Dumb question (probably) about repairing a Coleman Utah stepper door

[labontefan]

Long time, no visit. But y'all are still the best when it comes to getting good advice.

Some time back I asked for some advice on trying to repair the lock on the stepper door on my '02 Coleman/Fleetwood Utah. Several replied that I could probably do it myself and informed me that I would have to drill out the rivets in order to take the door apart to access the lock. That part I understand.

Here's the dumb question...after I get the door apart, how do you put it back together? Can you use something like metal screws? Or do you have to re-rivet it? And if you have to re-rivet it, what do you need to do that with?

I keep meaning to fix the door and always forget about it until I'm ready to take another trip. If I don't get it done before this trip, guess we'll stock up on duct tape again.  :rolleyes:

Thanks!

[wavery]

Long time, no visit. But y'all are still the best when it comes to getting good advice.

Some time back I asked for some advice on trying to repair the lock on the stepper door on my '02 Coleman/Fleetwood Utah. Several replied that I could probably do it myself and informed me that I would have to drill out the rivets in order to take the door apart to access the lock. That part I understand.

Here's the dumb question...after I get the door apart, how do you put it back together? Can you use something like metal screws? Or do you have to re-rivet it? And if you have to re-rivet it, what do you need to do that with?

I keep meaning to fix the door and always forget about it until I'm ready to take another trip. If I don't get it done before this trip, guess we'll stock up on duct tape again.  :rolleyes:

Thanks!

You'll need a pop-rivet gun like this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=7356

They are really easy to use and handy to have. Pop-rivets are better on a PU because they won't come lose or strip like screws do.

[tlhdoc]

A pop rivet tool is under $20.  They are quick and easy to use.  Load the rivet in the tool, put the other end of the rivet in the hole and squeeze the handles on the tool.  Remove the "stem" of the rivet and do it again.  It really is easy to do.

[rccs]

wavery  That is a real good price on a pop rivet tool but I don,t think it will do labontefan much good because it only goes up to 1/8" pop rivets and the stepper door is put together with 3/16" rivets. Just posting this so he knows this and does not get the item you posted but instead a similar one that will take the 3/16" size rivets.

[wavery]

wavery  That is a real good price on a pop rivet tool but I don,t think it will do labontefan much good because it only goes up to 1/8" pop rivets and the stepper door is put together with 3/16" rivets. Just posting this so he knows this and does not get the item you posted but instead a similar one that will take the 3/16" size rivets.

Good catch.....I should've just posted this link:
http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=pop+rivet&Submit=Go

or this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38353

[austinado16]

A couple of fine points about rivet guns and pop rivets.

1) The rivets are available in different diameters, different depths (depending on how thick the piece is that you're assembling, different width heads, and different materials.

2) Rivet washers are availble and you can use regular washers if needed in some applications (this probably isn't something you need on that door).

3) Rivet guns jump as they snap off the stem of the rivet and this usually sends you and the rivet gun back into the surface of what you're riveting.  Because the snapped off stem is still protruding from the rivet gun, this will make a real nice scratch or gouge in the surface of whatever you're fixing.

So pick the right size and material rivet.  In your case, you probably want aluminum rivits with aluminum stems so that they don't rust and streak the side of the camper, and so that they don't take so much force to snap off the stem that they do damage to the camper door material.  When you're using the gun, operate it with one hand up on the head of the gun, with that hand against the surface you're working on.  That way, when the gun jumps, that hand will dampen it's movement and keep you from gouging your rig.

[labontefan]

As usual...lots of good advice from you folks! Thanks a bunch. Hopefully, I'll get the door fixed between now and next spring.  :rolleyes:

Now, I just need to find a good way to get duct tape "goo" off the camper. "Goo-Gone"???

Thanks again!

[rccs]

I would try mineral spirits to get the tape residue off the camper. Goo gone might also take some of the paint off with it.

[wavery]

As usual...lots of good advice from you folks! Thanks a bunch. Hopefully, I'll get the door fixed between now and next spring.  :rolleyes:

Now, I just need to find a good way to get duct tape "goo" off the camper. "Goo-Gone"???

Thanks again!

WD40.....let it sit for a minute then wipe it right off.