2006 RT Popular 190, Chevy savana 3500 rear window latch repair

[sbslider]

As pictured, the rear window latch is starting to fail. I'm imagining that it needs perhaps a replacement washer. The pictures of this replacement item on ebay suggests the pin pushes out, and perhaps I just need to tighten the screw. I tried to do this and it did not move easily. Before trying with greater force I decided to ask here if my approach is correct, or I need to go about this differently.

the picture below shows a great reflection of my neighbor's house, as well as the round black piece that is loose on the outside of the window. Below that is a screen shot of the potential replacement part and why I surmised pushing the pin out would work.

 

[booster]

Interesting problem that I don't think we have seen before. The screw is probably corroded so some penetrating oil like Kroil might get it loose. I don't recommend trying to tap out the pin with a punch and hammer as there is a very real chance of shattering the window. There probably is some kind of pin removal tool available pretty reasonably, but it may take some searching. You might be able to get it out by using a small C clamp and a small socket to allow the pin to come out, though.

 

[sbslider]

Interesting problem that I don't think we have seen before.

Lucky me! I would have imagined with all the Roadtreks out there someone would have had this . . . .

You might be able to get it out by using a small C clamp and a small socket to allow the pin to come out, though.

Fantastic idea! after trying some penetrating oil for awhile I'll see if I can give this a shot, thanks!

I'll elaborate after I have tried this. removing the existing assembly requires removing the trim (maybe wrong word) on the back door to begin to access the screws on the door. Out of focus, but the door side has the screw head access from underneath.

 

[sbslider]

I'll elaborate after I have tried this.

Wow, way harder than I imagined it would be. I used various materials to try and free the stuck pin, and several ways to press it out. I imagine the lube helped, but I did end up tapping on the pin with a 1/8" hex key, very gently for quite some time. Eventually I transitioned to a rubber mallet instead of a hammer, and got the bugger loose.



More tapping finally freed the hardware on the window. The reason for the loose attachment of the latch to the window is a rotted washer, or bushing as it's called on eBay. Glad I waited to purchase anything until I got this apart, as it turns out there's a bushing on both sides of the window (makes total sense). The bushing takes up the space between the window and the mounting hardware on both sides, and protects the glass from a hard object. In the picture in the OP I posted sort of shows the space between the window and the hardware.

The inside bushing is still serviceable, and probably would be for some time, but I'll replace them both. I can see the bushings on the other rear window are beginning to give way, but they do still have some life left in them.

 

[ChicagoTom]

On my Chevy PleasureWay, it states to not open the back windows. Curious if Roadtrek says the same thing. Some sort of a safety thing. I've never opened mine and don't plan on it. (2008/09) Stays cool enough with just the side windows cracked.

 

[sbslider]

Sort of weird to have a window that can open and be told to never open it.

 

[booster]

Sort of weird to have a window that can open and be told to never open it.

Roadtrek screws them shut so they can't open. Many of us have taken the screws out. We rarely open ours as they have no screens.

They are worried about people opening them while driving and getting exhaust into the van, I am pretty sure. Actually, it is surprising that GM will put them on the rear.

 

[ChicagoTom]

I think you're half right. I was told, and it makes sense, that due to the generator exhaust and the hot water tank , both toward the rear windows, that's the reason they are screwed shut.

 

[youngnretired]

I don't know how much it has to do with the water heater exhaust and generator exhaust. On our RT 210, the generator exhaust us right below the operable side window with the water heater being about half way between the wheel wells, and closer to the rear side windows than the rears.

 

[booster]

I don't know how much it has to do with the water heater exhaust and generator exhaust. On our RT 210, the generator exhaust us right below the operable side window with the water heater being about half way between the wheel wells, and closer to the rear side windows than the rears.

I don't get that either. The rear window thing normally is because of the vehicle exhaust that is on the side of the van but gets sucked into the vortex behind it at speed. Station wagons gassed quite few people when they left the rear window open or rolled down in the tailgate. Cars spewed much more CO back then besides. SUVs and hatchbacks also have the same warnings about driving with the hatch open.

 

[ChicagoTom]

I'm just relaying what PleasureWay said, and I do believe that's the reason, along with the fact that it's an RV. Also keep in mind that the Fantastic Fan sucks in the outside air coming via any open windows, so any exhaust near the windows, even if it's a few feet away, could cause a health issue. Why else would they have them screwed shut? If you look at just a regular cargo van with the same windows, they are not screwed shut.

 

[sbslider]

Roadtrek screws them shut so they can't open. Many of us have taken the screws out. We rarely open ours as they have no screens.

I didn't see any evidence of the rear windows being screwed shut. Maybe someone before me removed that evidence?

 

[booster]

Probably what happened. The screw was kind of under the handle but I took ours our many years ago so not sure exactly where. A recent thread went through it all and the poster put up pix, though.

 

[sbslider]

Repair complete. Both rear windows have new bushing sets. Putting the pin back in much easier than removing. Good for another 20 years . . . . rear windows closed while driving.

 

[TX-Trek]

Thanks for posting the replacement. So far no issues but I'm tempted to get a spare...
I looked at our 2010 210P and no evidence of any past retaining screws.