Girard Nova arm replacement (how to remove the drive pin?)

[rvfoo]

Hello all ...

I'm in the process of replacing the arms on my forward Nova awning. I have already ordered and received the arms from Girard. It turns out the arms did not come with the "arm connecting plate", which is the piece that connects the arm to the bracket that is attached to the cassette on the bus side. I've been playing tag with Girard and so far they've said that I need to pound out the drive pin and move the connecting plate to the new arm.

Try as I may, I can't seem to get the pin to budge.

Has anyone else been through this and have any tips or tricks for getting this pin out?

Thanks!
- Bennett

[rvfoo]

For those with the same problem that find this thread ...

I managed to get the drive pin out. We're expecting some rain so it will probably be a day or two before I start back up. I'll take pictures then but try to explain it now.

Before, I was using a pin punch to try drive it out but only succeeded in pushing the arm connecting plate itself in the direction I was pounding.

The pin is installed top-down so it needs to be pounded out from the bottom-up (e.g. turn the arm over)

I also folded the connecting plate to it's full 90-degree position so I could get a portable vise around it and the arm. This kept the entire assembly in one position so only the pin would move.

Next, I sprayed the hing with liquid wrench (it's all I had at the time) and pounded away.

Once the arm and plate were immobilized, the pin finally started to move and eventually came out.

[Bobby Dowdle]

You need to be careful as you can really damage your coach or yourself. The arm needs to be pulled together and you need an assistant to hold up the arm while you try to maneuver it out of the bracket. The arms have a spring inside them and can push off the ladder. I would verify your bracket from the old arm is straight before you pull the arm. We usually use 4 guys for something like to this make it safer.