Front window rock guard arms

[Vern]

My Windjammer has two front windows (one on each side of the “V” nose). Each window has a separate rock guard on the exterior.

The rock guards each operate on two aluminum sliding extension arms with wing nuts to tighten when in the “open” position. Sorry I don't have photos. I assume other TTs have similar rock guards with aluminum arms.

My question is what lubricant or other maintenance anyone has found helpful to keep these arms sliding smoothly? The arms have intermittently become uncooperative, requiring a fair amount of force to close, which has to be done very carefully to avoid the risk of bending or breaking something.

[youroo]

Lee,if the arms have worked (Well?) for a time and now binding I would think (Dirt/sand in track or to much torque on wing nuts have distorted the area around the (Bolt/wingnut)? Mine (Have/still) work fine.I use (NO) lube in the track slides at all! Youroo!!

[mkillora]

I lubricate the arms with white grease. Works well.

[Vern]

youroo - I thought the same thing about dirt, etc. Unfortunately, I don't see how the arms can come apart to clean them out. The binding of the arms (working poorly) comes and goes a little, so I don't think it is the nut/bolt being distorted.

mkillora - I had not thought of that option. I have used a little all purpose oil, but it seems any oily or greasy lube one uses could aid in the collection/trapping of dirt or sand and make matters worse over the long haul (see youroo's thoughts above). I don't know much about aluminum and was wondering if some special lube was indicated.

[mkillora]

In my opinion a little grease on the arms is better than none at all. I learned this the hard way. The arms on my rock guard were sticking, to the point that one day the pivot point pulled out from the aluminum window frame. (It was riveted to the frame, going thru the plastic spacer.) Had to get the dealer to fix it. Now I make sure that it is lubed. There's not much dirt to get on it as the arms are only exposed when you're camped.

[Vern]

mkillora - That makes sense to me. I actually use white lithium grease on my scissor jacks (which are obviously more exposed to dirt, etc.) and don't recall ever noticing any buildup there. I think I'll give it a shot next time out.

[Vern]

Update - the problems I was experiencing with the friction on that arm were the result of newbie operator error by yours truly (from a couple of years ago). The service manager at my dealer explained that over-tightening the wing nuts on the arm adjustment can do some damage. Fortunately, I only goofed up one of the four arms. He fixed me up and now we're working "smoothly" again. Problem solved.