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Subject: Sliding Window Channel Replacement

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dadstoy

Not a Newbie
Posts:35

Registered Users

03/31/2008 11:06 PM
Hi All, Every sliding window no longer slides! I want to begin the job of replacing the window channel. I see that there are two suppliers that say they have window channel for the older Airstream motorhomes; Inland and Vintage Trailer Supply. Looking at the photos, I believe the channel that Inland carries is the correct channel. Has anyone else used either of these products? Which one do you think is the correct one? See picts below. Inland also has two other window seals (rubber) and I don't know which one to use! I have also found and read the Airstream Forums article by Chaplian Kent that describes the process. I am wondering if it is really necessary to remove the interior metal trim panel? I suspect that you need that little added clearence that removing the panel is going to give you. http://www.airforums.com/forums/189922-post23.html Can anyone give me any pointers riveting? I have a rivet gun that my dad had. What size drill do I use to drill out these rivets? I don't want to drill the hole any bigger then it currently is. Thanks Dean

COOPERHAWK User is Offline

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Expert
Posts:838

Administrators
East Central Minnesota

04/01/2008 10:28 AM
I have started to do the windows on our 345. It is a slow process and yes, that frame needs to come out. We got our stripping directly from Airstream. Sometimes the windows won't slide because they have been opened to forcibly which bends the end of the slide on the bottom of the window when it hits the stops. The ends bend in and then bind on the rail. Have to be bent back. Open windows slowly and gently.

1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel VFW,Legion, NRA FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor (Retired) http://www.cooperhawk.net mailto:jimcooper@cooperhawk.net "People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets."

elbundi

Not a Newbie
Posts:31

Registered Users
southwest georgia

04/02/2008 10:51 PM
Silicone spray will help them move more freely. To remove each window is kind of tedious as it's not simply drilling out the window frame rivets, usually there's a shelf to remove, a valance or some other object in the way of the frame, but it's very do-able. Fixing windows is much less intimidating than anything mechanical IMHO

argy

Newbie
Posts:3

Registered Users
San Diego

04/04/2008 7:20 PM
I'm a little confused. I did the windows on my 77 Argosy 20. Why do you want to take the fixed window out? There is another thread on Airforums that has the procedure. Essentially, you pull and cut the old fuzzy channel out from one side, then slide the screen into the empty opening and pull the rest of the channel out. Although you have to do a lot of trial and error the screen will come up and out without bending it. The same procedure works with the glass slider. Putting the new channel back in is the reverse. I used some silicon lubricant to slide in the last of the fuzzy stuff so it goes beyond the corner of the window and doesn't crumple the channel. I used Inland and they provided the outside rubber. They know the lengths you need. The perimeter seal is easy. It presses right in. The vertical seal is different. It's more of a pita. I finally took my Dremel and enlarged a slot about two inches from the bottom and threaded it up and then with a loop in it worked the remainder down to the bottom. Try that search function again. You may save your yourself some work and aggravation. The materials aren't cheap--try working the silicon suggestion above first. Good Luck!

Keith Talmadge 77 Argosy 20

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Posts:838

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East Central Minnesota

04/05/2008 9:46 AM
Posted By argy on 04/04/2008 7:20 PM Why do you want to take the fixed window out? There is another thread on Airforums that has the procedure. I didn't take the fixed window out. Only the slider. You might be referring to the outside frame which surrounds the window. Got the rivets and rivet gun at Home Depot. Not too expensice or difficult.

1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel VFW,Legion, NRA FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor (Retired) http://www.cooperhawk.net mailto:jimcooper@cooperhawk.net "People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets."

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Forums > Airstream > Care & Maintenance > Sliding Window Channel Replacement