Lunar venus rear grab handles!

[Richard Avensis]

Hi , please can anyone help . I have removed the nuts and washers inside the shower cabinet and beside the toilet, but still can't remove the grab handles from outside . I am repairing the bathroom and need to remove the handles .

 

[otherclive]

Could they have sealant which is resisting removal. Dental floss or fine fishing line could be used to cut into it.

 

[Buckman]

Could they have sealant which is resisting removal. Dental floss or fine fishing line could be used to cut into it.

I am fairly sure that a sealant is used and it is a very strong bond. We sadly had a couple of Lunars.

 

[Raywood]

It probably is the sealant so follow otherclive's advice.

 

[Richard Avensis]

Thanks ya all for the advice .Will keep you post

 

[Mr Plodd]

I suspect its probably an adhesive rather than sealant. The handles are there so you can manhandle a tonne and a bit of caravan around using them , so tje weedy screws/bolts that are used would pull out without the added assistance of an adhesive.

 

[arossco]

I am fairly sure that a sealant is used and it is a very strong bond. We sadly had a couple of Lunars.

Is that sadly as in fond memories of them, or the opposite ?

 

[toad a caravan]

Is there now a short piece of thread showing from where the nuts and washers removed?

 

[GaryB]

Try using a thin bit of wire to "saw" through the adhesive behind the handles (a bit like using cheese wire) to cut through the bond, don't be tempted to lever them away as it might damage the panel. I use a length of MIG welding wire for this but a thin strand taken from a length of stranded wire will also do the job, as will possibly fishing line etc.

 

[Richard Avensis]

Thanks very much for all the replies. This is our first caravan and unfortunately we where well and truly had by the seller . , but none the less I am determined to to fix it and enjoy it ..

 

[Hutch]

I must admit the front moving handles on our Coachman do not look strong enough to man/ woman handle the van but with 10mm boots and large penny washers , it all works.
Good luck with the repairs

 

[toad a caravan]

I must admit the front moving handles on our Coachman do not look strong enough to man/ woman handle the van but with 10mm boots and large penny washers , it all works.
Good luck with the repairs

10mm nuts 10 mm bolts?

 

[toad a caravan]

IE thread size 6mm or 10mm

 

[Hutch]

IE thread size 6mm or 10mm

6mm, I removed the threaded inserts and replaced with larger "Bolts" 10mm heads. To fit 10 mm spanners and sockets. With larger diameter washers.

 

[toad a caravan]

Mine were 6mm threaded bar rusted down to 2mm to 3mm ..replaced with stainless steel... considering what they are used for I'm surprised that a larger size wasn't used originally.👌

 

[Hutch]

If I remember correctly, the studs were threaded into Brass inserts, into the handles. The weakest point were the rubber washers on the outside, I replaced them with nylon washers and a seal of silicon.

 

[toad a caravan]

Good idea,rubber tends tends to perish even more so if we ever get any sun

 

[Richard Avensis]

Thanks very much for all your help .Will try at the weekend..cheers !

 

[toad a caravan]

Good luck take your time ,,Gary

 

[Hutch]

Thanks very much for all your help .Will try at the weekend..cheers !

And put a spring washer on the end of the Blot or Nut, to avoid vibration release.

 

[Richard Avensis]

HI, eventually got the rear grab handles removed . You have to remove the rear light / bumper panel . This is because the threaded bar that screws into the handles is held inside the panel with two nuts locked up together . What I found behind the panel was another chapter of this horror story . Details are on my Lunars poor design post .
Thanks again to all those who offered help.