Awning removal to change upper slide seal

[Sagecoachdriver]

I was able to easily replace bothe side seals and wipers on my slide out on the not so wide upper seal 6' on my bedroom slide by turning the anti sail arm and securing it to the topper support arm. I the stuck a bucket underneath to provide plenty of access space and climbed in to remove the wiper/base, clean surface and install the new base/wiper.
Now I have to do the upper seal/wiper/base on my dinette slide which is 8' wide, 2' wider than my bedroom slide. Looks like too much to crawl 4' under the topper from each side to do the job. Has anyone removed the topper from the suppport brackets on the front top of the slide to access the upper seals?

[SeaDog]

If you pin the topper so that that the spring does not turn the pole you can unbolt the arms and lay the topper on top of the roof. Hint open the slide a little pin the topper and move the slide back in to give slack in the topper. good luck

[Sagecoachdriver]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

If you pin the topper so that that the spring does not turn the pole you can unbolt the arms and lay the topper on top of the roof. Hint open the slide a little pin the topper and move the slide back in to give slack in the topper. good luck

I don’t know how to secure the awning. If I remove the arms holding it to the front of the slide, won’t it spin even if I put a rod in the awning end?

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver

I don’t know how to secure the awning. If I remove the arms holding it to the front of the slide, won’t it spin even if I put a rod in the awning end?

No. As long as you insert the cotter pin or small philips screwdriver shaft through the slot in the end cap AND through the hole in the shaft. The spring will be held in place. You can then slide the arms out of the brackets as suggested above.

[Sagecoachdriver]

Thanks, I thought the entire end would spin since nothing holding it.

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver

Thanks, I thought the entire end would spin since nothing holding it.

Not if you get the cotter key or other like tool (awl) through BOTH the endcap & shaft you're good to go. If you miss the hole in the shaft, the spring will unwind.

[Sagecoachdriver]

Originally Posted by rracer5

Not if you get the cotter key or other like tool (awl) through BOTH the endcap & shaft you're good to go. If you miss the hole in the shaft, the spring will unwind.

Thanks, will work on it tomorrow afternoon. Will put screwdrivers in both ends and use duct tape to strap them down so they don't fall out.

[Sagecoachdriver]

Had time this afternoon and took the advise to stick a screw driver into the hole at each end to prevent it from rewinding. The screws holding the arm to the rod attched to the slide were broken off and not really securing it to the rod. I flipped up the awning and found the seal was actually ok except for a slight tear at the very end which I repaired with tape. I drilled new holes in the bars for new self tpaing screws and remounted the awning and released the tension. I clean the slide roof and treated the upper seal with conditioner. So all the slide seals and in good shape now. thanks to all!