Folding sofa problem, missing bolts

[david_reaves]

I have a 2015 Windjammer 3001W. We have the folding sofa (really about loveseat size). Initially, we were having issues keeping the sofa closed, but finally learned the trick of lifting the front edge to lock down. The drawer continued to slide open-- but I solved that with a webbing strap and a couple of screw-on snaps on one corner.

The problem now is that during the past 4 years of cross-country travel some bolts have worked their way out of the frame (and are lost). The sofa no longer locks at all. For the past 3000 miles I've held the sofa held closed with a ratcheting tie-down strap. My wife has decreed that is no longer acceptable, so I have to fix before our June trip.

Any suggestions on where to start or how to identify the correct repair process without completely removing the sofa? Thanks for any comments

[david_reaves]

Turned out this wasn't as hard as I expected. There are brackets on each side in the back of the sofa that hold the part of the frame that moves up and down. Those brackets have anchors/inserts in the side for 1/4-20 bolts. On one side the bolts were gone, and the bracket and the sofa back were just drifting around (which is why it wouldn't lock closed). On the other side, the bolts were loose.

To remove the back it was necessary to pull the cotter pins and remove the clevis pins. Then I could remount the one bracket and resecure the other. On the side that hadn't come loose, there were no lock washers-- so I expect there weren't on the other side either.

I replaced with new stainless 1/4-20 bolts, adding lock washers AND blue Loctite. Hopefully the sofa will stay in one piece for a while. After the repair, there was no problem in having the sofa lock into place. A road test will give the final verdict.

I didn't take a picture before taking out the back. These show the brackets and clevis pin.