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jpjulian · 11-10-2016, 03:01 PM

We had to repair the fold-down counter top again. This time the screws holding the counter to the piano hinge ripped clean through the hinge. The hinge was bent again and washers were used to shim the counter to level it. We now have at least double the number of screws the factory used to secure the hinge and counter.

Has anyone else suffered this problem? What was your fix? This is a rather heavy counter and should be secured somehow during travel. Is there a fix for that? I've tried duct tape as a field expedient but that isn't the answer.

Thanks for looking.

Joe

rockintom · 11-10-2016, 08:41 PM

Joe, sorry to hear about your problem. It would be helpful to see some pix showing your issue. What year is your IKE? Have to ask if there have been children in your rig as they love to hang on the counter ends for some reason. On my old Excel we had a short end counter that I had to repair> I replace the piano hinge and added more screws too. Seems I had to do something to the wooden arm support that pivots out when the counter is extended. Forget the details right now. Please add the rig info to your signature. rockin'

PS I see you are from Waukegan. My Dad's family are from there. Many relatives buried in the Gurnee cemetery. My Great Grandparents settled the area around Gray's Lake. Small world.

jpjulian · 11-11-2016, 07:43 AM

Our 31IKE is a 2014 model. Pics are always nice, but, one has to have the ability to do so and at the moment I don't. I'd say the issue is a flimsy hinge, too short and not enough screws to hold a counter weighing ~15# in the folded position. All that weight hanging on a 1/2" screw and aluminum hinge. Support of the folded counter just isn't there except for the short screws and all that weight is bouncing around while we're going down the highway. It's fixed now but we're parked for awhile before we head north again and encounter the same bumpy roads and possibly another detached counter.

Joe

jpjulian · 11-11-2016, 08:28 AM

Let's try this........ As you can see, the hinge is bent and holes ripped through. This is a 12" long piece of counter and when in the folded position there is no support. I've tried keeping the counter in the upright position while towing but that didn't work either. And with the kitchen slide in there is no access to the frig.

Joe