Is this something that can be at least postponed by lubing the bushes?
 It would be a little tricky to not get the canvas dirty.

On 4/22/09, Zoltan <thewestyman@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
> I am noticing more and more the failure of the pop-top lifing mechanism.  It
> appears when one side jumps out of place and the whole thing stops working
> as it should.  And if you force it, you may break the fibre glass top on
> that side.
> What happens is; the mechanism is actually destructing itself.  I think, it
> is a bad design for lasting forever.  It is fixable but not in an easy way.
> I think, one has to cut a piece that fits into the tube, to replace the part
> that was cut off, welded on and after the opposite piece is slightly
> enlarged, slide over a bushing that would act as a roller with some grease
> under it.
> Fortunately I have a friend who has a lathe where I can make these items.
> The othe side that was not cut off yet, has a deep groove in it, ready to be
> cut anytime.  That needs to welded up.
> One has to take off the whole thing, except the bottom hinge that is bolted
> to the body.  Rather undo the spring washer that secures the pin into
> position.  The spring loaded legs must be tightened together to avoid
> jumping open, to have an easier disassembly.
> Doing it with a roller as I described, would lengthen the life much longer,
> probably forever in Vanagon years.
>
> This will be necessary to all the campers in time coming, as it is a self
> destructing action.  Those that are not broken yet, might be fixed without
> much welding up of the groove and have that bushing slid on them after the
> opposite item is enlarged enough to accomodate it.
> Zoltan
>

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Chris S.
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