Carefree awning wont latch

[fxdave]

my awning is a spirit model and it doesn't always retract to the locked position there fore im always putting Velcro straps to hold it while driving called care free they say i need to tighten the spring ive been trying to get my end caps of to tighten no luck yet mainly ive been worried they say use visegrips to hold it well it has to be a big pair then imo also when removing the front cap did you have to disconnect the locking mechanism ? carefree says no ! but i know the girls im talikng to have never doe the job before either !
also do you take the ends off when it was rolled in or out ? i have the spirit model !i figure there has to be some body that has tackled this before also any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

[bldrbob]

When I helped my cousin tighten his awning we disassembled part of the arm and rotated it instead of trying vicegrips.
BOB

[fxdave]

please explain in more detail are you saying remove legs out then wind? you did it when it was out then ? did it work well ?

[bldrbob]

We extended the awning and set it on a ladder.Then disconnected the leg from the motorhome and removed the lower section and top spreader.That left a 4'lever to wind the spring.
BOB

[fxdave]

thanks bob ! did it help when u did this ? how many turns did you do ? as i think about it you would think that carefree would tell you to do that versus pulling the end off ! makes more sense and a lot more safer ! i hope that thats what i need they said to go in like 2 more turns each side ! does it just come apart ?

[RVhauler]

2 turns would probably be sufficent. Keep in mind what ever method you use to be careful that the tool/awning arm does not get away from you. I use a 2 foot breaker bar and a tool I welded from a socket wrench. Not as much problem as using the awning arm but for a first timer the arm method is probably safer. If you over tighten the spring it could break and then you have to replace the whole spring end assy. $$$.

[fxdave]

what im having a problem with is taking the ends off without having the right tool it makes you a little nervous yanking it off

[bldrbob]

When you say ends what are you trying to remove?The ends hold the spring tension.The one I was working on they were pop riveted in place.The tension in the wound spring can do serious damage if not controlled.
BOB

[bldrbob]

I just googled carefree awning repair and found a site with a catalog blowup showing what you are dealing with.I think it was PPL .
BOB

[fxdave]

the ends im talking about have just the 1 screw in them that holds it in place