Dinette table

[reeder100]

I'm a very new owner of a 31TE (1997-twin Peninsulars that are still going strong) with an embarrassing question: How the heck do you lower the table down into its' forward berth position. I loosen the fixing bolt and the table rotates on its post but it won't budge either up or down?? What am I missing here? How is it supposed to work?

Replies would be much appreciated. If you could also email: stevejw_AT_gmail.com I would appreciate it because I can't get into this forum on my work computer (it seems to be an IE version thing?).

thanks
Steve Worcester
Acadia

[johnmurray]

Albin dinette tables have been a long-standing problem. (I think there have been previous posts on this issue.) When I purchased my 2005 A30FC new, I could not get the table to slide up and down. I brought this matter to the attention of the selling dealer who arranged with Albin to switch out the table pedestal for a different brand and it has worked fine. Unfortunately there are no identifying marks on my replacement pedestal but they must be available in the marketplace.

[zinbaad]

I was told it was a two person job, one to push straght down & one to retighten the screw lock.
On my 31 , I rapidly and firmly push straight down in the center of table, while holding down tighten hand screw in to lock table down.. Perhaps spraying a little wd40 between the sliding shafts might help also. It does take a solid push to lower table.. Let us know how you do.

[fuenstock]

Yes, the table can be a pain. Like noted, firm push straight down or it can hang up.

[JackK]

I finally broke down and had to disassemble my dinette table this fall. I too could not lower the table.

Step one was a leap of faith. I grasped the table and firmly lifted until the table popped free of the base. At first I thought the entire base was going to come up with the table but alas it did not. Once the table was free I found that there is a standard gas arm similar to the tailgait lift arms on cars / suvs. On my table this was the source of the problem. A washer and nut was floating around inside the connection between the table top and the solid leg. The gas arm was now binding since it was no longer secured in the center of the post. The gas arm wouldn't compress and the table couldn't go down.

I'm by no means an artist but here's a drawing to give you the idea ...


Next, I removed all of the screws securing the table top to the post to gain access to the nut and washer. With the table top off, I could now reconnect the gas arm to the base with the washer and nut. I can see now that each time someone spins the table top there is a potential to loosen the nut securing the gas arm.

Once the gas arm is resecured, re-install the table top screws. Then lower the table back into position trying to keep the gas arm centered in the post. By feel it seems that there is a small hole or indent in the base to hold the gas arm once you slide it all the way to the bottom. The table now travels up and down slick as can be


Jack

[reeder100]

Thanks all for the replies (and particularly Jack for the artwork). I guess it wasn't such an embarassing question after all. I'll let you know how I do.

[chiefrcd]

I finally got my table down on my 28....that was 5 years ago. Then I had a custom mattress made and covered it up. Permanent V-berth!!