Manual Domestic 8500 Awning-lock lever frozen?

[suzea1]

Bought a used RV , trying to clean awning but can't deploy it due to lock
lever at top that seems to be frozen. Sprayed with Liquid Wrench (dry lubricant). Afraid to apply too much pressure.

Any ideas?

Also, all videos watched imply the pull should be in the middle of the awning. This pull was wrapped around the right side, near the lock lever. If the lock lever issue gets resolved, how could the awning get pulled down?

Thanks,

Suz-A

[RV Wizard]

Hello and We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I am sure you will enjoy our website and forums. Good luck, stay safe and keep us posted.

Sounds like the ratchet assembly may be broken and will need replacing if so. Once repaired the strap will wind up on the tube with the fabric.

[Waiter21]

I bought my "new-to-me" Mirada two years ago. Mine was very hard to release also, I really though I would break the ratchet arm if I pulled it any harder. The tube may be jamming the lock ratchet mechanism internally. This is how I got mine to finally release.

Climb up on a ladder, with one hand, try and twist the big tube like your rolling up the awning, This may take the pressure off of the locking ratchet paw (the release lever). At the same time, see if you can then move the lock lever to the down position.

Mine was very hard to operate, When I replaced my awning fabric, I put a little grease on the internal ratchet, bearings, and the ratchet paw. It now operates easy.

The pull strap slides in one of the grooves. Once you have the awning pulled down, you'll be able to slide the strap toward the center.

This is when I replaced my fabric

http://www.2001mirada.com/replace-awning-fabric/

This should be the awning manual:

http://2001mirada.com/DOWNLOAD/Dometic%20Awning.pdf

[suzea1]

Originally Posted by RV Wizard

Hello and We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I am sure you will enjoy our website and forums. Good luck, stay safe and keep us posted.

Sounds like the ratchet assembly may be broken and will need replacing if so. Once repaired the strap will wind up on the tube with the fabric.

Many thanks for cuing me check for responses. Got another one, too. Will follow up on both suggestions.

.

[suzea1]

Originally Posted by Waiter21

I bought my "new-to-me" Mirada two years ago. Mine was very hard to release also, I really though I would break the ratchet arm if I pulled it any harder. The tube may be jamming the lock ratchet mechanism internally. This is how I got mine to finally release.

Climb up on a ladder, with one hand, try and twist the big tube like your rolling up the awning, This may take the pressure off of the locking ratchet paw (the release lever). At the same time, see if you can then move the lock lever to the down position.

Mine was very hard to operate, When I replaced my awning fabric, I put a little grease on the internal ratchet, bearings, and the ratchet paw. It now operates easy.

The pull strap slides in one of the grooves. Once you have the awning pulled down, you'll be able to slide the strap toward the center.

This is when I replaced my fabric

Replace awning fabric | 2001 Coachmen Mirada 300QB

This should be the awning manual:

http://2001mirada.com/DOWNLOAD/Dometic%20Awning.pdf

Crossing my fingers that this works for me, too. Sounds simple enough, just a bit a strength and patience. Sounds great!

Much appreciated.

Suz-A

[4x4van]

As Waiter 21 says, try taking some of the pressure off the latch. Rotating the awning the opposite direction that you want it to go will take the pressure off and allow the lever to turn (if it's not broken internally). Same thing when you go to roll the awning up; rotate the tube slightly down to make the lever easy to operate. Think about turning your steering wheel in the car to get the ignition lock to release; same theory.