American Coach: 2000 American Eagle - fuel doors

[Dale70]

Both fuel doors on my 2000 American Eagle (soon to be for sale) come totally free from the motorhome when opened. I assume the hinges are just worn?

Any ideas what can be done to fix them?

Crimp them somewhere?


thanks Dale

[Gary RVRoamer]

A photo would help us understand where it came apart. Door came off hinge, hinge detached from the filler body, etc. Presumably it's a fiberglass door, but is the hinge metal? If so, the two were probably glued together rather than crimped or welded.

[Dale70]

Here is one of the fuel doors -- the other does the same thing. but maybe less frequently. The door is aluminum and the track seems to be aluminum attached to it.

One concern is if I just crimp it not attached it will not go back on.

thx Dale
'

[Tha_Rooster]

They should lock in the same way your bay doors do.

[Dale70]

If they "lock" into place what is missing / worn ????

thx Dale

[mackwrench]

Originally Posted by Dale70

Here is one of the fuel doors -- the other does the same thing. but maybe less frequently. The door is aluminum and the track seems to be aluminum attached to it.

One concern is if I just crimp it not attached it will not go back on.

thx Dale
'

Dale, remove the Phillips screw that's just above the fuel door, in the "hinge" area.
Then open the bay door just to the side of fuel door, use a short block of wood that will keep door from completely closing, something that'll hold door open for 3 or 4 inches. This will allow the fuel door to slide into the track that it hinges on.

You then recrimp or adjust the roll lip on the door, and slide it back in. Probably best to remove the door completely and work on it at a table rather than risk skinning it up....

The Phillips screw you removed is what keeps it from moving fore or aft.... reinstall it, and poof your a magician!
Peace!
Todd

[Dale70]

I will look at that tomorrow Todd. Not sure how one hinge comes out with the next one in place but that is obviously the trick.

I go next week to pick up the 2007 Tiffin Allegro Bus we bought. It is in upper west Tenn, so two days each way from me. It has four slides, which my wife wanted, a Cummins ISL, side radiator, independent front suspension, front disc brakes and a few other newer things. We will see.

I have been geting the 2000 Eagle ready for sale and am almost there. Three new tires. a new rear AC, changed trans fluid, fixed front step and a few other small things. Almost there.

take care -- Dale

[mackwrench]

With the bay door partly open, the fuel door will slide out...or in your case slide back in. Hopefully these pics help

[Meames1]

Mack has it. Just a note, the little screw threads into a plastic block that will need to come out before you can slide the door back into it's hinge. After the door is back in place and centered, reinstall the plastic block and thread the screw in, don't worry if you can't align the original hole just let the screw cut new threads. That block and screw holds the door centered as Mackwrench stated.

[Dale70]

well that tactic works for the passenger side where there is a compartment adjacent. Unfortunately it does not work on the driver side. I will investigate more there. Any more thoughts????? thx Dale

PS _--- If someone tells me how to rotate the image I will

[Meames1]

Originally Posted by Dale70

well that tactic works for the passenger side where there is a compartment adjacent. Unfortunately it does not work on the driver side. I will investigate more there. Any more thoughts????? thx Dale

Dale, remove the small screw and the plastic block. Unhook the lift support. When you open the door to a specific angle the hinge will release, I believe it's around 50 degrees. Note: it's less than fully open. You can tell by pushing back against the hinge while opening slowly, once it gets to the release spot the door will move back into the hinge. Once you get it off, be careful on how much you crimp the hinge as you'll have to reverse the sequence to reinstall. If you make it too tight, you'll have trouble getting it back on. Then remember to recenter and reinstall plastic block and screw.


Also, I'm curious as to how worn you fuel door supports are ? The reason I say this is because when the doors with this style hinge open they travel considerably past the hinge release point making them locked into the hinge while open. I wonder if your supports are worn enough that the "stopping" point of the door ends up right at the hinge release angle causing them to fall out of the hings as you're seeing. If any of that makes sense. Just a thought, Good Luck !

[Dale70]

Meames1 === Your analysis seems correct about the stopping point being where the door slides out. The gas struts are probably long gone and causing the door to be at that point.
I will carefully try your method in a day or so.

thx Dale

[mg2016]

I think the earlier poster had it spot on. Your doors are stopping at the release point. Replace the struts and that should resolve issue. Had similar problem on my 2000 and simply replaced the struts problem solved. Hopefully you can get them from REV

[mackwrench]

Dale, here's the fuel door "gas springs"


https://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Gas-S.../dp/B00A8OFSC8