Front Window Rock Shield Issue

[ksitte]

We've been having some problems with the front window rock shield. If something happens once, I figure it's probably an accident; twice & I start to take notice; 3 times and it's a problem.

Three times now, when raising the rock shield, the dang thing has completely fallen off the upper "hinge." It only happens when trying to raise the shield. When that happens, the 2 support columns separate and it's a heck of a thing to get it back up there, especially while out camping. It's really a two-person fix, one to hold the window (not an easy task) and the other to reconnect the support arms to each other.

Yes, I know, I'm using the term "hinge" rather loosely. It's actually 2 interlocking pieces of metal, one on the window frame and the other on the shield, as if cupping the fingers of both hands together, but it seems as if one set of fingers on our new [March] Escape have arthritis: they no longer grip the other fingers. I can't tell which is the culprit.

There doesn't seem to be any adjustment mechanism on the hinge or window itself, only the support columns. And even the support columns can't be relocated.

Any ideas?

[sclifrickson]

Pictures?

[ksitte]

Originally Posted by sclifrickson

Pictures?

Regrettably, taking pictures will mean re-creating the problem, something I'm not looking forward to, since I'll need to get the shield working again after that. But I'll give it a whirl this evening.

[cpaharley2008]

Are you saying the support arms with the wing nut separate?

[ksitte]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Are you saying the support arms with the wing nut separate?

That is correct, but not until the rock shield itself disengages from the window frame portion of the hinge.

The sequence, from the closed shield to opening, is like this:

• Turn the retaining knobs to the open position
• pull the shield out slightly to disengage the rubber edges from the frame
• Pull out the rock shield and
• Suddenly the shield is in your hands, unsupported

That's when the support arms and wingnut arms separate, making it even more difficult to reassemble.

Make sense? Am I explaining that fully?

[cpaharley2008]

Sounds like the hinge on top has come off, perhaps the rivets have broken?

[cpaharley2008]

I just checked mine, there are 4 rivets on the top that attach the cover to the window frame, can these be seen on your cover or window frame top?

[ksitte]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I just checked mine, there are 4 rivets on the top that attach the cover to the window frame, can these be seen on your cover or window frame top?

I was unable to get to the Escape last night. I'll take some pictures in the next day or 2 to see if that will shed some light on my issue.

Thanks much