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Can't get Dome and Base flush
SPRIGS
Posts: 482
I have a fairly significant gap in the back between the dome and the base of my XL. I have used the search function and have tried a lot of the suggestions. I have loosened the top band, the dome goes down and sits on the base. I then tighten the top band and connect the hings assembly to the nest and then the first time I open the lid, I have a gap in the back ranging from an 1/8" to maybe a 1/4". I have always had a significant underbite in the front and have never been able to get rid of that issue. At this point, I don't even care about the underbite or passing the dollar bill test, I just want my dome to sit fairly flush on the base so the charcoal doesn't continue to burn long after I shut everything down. I am tempted to load it up, take it to my dealer and see if they have any better luck. Will the new bands fix this issue? I am up for any suggestions. Thanks.
XL BGE
Comments
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How old is the XL?There was a run of XL bases (Probably a 1-2 years ago) that had a defect called tapering and this would cause the bottom band to slide up on the base, causing said issue. I'd talk to your dealer~ John - Formerly known as ColtsFan - https://www.instagram.com/hoosier_egger
XL BGE, LG BGE, Med BGE, BGE Chiminea, Ardore Pizza Oven
Bloomington, IN - Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers! -
Can you attach a picture? The bottom band should be at the top of the ceramic on the base. A common problem is that is pushed all the way down.
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It is probably 6-7 years old. Can't really remember how long its been since I bought it. I will try adjusting the bottom band so it is all the way to to the top of the ceramic on the base. Should I leave the springs attached when i do this or unhook the springs first? Will try taking some pics tonight. Thanks for the help.XL BGE
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I would leave everything attached and the dome closed when you adjust the bands.
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Even the hinge assembly? With that attached to the bands, I can't move the bands in the back of the Egg very much up or down.XL BGE
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If you remove the springs and close the lid, does the lid sit on the base good? If so your bands may be to far apart at the back. If the gap is there without the springs then your hinges are too close together in the back.
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My recollection from the other night is that after removing the springs only, the gap was still present in the back. Not sure what you mean by "hinges are too close together". Do you mean where the hinges connect to the bands in the back? If I move that farther apart, won't the bands also be farther apart in the back when everything is connected back up? Sorry, as I know this is confusing just trying to type it without pics. I will try taking pics tonight both before and after I mess with it. I really appreciate all the input!JethroBodeen said:If you remove the springs and close the lid, does the lid sit on the base good? If so your bands may be to far apart at the back. If the gap is there without the springs then your hinges are too close together in the back.
XL BGE -
Pics would do wonders but you should be able to tell where the bind is that is holding the lid off the base in the back. I'm saying the two bands are too close together in the back causing the the hinges to bind and hold the top up. I could be completely wrong, there could be a squirrel caught in it.
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My hinge is what is causing the issue. Disconnected springs and the hinge and done sat fine on base. Go to hook hinge up to top band and the brackets which the posts go through don’t sit flush on the top band. I messed around with it and got it better- probably a 1/16” gap in back but I can live with that.
XL BGE -
Unfortunately I broke off a bolt so will be taking the bottom band loose tomorrow after getting a new one from dealer. Dang!
XL BGE -
If you got it to a 1/16th. I would loosen top and bottom bands and move top band up and bottom band down in the back at the hinges. You may need an extra set of hands to hold them while being tightened...
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Ok - about ready to give up. I went to the dealer and picked up some extra posts or whatever they are called. Took everything apart, put it all together and I had no gap in the back between dome and base and my underbite in front was drastically improved. Fired it up to grill some asparagus. Ran it at about 350. Went to shut everything down and now have a gap again in the back - about 1/8 of an inch and the underbite is more pronounced then it was before firing it up. WTH am I doing wrong? Ideas as to what is causing this? Driving me nuts as I really thought I had it this time. I can move the top band in the back up a bit which may help some for the gap but again, there was no gap and it passed the dollar bill test all the way around before lighting it. Is the heat somehow causing things to get out of whack?XL BGE
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Ok. I can’t open the lid now more than 5-6”. It’s like it’s hinge bound somewhere. Also, gap is now a good 1/4” in back. Got to be either the hinges or the springs that are screwing things up. Not sure how I am going to get it open to remove the springs now.If anyone is interested in a 7 year old XL with Flameboss, adjustable rack, woo, etc. in Northeast Nebraska, let me know.XL BGE
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Are they bolts on the hinges supposed to be tight or somewhat loose?XL BGE
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Somewhat loose on the pivot points and a little oil will help too
I think @Photo Egg is well versed in all things with XL bands and hinges.-----------------------------------------analyze adapt overcome2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky. -
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I have to get a new carriage bolt tomorrow. Was trying to tighten the top band and the bolt is stripped and will no longer think tighten. Think it was from the bend and where it rubbed on the bands just wore the threads down.XL BGE
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Loose, any pivot point should be “loose” pour some olive oil on those too they look dry as heckSouth of Columbus, Ohio.
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Those should be loose and the ones in the back that look like the culprit in holding things up. The ones in your original pics. They look on the tight side to me as well..
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I loosened them all up and put oil on them last night and they all seen to move pretty freely. Will try it again tonight as I just stopped and picked up new carriage bolts for the bands. I will have to try to get everything somewhat put back together before trying to open the lid to unhook the springs. Will then do it all again to try to get the gap closed and somewhat fix the underbite. I really thought I had it last night but suspect the carriage bolt on the top band being stripped somewhat caused the top band to loosen and slide back down which was causing the binding. At least I hope that was the issue.
One thing I am not following though, a lot of videos I have watched talk about having the band right to the edge of the ceramic all the way around top and bottom to fix the underbite. I had them that way but then I had the gap in the back. Suggestion was to push the top band in the back up as far as I could get and the bottom band in the back down as far as I could get it to fix the gap. So am I looking at fixing the gap but still having the underbite? Any way to fix them both.
If this doesn't work tonight I am hauling it to my dealer to get it fixed. Beyond frustrated.
I really appreciate all of the help and suggestions though! Thank you.XL BGE -
Being ceramic and not all being exactly the same. It is hard to go by a rule that someone else uses and it work on yours. For instance when I went to a new band the instructions say to use the spacers and everybody was going on about the spacers. After much frustration and a conversation with my dealer. I was told to throw the spacers in the trash and go by fit. Once I did that things got easier and a better fit.So, go with what works as far as your egg goes and NOT what You Tube says. If your band was indeed slipping AND the hinge bolts were too tight, you may be on the road to recovery...
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I coudn't take sitting here thinking about it so i drove home over my lunch. Got it all back together and it appears for now to have worked. The oil on the hinge bolts and loosening them up a bit sure helped with opening and closing the dome. Gap appears to be closed. Doesn't quite pass the dollar bill test in the far back but there is some pressure on the bill back there. Will fire it up tonight and hopefully it all stays in place.
Thanks so much guys. I am not the most mechanically inclined guy so being able to bounce this stuff off someone has been a huge help!XL BGE -
Not to sound incentive, but I think we are fast approaching tethering your dog to this eggGreensboro North Carolina
When in doubt Accelerate.... -
Not following you.johnmitchell said:Not to sound incentive, but I think we are fast approaching tethering your dog to this eggXL BGE -
Type in Devastated into the search (top right) a real classic..It’s a gem
Greensboro North Carolina
When in doubt Accelerate.... -
Ouch!! That was rough!johnmitchell said: Type in Devastated into the search (top right) a real classic..It’s a gem XL BGE
Should these be tight or loose? 
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