Awning clicks but wont retract automatically

Question

Hi all. Newb here. I hope I posted this in the right section. Got a 05 campmaster toy hauler 28ft. with a A&E 8500 awning. I was messing with it one day and the slider assemblys broke so they don't slide well now and come right out of the rail. I will be replacing those. Anyway, I think this caused the awning to lose its tension on the spring? Is that possible, So I am hoping all I have to do is rewind it and I was looking for help. It dose go back if you "walk it back slowly" and it will click. It just doesn't go back with the force like it should. I found this youtube video .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpjXXTEjCkg
When rewinding to add the tension back should I have the locking lever in the roll up position or roll down? Do I need to do both sides one at a time? Thanks

dr_quick · Answer

Having worked on replacing two awning fabrics, repaired a damaged awing by removing the top section and restricting, and replaced a broken catch mechanism/spring I would say this.
I believe that you may have a broken spring, as awing's have a spring at each end. Having worked on awnings I believe that it would be impossible for a spring to just unwind. If one end kind of lags the other, that is probably your problem and the spring that is broke.
When I replaced the broke spring/catch it was a tricky procedure, so if that needs to be done, PM me and I will try to help

cchristanis · Answer

Think your right. I went to wind it up on the right side and it worked but wasn't going back with as much tension as it should. So I tried winding it a little more. Then it "gave out" like the spring just unwound with a lot of force inside. Now it wont click at all when winding. The left side clicks when winding. I think I just need a right spring. Does this sound right?

Dr Quick wrote:
Having worked on replacing two awning fabrics, repaired a damaged awing by removing the top section and restricting, and replaced a broken catch mechanism/spring I would say this.
I believe that you may have a broken spring, as awing's have a spring at each end. Having worked on awnings I believe that it would be impossible for a spring to just unwind. If one end kind of lags the other, that is probably your problem and the spring that is broke.
When I replaced the broke spring/catch it was a tricky procedure, so if that needs to be done, PM me and I will try to help

dr_quick · Answer

The only click that you should hear is from the right/front end, as that is the catch end.  You may try this, if one of the springs is broken the shaft at that end will not have any tension on it. Use a vice grips or a channel lock and try and rotate shaft a bit a either end in both directions. If you do not feel any tension at that end in either direction, that is probably where the bad spring is.

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Awning clicks but wont retract automatically

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