Problem with Large BGE dome - Won't close!

EggHead_Bubba

Was in the middle of a cook the other night and raised the dome to flip some steaks. When I tried to close the dome it got stuck and now won't close. About a 3" gap remains in the front. There's resistance when trying to close it further so I don't want to force anything. What on earth is going on here? No recent changes to the BGE, it just seems out of the blue.

Biggreenpharmacist

Something happens to mine sometimes and it wont open all the way. Kinda strange. Like it gets in a bind. I can shut it and open it a few times and eventually it releases. 

EggHead_Bubba

Yeah, mine will raise all the way but binds up and won't close. I have no idea what happened. Looks like I'll be taking the band/hinge assembly off soon to try and figure this out.

fruitguy

Just had this issue on my XL.  Basically the hinge assembly is binding up and needs to be lubricated.  Below is what the mothership sent me:

The rear hinged needs to be lubed up. Below is the rest from the email:

If your XL Egg is difficult to open or close, the grill is telling you it is time to perform some preventative maintenance.  Over time the hinges will tighten up each time the hinge assembly is opened and closed.  The XL has (2) side hinge assemblies and (2) rear hinge assemblies.  There is a linkage bar connecting the upper and lower brackets on each hinge.  There are (2) nuts and bolts on each of these linkage arms.  Make sure each nut is completely tight, then back (loosen) it off ¼ turn.  Apply lubricating oil ( 3 in 1 oil or gun oil) or graphite powder to each of those pivot points and work the hinge.  DO NOT USE WD40.  This adjustment should let your hinge work normally again.  Do this on a yearly basis to keep the hinge assembly in good operating condition. 

Once you have lubricated and adjusted the hinges, check the placement of the black bands and  tightness of the carriage bolts.   To move the bands on an XL Egg you must first remove the springs.  When the bottom band is too far down, it can cause the dome set back on the base and you start losing the adjustability of the side hinges.  The bottom band needs to be mounted 1/4” below the bottom gasket.   Make sure the bottom band is level and tighten its carriage bolt until the ends of the black bands are about ¾” apart.  Next make sure the top band is level and tighten its carriage bolt the same amount.  The placement of the top band is not as crucial.  Just make sure the band is level and tighten its carriage bolt the same amount.

Check the placement of your bands and tightness of all fasteners at least once a year to keep the grill in safe operating condition.

EggNorth

I had a similar problem and what I found was the bolts on back were getting so tight it took a double hand to loosen them.  My hinge was about 5 year,s old so I replaced the hinge and that solved the problem.

Biggreenpharmacist

I sprayed mine down with foodgrade machine lubricant. Seems to have done the trick. 

EggHead_Bubba

I tried to lubricant and it did not fix the issue. I'm going to need to take the bands off and see what's going on.