Community Forums

Juano · 09-10-2021, 12:36 AM

Ok, I was going to open the basement of the Bounder that I'm trying to buy to cut a hole on the floor and change the fuel pump without dropping the leveling jacks and gas tank and I got another problem: 3 compartment/storage doors are not opening

Key is working as I can notice when the latch is closed or open but the doors seems to be glued.

Any idea of what can be happening? I'm starting to regret on this purchase

Tha_Rooster · 09-10-2021, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juano

Ok, I was going to open the basement of the Bounder that I'm trying to buy to cut a hole on the floor and change the fuel pump without dropping the leveling jacks and gas tank and I got another problem: 3 compartment/storage doors are not opening

Key is working as I can notice when the latch is closed or open but the doors seems to be glued.

Any idea of what can be happening? I'm starting to regret on this purchase

I seriously doubt they are glued shut that would be a ton of glue. I don’t know how that one is but most have a plunger that pulls in when handle is pulled. Do they open from the side or pull up from bottom? Pictures might help also.

Juano · 09-10-2021, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

I seriously doubt they are glued shut that would be a ton of glue. I don’t know how that one is but most have a plunger that pulls in when handle is pulled. Do they open from the side or pull up from bottom? Pictures might help also.

Thanks man, I tried to say that they are really hard to open, like it where glued but of course I don't think that PO did that.

What I can say after I checked the doors that are operating normally is that the ones that I can't open the latch doesn't go all the way up, just the half.
They have some bolts on the sides of the door and I was able to pull the one at the left because the rear compartment it's open so I used a flat screwdriver and a hammer and the bolt went in. The problem is that I don't have a compartment on the right side so I can't have access to the other bolt.

I attached some photos, hope it helps.

2TxAgs · 09-11-2021, 01:14 PM

Try putting your knee against the door and pushing it in with as much force as possible while pulling the handle. Might relieve the pressure on the latches and allow them to move back.

Bigd9 · 09-11-2021, 02:24 PM

That is the same door latching mechanism my coach has.

When you push in on the door and try to open the handle what happens? Does the handle open all the way but the "ears" do not retract so the door opens?

Those plastic "ears" or latches are prone to breaking and jamming. If you feel the ear or latch is broken, try to push in on the door near the latch and then pound the door with your fist or palm of the hand. The pounding might vibrate the ear back into the door and then it will open.

If you want to replace those plastic ears or latches, let me know. I have a source of some good aluminum ones guaranteed never to break. I replaced all of mine for much improved opening and closing. Here are a few pics from when I rebuilt mine.

sipNgas · 02-05-2024, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

If you want to replace those plastic ears or latches, let me know. I have a source of some good aluminum ones guaranteed never to break.

Hi Bigd, can you provide your source for the aluminum latches? I have several to replace. Many thanks! Kurt

brutherb · 02-05-2024, 06:55 PM

Hi I had a similar issue the handle was and one of the catches was working but the other is stuck solid, I stuck a long screw driver up from the bottom and pried the latch in on the one that would go in I was able to move the door over enough to get it past the stopper. Mine as well was suezed I tried to put a block of wood against it and hit it with a hammer even that didn’t help. I tried removing the screws on the side and they are siezed in there solid

Bigd9 · 02-06-2024, 11:06 AM

Here is a link to the place where I got my aluminum latches.

https://improvedrvparts.com/improved-parts

sipNgas · 02-07-2024, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

Here is a link to the place where I got my aluminum latches.

Many thanks!

LETMGROW · 02-07-2024, 08:10 AM

Try holding the latch handle up as much as possible and spraying penetrating fluid in, under and around the handle where the fluid can run down into the mechanisms. Let them sit for a while then try opening the compartments again.
I keep mine well lubricated at least a couple times a season.
This might save destroying a door or latch.