Storage bay door latch bolt assy-removal

[frederick w]

2000 Fleetwood Flair, Door latch removal:

I removed the inner black plastic cover exposing the
linkage. The panel is filled with hard insulation material.

The door frame dosen't appear to come apart. There
are 4 small screws at each corner. Can't figure out
what they hold inside.

Do I have to dig out the foam so I can pull the latch assy.
thru to the center opening?

Thanks in advance

[ga traveler]

I just finished replacing mine. You have to take off both left and right trim edges from the door. pull the rods out of the foam. take the two bolts out of the latches and replace the latch. There is a company in Fla. that makes metal instead of plastic latches. You have to remove the small screws you were talking about. Do not disturb the foam. I took a putty knife and inserted under the trim on the back side and tapped the trim off with a hammer.

[stuhly]

When I had my 2000 Discovery the way I replaced the latches was to cut a 3 inch square hole in plastic beside the latch, then dig out just enough foam to get to the screws. Replace latch then cut a patch out of light aluminum 1/2 inch bigger than hole.
Drill the patch and plastic in 4 corners. Put tinnerman nuts in corners and screw patch on. The next time you break a latch replacement is easy.

[frederick w]

The edge trim pieces fit so close or tight to the panel that
they look like they are part of the door.

They acutualy come off?

Hope their isn't a bridge of paint between the trim and panel.
Hate to have paint peeling on face of panel upon removal.

Thanks guys

[ga traveler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frederick w The edge trim pieces fit so close or tight to the panel that they look like they are part of the door. They acutualy come off? Hope their isn't a bridge of paint between the trim and panel. Hate to have paint peeling on face of panel upon removal. Thanks guys

The way I described is the factory repair. You might want to take a razor blade and cut the paint where it meets the edge trim. If you go slow and keep the blade in the groove you can do a clean cut. I have done this on other jobs, but didn't feel i needed to do it this time. Please note I said to use the putty knife on the BACK side of the door to keep from scraping the paint.

[JBDISCOVERY]

GA TRAVERER is right. First step is to take the black cover off of the inside to latch handle. Note the position of the small pull rods. Next, remove both the right and left vertical end pieces that the latches are mounted on. First remove the four screws located at the top and bottom of each end pieces. Then, carefully cut between the aluminum end pieces and the paint on the front side of the hatch and the fiberglass panel on the inside of the hatch. I use a sharp box cutter to do this. Wrap the cutter handle with electrical tape so as to not scrape the paint. The end pieces can then be removed with alittle help from a hammer. Soft taps. Replace the latches and reverse the removal steps. I use a silicone adhesive in refitting the end pieces.
Good luck.
JimB