07-30-2012, 01:14 PM
Gang,
I talked to one of the Newell techs. It turns out there are two different version of the Valid electric powered slides. In 2003 Newell started using the Valid slides and as far as I can tell they are still using them.
The first version that was used in 2003 and maybe in 2004 had holes in the bottom and that look like holes for pins. Later version do not have holes and have a fore and aft zipper looking slots in the bottom in addition to the diagonal slots.
The way that the tech explained it is there is a z shaped bar with a flat part on both ends. Then the bar is pulled in or pushed out it uses the angled part of the "z". When it gets to the flat part it engages the flat part and this is what locks the slide in place.
So on Valid slides in the 2003 2004 vintage, there are no locking pins. Any clunk noises when traveling are most likely bearings or some such.
In case you have this vintage there is one more peculiarity. On the front and back of each slide, there is a flexible metal curtain. This curtain makes a really distinctive coiled metal spring noise if it is not tensioned correctly. Newell adjusted the curtain on my front drives side slide...and the noise is greatly reduced although not eliminated. WARNING...this is not a DIY kinda thing. The spring is under quite a bit of tension and can be dangerous to work on. Think garage door tensioner.
So no locking pins and no bushings.
Cheers,bill
I talked to one of the Newell techs. It turns out there are two different version of the Valid electric powered slides. In 2003 Newell started using the Valid slides and as far as I can tell they are still using them.
The first version that was used in 2003 and maybe in 2004 had holes in the bottom and that look like holes for pins. Later version do not have holes and have a fore and aft zipper looking slots in the bottom in addition to the diagonal slots.
The way that the tech explained it is there is a z shaped bar with a flat part on both ends. Then the bar is pulled in or pushed out it uses the angled part of the "z". When it gets to the flat part it engages the flat part and this is what locks the slide in place.
So on Valid slides in the 2003 2004 vintage, there are no locking pins. Any clunk noises when traveling are most likely bearings or some such.
In case you have this vintage there is one more peculiarity. On the front and back of each slide, there is a flexible metal curtain. This curtain makes a really distinctive coiled metal spring noise if it is not tensioned correctly. Newell adjusted the curtain on my front drives side slide...and the noise is greatly reduced although not eliminated. WARNING...this is not a DIY kinda thing. The spring is under quite a bit of tension and can be dangerous to work on. Think garage door tensioner.
So no locking pins and no bushings.
Cheers,bill
Bill Johnson
Birmingham, Alabama