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Old 09-21-2019, 04:35 PM   #1
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Entry door friction hinge binding.

We have a 2018 Rockwood 2604ws. Our rear entry door has suddenly started chattering and binding at the upper friction hinge. I have tried lubricating it but it has not helped. I have searched the forum and googled and have not found alot if info on the subject. I am going to contact our selling dealer Monday but was looking for any advise here on the forums on a way to fix this myself.
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Old 09-21-2019, 04:43 PM   #2
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Please post what you find out. Ours is doing the same.
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Old 09-21-2019, 05:13 PM   #3
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I've had similar issues with a different hinge but found I could solve this "chattering" by making sure all screws fastening both sides of the hinge are snug.

If a hinge is loose at it's fastening points it will flex first then move, flex, move, and sometimes give the feel of chattering.

Regardless, screws should be tight and if any are loose it's a good idea to tighten even if it doesn't fix the issue.

FWIW, this hinge is difficult to lube due to the close fit of all the pieces. Over the years I've had to modify tight hinges by drilling a small hole through the part that wraps around the center pin. Not into the pin but just through the outer "shell" and only large enough to get some thin lube (spray) into the pin area.
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Old 09-21-2019, 05:30 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TitanMike View Post
I've had similar issues with a different hinge but found I could solve this "chattering" by making sure all screws fastening both sides of the hinge are snug.

If a hinge is loose at it's fastening points it will flex first then move, flex, move, and sometimes give the feel of chattering.

Regardless, screws should be tight and if any are loose it's a good idea to tighten even if it doesn't fix the issue.

FWIW, this hinge is difficult to lube due to the close fit of all the pieces. Over the years I've had to modify tight hinges by drilling a small hole through the part that wraps around the center pin. Not into the pin but just through the outer "shell" and only large enough to get some thin lube (spray) into the pin area.
I have tightened some of the screws but maybe not all of them.... I will try drilling a small hole for lubing and try that! Thanks.
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Old 09-21-2019, 05:58 PM   #5
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I have tightened some of the screws but maybe not all of them.... I will try drilling a small hole for lubing and try that! Thanks.
Just make it small so the hinge body isn't weakened. Just enough to get the spray nozzle "hose" over so your spray lube has a path to the "innards".
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Old 09-22-2019, 10:41 AM   #6
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Well I went out to check on the door and low and behold it is not binding or making any noise. The only thing I can think of is yesterday it was hot 88* and the sun beating down on the door. Today its rainy and much cooler.
I am happy but concerned that these "friction hinges" are very temperamental to weather conditions or ours are starting to wear out and under certain weather conditions they bind.
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Old 09-22-2019, 12:12 PM   #7
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I am not sure, but I think parts of it are aluminum. Aluminum is so soft it could be galling. We sell anti seize for fittings that gall easily...one has nickel it it.

When I first got my 5er(October 16) the door was stiff. I lubed and fretted over it.... sometime later I was informed about the friction hinges...maybe not the best idea.
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Old 09-22-2019, 01:11 PM   #8
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Well I went out to check on the door and low and behold it is not binding or making any noise. The only thing I can think of is yesterday it was hot 88* and the sun beating down on the door. Today its rainy and much cooler.
I am happy but concerned that these "friction hinges" are very temperamental to weather conditions or ours are starting to wear out and under certain weather conditions they bind.
Could be temp or just that the Lube you put on earlier just finally crept in where it could help.

My suggestion---- frequent camping trips now that it's working good. Don't let it stiffen up[emoji41][emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]
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Old 09-22-2019, 01:48 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Freedom1955 View Post
We have a 2018 Rockwood 2604ws. Our rear entry door has suddenly started chattering and binding at the upper friction hinge. I have tried lubricating it but it has not helped. I have searched the forum and googled and have not found alot if info on the subject. I am going to contact our selling dealer Monday but was looking for any advise here on the forums on a way to fix this myself.
WD40 loosened mine.
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Old 09-22-2019, 04:07 PM   #10
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had my lower hinge on our 2012 Signature Ultralite binding like crazy. Tried 3 different lubes to no avail. Finally had a dealer order a new hinge from Forest River. over $100 Canadian. Easy to change. Drilled out rivets and used pan head sheet metal screws to attach hinge.
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Old 09-22-2019, 08:46 PM   #11
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Could be temp or just that the Lube you put on earlier just finally crept in where it could help.

My suggestion---- frequent camping trips now that it's working good. Don't let it stiffen up[emoji41][emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]
My experience is that they are affected by temperature and they need to be lubed.
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Old 09-23-2019, 07:09 AM   #12
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Friction hinge , ugg

Our 2018 Palomino Real Lite RL 181 has the " new " friction hinge of which I really dislike. The hinge binds, chatters and pops when moved, I finally took a flat nose punch ( not a center ) and slightly moved the hinge pins up and then down when drenched in penetrating oil. It helped a lot. I really do not like the hinge.
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Old 09-23-2019, 07:24 AM   #13
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I’m not a fan of the friction hinge either. Our early-2019 Rockwood Signature 5er has the Dexter friction hinge door and it binds in hot weather, too. It didn’t help that the factory installed the door incorrectly and the frame wasn’t square. I’d rather have the older style door without the friction hinge and that circular thingy that unlatches the screen door.
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Old 09-23-2019, 08:37 PM   #14
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If you watch all the metal flexing as it opens and closes....it will scare you.
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Old 09-23-2019, 09:22 PM   #15
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If you watch all the metal flexing as it opens and closes....it will scare you.
Just think how scared one could be if they could see how much metal springs under our vehicles flexes.
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Old 09-23-2019, 09:33 PM   #16
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I used a pry bar, from Harbor Freight, to reduce the pressure on the hinge. It still sort of holds it's position but I added a door strut to latch it open. Even when I could hardly open the door, the wind still blew it anyway. I am NOT a fan of the friction hinge! :-(
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Old 09-24-2019, 10:08 AM   #17
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Hate those hinges. LCI sells replacement hinges that are not friction type. You could always go that route.
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Old 09-24-2019, 03:05 PM   #18
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Well the door is chattering/binding again. I drilled a small hole in the hinge and tried squirting some various silicone's and oils in it. I've applied so much that I'm getting a small puddle on the ground below... It stops for a few hours and then the noise comes back.

I called the Dealer and they want me to bring it to them to "look" at it which we will after this last camping trip. I also called Forest River and was told my unit is out of warranty and that the entire door needs to be replaced . I really do not want to do that.
I'm not sure who the manufacturer of the hinge is but am posting a pic of it. Not sure why the pic came out sideways also the it is the upper hinge.
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Old 09-24-2019, 03:17 PM   #19
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My brother's Flagstaff friction hinge completely busted the door frame/screws from it binding too tightly. Whomever came up with that idea never went camping.
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Old 09-24-2019, 04:19 PM   #20
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See post 17. The fix is simple. I saw the flexing door frame like you all have. It took two hands to open the door. It drove me nuts. I ordered two non friction hinges from LCI, replaced the upper and lower ones, and left the center alone; just enough friction to keep the door from swinging out of control, but enough that it was easy to open and close the door. Done. It was easy.
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