since (knock on wood).

Johnny R · 07-06-2013, 01:54 AM

No problem at all with them on my Leisure van

Mike · 07-06-2013, 03:22 AM

Oh my, JR, that was a brave thing to do, taunting the Gods of window mechanisms.
Good luck, my friend.

arrveedogz · 07-08-2013, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Caulking them shut might look better.
Tape, particularly duct, is so "NASCAR".

Thanks for the advice, Mike! I hadn't thought of caulk, as I didn't want the solution to become yet another problem

. As for duct tape being redneck, I am heading south so I can probably bust out the duct tape once I get to western PA and blend right in.

Mike · 07-08-2013, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arrveedogz

Quote:

Caulking them shut might look better.
Tape, particularly duct, is so "NASCAR".

Thanks for the advice, Mike! I hadn't thought of caulk, as I didn't want the solution to become yet another problem

. As for duct tape being redneck, I am heading south so I can probably bust out the duct tape once I get to western PA and blend right in.

hmmmmmm, was just thinking out loud, after I read "2100 miles from home" and "when I get to western PA".
Where the heck are you, Labrador?

Actually if you're in the Gaspe area, it was a comfortable 68F and 37% humidity earlier today when I checked TWN, while we were 85F here with a chance of thunderstorms, which just blew through, btw.
(p.s. please don't use caulk on your windows. i was kidding

)

arrveedogz · 07-09-2013, 12:33 AM

Quote:

a comfortable 68F and 37% humidity earlier today

Thanks, I needed a reminder that kind of weather is still possible somewhere in North America.

I've been in Mass and New Hampshire for the past 4 weeks; it's been in the mid 80s-90s with humidity to match. Although the ocean at the NH coast was painfully cold.

The 2100 mile return trip starts next week: back to Texas, where windows solidly caulked shut are a necessity at this time of year.

Dan

Mike · 07-09-2013, 01:02 AM

You must have to use fire retardant caulking in Houston.

I think Mass and NH usually get whatever we've had, just a day or two later. We're about 1,000 miles west of there, crow flight. We've had that same weather here since June 21. Too bad you didn't get a chance to do Gaspe. It's a nice, low stress drive, that can be done in a day or two, depending on how many times you stop and enjoy the views. Rte 132 (follows the shoreline of the peninsula) in Quebec. It can be a loop drive, if you start near Campbellton, NB.

Speaking of PA, ever heard of, or been to, the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania? Supposed to be an interesting stop, if you're headed back through there anyway. We were told about it over a year ago, but haven't had a chance to check it out yet. We hope to get out again in a few weeks, after almost 2 years in dry dock. Most likely to the Gaspe, for the aforementioned reasons.

arrveedogz · 07-10-2013, 11:49 PM

yep, I've seen that particular canyon, but not the other one. Nor Gaspe. Planned a Nova Scotia trip once (although not from Texas), but didnt get that far. Maybe next year.

Mike · 07-11-2013, 12:04 AM

Just curious. How did it compare to the "other" Grand Canyon? Was it a worthwhile trip?
Somehow, I can't imagine a comparison, but I have to ask. Apples and oranges?
We've done the New River Gorge, which is interesting to say the least. We missed "bridge day" 3 years ago, because it happened when we were returning from a long trip, and we didn't have enough gas left in our bio-tanks to stick around. We just crossed the bridge northbound before they closed it for the jumpers.

arrveedogz · 07-11-2013, 06:27 PM

Yeah, maybe it's apples and pineapples. Where the GC is sharply eroded, desert-stark and monumentally vivid (or so I've seen in photos), the PA gc is softly rounded, lushly treed and subtly green all over. I suppose it would be a great thing to see in the fall leaf season.

TT = sold?

Mike · 07-11-2013, 10:07 PM

Sounds like another New River Gorge, then. I think we'll take a pass on it as a destination, but may happen upon it sometime.
TT = SOLD. New owner is happily prepping it to take it out tomorrow, and we got what we wanted for it.
Win/win situation.
Back to travel by Roadtrek..... oh nooooooooo!!!!

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