Discovery Main Slide Bushing Replacement

[bob109]

Had a issue with my main slide not wanting to retract on my 2001.5 Discovery. Just completed replacement of the Chassis Batteries which contributed to the problem. After some research I found a great mod which replaces the plastic slide bushings with double sealed ball bearings.

Here's the instructions and parts description for the mod!
DiscoverySalonSlide

I've already purched the bearings and fabicated the aluminum bushings and steel spacers.

Has anyone completed this mod? If so, where you pleased with the results?

[bob109]

Here's a peek at the inner bearing assembly for my Discovery. I slipped the components on my ratchet extension for this pic.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2591/...e3bae32d_z.jpg

Pic of the bearings with bushings installed.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/...56956006_z.jpg

Pipe spacers cut to length.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/...59d01e35_z.jpg

Pic of matrial for Slide Mod.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5238/...ec7a6186_z.jpg

[blackmonb]

Thanks for the information. I ordered the parts and put in the new bearings. It took less than an hour and the slide worked much better. It came in faster and with no problems so far. I used a floorjack and 4x4 piece of lumber to support the slide and take the pressure off the bolts. They came out easy and new ones went right in. McMaster sent the parts withlin two days.

[bob109]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackmonb Thanks for the information. I ordered the parts and put in the new bearings. It took less than an hour and the slide worked much better. It came in faster and with no problems so far. I used a floorjack and 4x4 piece of lumber to support the slide and take the pressure off the bolts. They came out easy and new ones went right in. McMaster sent the parts withlin two days.

Glad to hear you had success installing the mod. I'm about to do mine. Just purchased a 6" x 1/2" dia. bolt. It was the last component I need for the mod.

[ninos]

Do you know if that can be done on the 2006 discovery or is it just on the older models?

[bob109]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninos Do you know if that can be done on the 2006 discovery or is it just on the older models?

Check out the attached info. There are pics of the slide assemblies. If you have the same assemblies the mod should apply!

DiscoverySalonSlide

[bob109]

Finally got off my butt this morning and completed the slide mod. The only change I made to the procedure was to cut the plastic lip from the front roller which eliminated the need to sever the existing 5 1/2" X 1/2" dia. bolt. If you refer to the procedure provided in the previous post, there was a requirement to cut this long bolt in half, for removal of the original plastic rollers, and replace it with a new bolt. After the mod was completed I applied paraffin to both cog rails.
The improvement in slide operation is remarkable. Hitting the key to retract the slide, it hesitated for a second then lifted the inner flush floor edge and proceeded to close smoothly with no drag indicated.
The original plastic rollers showed some signs of wear, but it was minimal. This mod IMHO is surely worth the time and expense.