Large - new style bands and hinges vs old... are they worth it?

danhoo

first hand experience please.

Either I like my new style hinges much better 
or 
I wish I didn't replace the old ones.

And why...

Trying to decide if I should replace mine 

RRP

OK I’ll TRY to go first…

PRO: New bands, nice new look…AND easily to adjust.

CON your dome will NOT open as wide.

Photo Egg

If your current bands are in good shape and you’re not having alignment problems there is zero benefit to changing them out.

danhoo

I'm having adjustment issues after replacing my base last summer.

I came across a new in box set of the new style bands for sale near me and am considering replacing the bands. 

1voyager

The old bands on my LBGE warped so I replaced them under warranty. I thought replacement would be the solution to correct the underbite.

Wrong. The new bands didn't fix the underbite, but they didn't cost me anything, so no big deal. (Other than the Egg still has the underbite.)

While replacing the bands, I discovered that the dome is out-of-round, so no solution will correct the alignment.

In summary, if I had paid for the bands I would have a huge case of buyer's remorse.

danhoo

I've read a number of threads when the new bands came out and never had issues, but I've been fighting with the bands since I had to replace the base. Maybe I bent something, maybe I just don't know how to adjust it correctly? 

The last time I adjusted them was the initial install in 2011...

I'm not sure I want the dome not opening as wide. I might have to swing by a dealer and look at one. 

Thanks.

Photo Egg

Taking a look at a set at a dealer is a great idea. This question has come up several times. I know someone posted some side by side photos showing the angle difference. The new system is just different. It opens more like the XL Egg with a pivotal motion.
Hope you get it works out.

RRP

1voyager said:

While replacing the bands, I discovered that the dome is out-of-round, so no solution will correct the alignment.

Out-of-round issues are quite frequently the reason some eggs have over or under bites. All I person needs to do to see if that is their problem is the measure from 3 to 9 and then 12 to 6 and compare the measurements. 

1voyager

@RRP - Agreed. 12 to 6 is off by 1/4". If I align in the front, then the back of the lid scrapes the gasket.

danhoo

Photo Egg said:

Taking a look at a set at a dealer is a great idea. This question has come up several times. I know someone posted some side by side photos showing the angle difference. The new system is just different. It opens more like the XL Egg with a pivotal motion.
Hope you get it works out.

Thanks. I've read posts with pics and the distances over the years, yet I can't seem to find any with searching and TBH, I wasn't really paying much attention to the discussions when the new bands were released, because mine worked just fine.

RRP

1voyager said:

@RRP - Agreed. 12 to 6 is off by 1/4". If I align in the front, then the back of the lid scrapes the gasket.

Personally I wouldn't fret about 1/4"...BUT when you say the lid scrapes the gasket then that is telling me the planes of your dome and base are out of whack and not the fault of your out-of-round situation. To solve the planes issue just close your dome, loosen your band bolts sufficiently so that you can press your dome down onto the base and then tighten the nuts again. That should solve the scraping issue! HTH

dbCooper

RRP said:

1voyager said:

@RRP - Agreed. 12 to 6 is off by 1/4". If I align in the front, then the back of the lid scrapes the gasket.

Personally I wouldn't fret about 1/4"...BUT when you say the lid scrapes the gasket then that is telling me the planes of your dome and base are out of whack and not the fault of your out-of-round situation. To solve the planes issue just close your dome, loosen your band bolts sufficiently so that you can press your dome down onto the base and then tighten the nuts again. That should solve the scraping issue! HTH

To add to what @RRP said, this is what worked for me with the old style:

- take nut off stud that supports the lower end of each spring, open dome and wiggle spring off stud.

- close dome, loosen the eight nuts that hold hinge to bands.

- do the band adjustments procedure from above

- tighten the eight hinge nuts.

- open dome, wiggle springs back on stud and install retaining nuts.

My experience with the old bands is they required this procedure periodically.  I've had the new style on my Large for over three years.  I do the dollar bill test every few months, no adjustments have been needed to date.

Good idea you stated about stopping by your dealer to test drive the reduced dome opening height.

shtgunal3

I had a lot of alignment issues with the old bands. Was constantly having to adjust and it was driving me crazy. I bought and installed the new style last year and have had zero issues since. I will say that they have already started to rust which is a little disappointing.

Dondgc

The dome definitely won’t open as much. I don’t find that to be a problem but it is a noticeable difference. I changed to the new bands because I could not keep the temp regulated even with a new gasket from @RRP. No more temp problems with the new bands. I don’t see any reason to switch for someone who is not having an issue. 

wwinnc

I upgraded when I got a new base under warranty-old bands were rusted and looked bad-  no issues and no huge difference in functionality.  Fwiw.

danhoo

I stopped by my dealer today, and I think I could live with the lesser / different dome opening.

But, I relocated my swing up side tables so they are 90 degrees, and the mount location would conflict with the newer style bands. I could revert the swing location, but I really like having them swing up at 90 degrees, as it works well with the other grills on either side of this one.

So, time to get to work adjusting this one. If it would only cool off a little...