Forum Discussion

cdlaine's avatar
cdlaine
Explorer
Nov 13, 2017

Pocket door help....

What you are looking at is the top rail for the pocket door on my 5th wheel. The door separates the bedroom from the main living area. (door is removed in photo). Look closely and you will see the most distal screw has worked loose thus blocking the door from opening all the way. (also , the very next proximal screw is awol). So , my query, ... the distal screw (Phillips) is farther back than the length of my arm, and, my beefy Python will not fit in the space allotted (one would have to
be anorexic).

How do I tighten/replace these screws ??? (there is no lateral access).

What tool /extension combo is needed ?

Thank you,

Charles

Pocket door rail....
  • lee_worsdell's avatar
    lee_worsdell
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    Whats on either side of those panels. I would just try to take off the panel to get at it
  • ol_Bombero-JC's avatar
    ol_Bombero-JC
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    Interesting "combination" on the closest screw in the photo.

    Is that intended to be a stop for the door to keep it from coming
    out of the track.....and maybe the rear one also?
    (but that one appears *not* to have a stop/spacer nut)

    Do you think the "awol" screws were ever there?

    Easy (?) solution - call mfgrs Tech Line, ask them.

    :h
  • newman_fulltime's avatar
    newman_fulltime
    Explorer II
    Nov 13, 2017
    drill a 2 inch hole in the cabinet at the back and use a 90 screwdriver rhen put a hole plug in the hole like for a sink.hole filler
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Nov 13, 2017
    Get one of those palm size power drivers and duct tape it to a stick. Practice reaching in with it. Then tape it on or create a remote trigger and then engage the screw. Chris
  • cdlaine's avatar
    cdlaine
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    Thank you all very much.

    DownTheRoad and Mandalay Parr.... your ideas will be Plan A.

    Newman FullTimer... Plan B. (but probably should be Plan A for
    the next time this happens).

    Ol' Bombero.... here is a photo of the on door mounting device and
    securing plastic lock. The only "stops" I'm aware of are the back
    end of the pocket door slot, and a securing snap-on strap on the door.
    I called the Mfr. and learned how to remove the door... they have special
    extension devices to assist installation. The "awol" screw remains
    unaccounted for... I hope it was originally installed. Thanks.

    Pocket door mount hardware...

    Thanks again ...I'm out camping in the desert so the solution will
    have to wait until back at the sticks and brick. I will leave the door
    off hoping to avoid damage en route.

    Charles
  • ndrorder's avatar
    ndrorder
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    Something like this may be?

    https://www.amazon.com/OriGlam-Extension-Adapter-Magnetic-Screwdriver/dp/B06XKW4VZ2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1510603501&sr=8-4&keywords=angle+socket&dpID=51MNNV41jTL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    Something similar happened to our door but I am thin enough to get to the back screws. Maybe ask a skinny friend.
    Then I drilled more holes in the track that I could get at and put in several more screws. Then I always close the door for travel so the load is on the new and more abundant screws.

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