Community Forums

Azman · 08-24-2021, 02:11 PM

One of the features I love about my 06 Apex is the front multi-section surround shade. I've had issues with it not going up and down correctly lately so I replaced the wall switches. It now works but it goes up and down unevenly.

Does anyone have any experience with repairing or servicing this shade? Who made it? How to adjust the stops (if there are any)?

Any help is appreciated.

Kevin & Kim
06 Alpine Apex 40FDQS
99 Range Rover 4.0 SE

Jeff and Cheryl · 08-24-2021, 03:50 PM

Manufactured by MCD Innovations. MCD dealers may be willing to coach you through the process. Also there is Customer Svs at MCD (anyway i think they stlll have customer service).

Dudley do-right · 08-26-2021, 09:51 AM

we also have an '06 Apex, and from time to time have had problems with these shades, always ending up being a problem with various little screws in the "scissor" joints coming out. this will make them go crooked when powering them either way. look at the mechanism closely when they are down and watch for missing screws. we've always found them lying around somewhere close by under the affected shade. this is a simple fix. Hope this helps.
Dudley Do-Right '06 Alpine Apex 40 MDTS

Ed & Diane · 08-28-2021, 12:07 AM

Our surround blind died many years ago. It was coming down unevenly and failed to spool up evenly when powered up.

I believe the failure of our surround blind was caused by the blind coming down and resting on the high parts of the dash, and the blind continuing to power down and creating slack in some of the cords. This allowed the loose cord to jump the end of the spool, and when powered up, the cord wrapped around the drive shaft. (There should be spool covers on each one). This would create the uneven spooling of different cords. It is important that all the cords have the even tension on them.

There is a limit switch next to the motor. There should be some adjustment there. The drive shaft is a series of square rods. You may want to check if these are fully seated, or rounded at the ends going into the socket.

I retrieved ours from the dealer that removed it, and it's 'hanging' around our garage. One of the plastic covers for one of the cord spools is missing. With the blind removed and a 12 volt power source, it is easy to see how it spools up and where any cord defects are. I did not have any issue with screws coming out.

I believe our blind is labeled Carefree of Colorado. They do not support service or parts for these blinds. They did a limited production run for the Apex's, and with the high number of Apex failures, decided to not do any further production. And the design engineer moved on.

I am glad to hear that some of these are still functioning.

Azman · 09-14-2021, 12:40 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies. In my search I was able to confirm Carefree of Colorado made the Surround Shade. Their customer service rep was able to find "the oldest person in the company" and they sent me a copy of the original Surround Shade installation instructions and a letter to WRV saying they had terminated their warranty support. If you are interested in the instructions please send a private message.