Egg Alignment - Hinge 'keeper'

3Pedals6Speeds · July 2009

My Egg came assembled by the dealer, but when they tried to put it in my van, they decided to remove the top from bottom and took both bands off. They assured me (and I didn't know enough to dispute) that it would "all be good".

I reassembled, but since they didn't give me the "hinge keeper" (my guess at a name for the device) the top is off ever so slightly. I'd like to get these aligned. Does anyone know where I can get one of these? Also - the band tightening bolts look pretty standard, can I replace them with something from Home Depot or Lowes? In trying to correct the alignment I've cycled then 2-3 times, and they're starting to mash the threads up.

Panhandle Smoker · July 2009

I would start by going back through the instructions on the band assembly. That may cure you problem. Were the bands in the closed position when you started? If not how did you instal the bands?
What size Egg?

http://forte-products.com/img/BGE SAB Manual 7-16-07.pdf

3Pedals6Speeds · July 2009

It's a large egg.

I went back through the directions, but they have this warning to not throw away (at least in the video) the thing that keeps the hinge at just the right angle. Without this I have the top of the egg ever so slightly back (toward the hinge) of the base.

My concern is I'm going to have more air leaking than otherwise, and I'll also burn up the gasket sooner.

So Cal EGGhead · July 2009

Where are you located? I am an EGG dealer and can fix it for you...that is if you are in California. Otherwise, call your dealer and have them fix it!!! I would do it for my customers.

3Pedals6Speeds · July 2009

Unfortunately I'm in Michigan. I'm kind of doubtful they're going to come out and reset it for me.

Panhandle Smoker · July 2009

They should have some keepers or you can use wire ties.

So Cal EGGhead · July 2009

Is the hinge keeper the white plastic utensils that were originally on the hinge. If so, I save those and have about 50 of them. Send your address info to my email address and I can send you two of them.

3Pedals6Speeds · July 2009

Email sent. Thanks!

Grandpas Grub · July 2009

The "hinge keeper" is called by BGE a white plastic "shipping retainer bar(s)".

The bolts hinge bolts are 5/16" carriage bolts. Get galvanized and new nuts if you want to replace them.

There might be some lines on the head of the bold, that is a classification of the bolt (strength and such). If the marks are there try to get the same at the hardware store.

As Panhandle Smoker said above you can use wire ties to keep the hinge shut.

If you dealer won't give your the shipping retainer bars than take So Cal EGGhead up on his generous offer (thanks from another egg head SCE).

You can put the bands on with the hinge open or closed, most will suggest closed. For me it doesn't make much difference either way. If reinstalling the bands with the hinge open it helps to have a helper. My wife did a good job.

Before proceeding there is a possiblity you or the dealer torqued the bands while taking them off or in transport or in movement to wherever the egg is sitting now. If the bands are torqued/twisted that will make it hard to realign top to bottom.

Put the bands on flat cement and make sure the bands are not torqued/twisted. If they are, gently twist them back to flat.

Then follow the Spring Assisted Band Instruction Manual if you got that sheet with your egg.

In case you don't have the instructions... first put the band assembly on the base of the egg. Make sure the (non torqued) band is seated as far down on the base as possible. Tighten the bolt to snug. Look at the ridge on the base and the bottom of the band and make sure the band is seated as far down as possible, all the way around the egg.

Tighten the band bolt watching the band does not creep away from the ridge on the base of the egg.

If all is good then tighten to just before bolt bend and again check for the band to be fully seated.

Have someone use both hands equally on both sides of the upper band and move the upper band to the closed position. You don't want to torque the upper band. While the helper is holding the upper band (or you can use plastic ties to hold the hinge closed) set the dome on the base inside the upper band.

Follow the tightening procedure for the upper band as explained above.

If all looks good and the egg passes the dollar bill test (no gaps between the dome and base) finish tighten the bolts to the bolt bend position.

Long to explain but easy to do.

GG

WADoug · July 2009

Just curious...if the hing-keeper is not in place all the time, as it seems to be in 3Pedal6Speeds case, how does one re-align the bands to fit the hing-keeper? Does it matter, or is it just there to keep the hing from springing up into your face? Not sure what the hing-keeper really does.

Panhandle Smoker · July 2009

They just keep the bands in the closed position for shipping and removing the dome. Wire ties can also be used to remove the dome.

Jersey Doug · July 2009

Another thing that helped me a lot was to oil the band bolts before I tightened them the first time and each time I loosen and tighten them afterwards. The galvanized hardware can't take too many dry cycles before it starts to gall.

rosros · July 2009

Or just open the lid and remove the springs with pliers. EZ to do since there is no tension on the springs. Bruce at mothership says this is the route to go.

Magnus Viridis Ovum · July 2009

Where are you in Michigan?

We are a BGE dealer in West Michigan. If you are still having problems, send me an email and I will help you if I can.

Tom

FSUScotsman · July 2009

That was a really good explanation. I've got to tweak my small and now I think I might be able to do it!!

Egg Alignment - Hinge 'keeper'

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