1830 west 15th street houston texas 77008 t.713.861.2540 Technical Service Bulletin: Number: Date: Make: Model: Year: Component:

08102015 - 01 08102015 TAXA Cricket, Cricket Sport 2015, 2014 Roof Hinge

DESCRIPTION: Potential failure of Rear Roof Hinge on Cricket and Cricket Sport

It has come to our attention that there have been several examples of Cricket trailer roof hinges that have failed while driving. Discovery of this problem has occurred when the owner goes to raise the roof and discovers that the roof has settled to the rear approximately one inch. The roof remains safely secured to the body of the trailer through the two side latches and front safety latch. One or both of the rear hinges shears at the bend in the hinge near the roof plane. The root cause of this problem is not clear. Most trailers are not experiencing this issue. We ask that you visually inspect your hinges before setting out on your next trip and during the trip. If you see cracks developing or discover a broken hinge please do not raise the roof. It is safe to drive but less so to activate the roof. If you have raised the roof lower it slowly to a position where it can be latched at the sides and front. Call TAXA to report the issue and we will make a repair appointment at the earliest possible date. The work required to replace the hinges is of medium difficulty. It does not require an RV repair shop but does require a person or person who are handy with tools and has the strength to raise the roof without its gas springs attached. Please read the following for a description of the work and the tools required:

1830 west 15th street houston texas 77008 t.713.861.2540

Instructions for Removal and Re-installation of Roof Hinge Brackets approx. time required: 1.5 hours [Recommended install by extremely handy person, auto repair mechanic, RV tech, etc) Required Tools: - electric drill - 3/16” drill bit - ¼” drill bit - chisel - 7/16” socket wrench - hammer - x 2 ¾” socket wrench (depending on Cricket model year) - allen wrench - rivet tool Included Parts: - 2 @ BLACK replacement hinge brackets – IMPROVED DESIGN, not all holes will line up! (1 Left, 1 Right) - 2 @ replacement hinge spacers (same thickness alum plates marked A and B to sync with hinges) - 8 @ ¼ - 20 x ¾” Stainless Steel machine screws - 8 @ ¼- 20 Stainless Steel locknuts, nylon - 12 @ 3/16” aluminum pop peel rivets (we have included extra) - 2 @ 3/8” clevis pins - 2 @ cotter pins - 4 @steel washers - 16 @ 3/8” nylon washers Removal and Prep: 1. Roof should be in UP position for easiest gas spring removal. For this step, it is recommended that you use a helper to brace the weight of the roof as the gas springs are removed. With yourself and a helper supporting the weight of the roof, carefully detach gas springs that support roof by using small flathead screwdriver or other pointy object to pry the metal retaining clip about 1/8” up from the bottom end. 2. Next, remove 4 screws that secure the roof wiring harness to the driver side-wall of the trailer. This will provide the slack needed in the harness for when the rear of the roof is raised up.

1830 west 15th street houston texas 77008 t.713.861.2540

Wire harness fasteners on wall 3. Next, remove the pin hardware that fastens the hinge brackets to the receiving bracket on the rear frame of the Cricket. This hardware will vary depending on Cricket model year, and will be either a clevis pin type or a ½” bolt/nut with nylon washer assembly. 4. Push rear of roof upwards about 6” and block open with a spacer (hard plastic bin or 2x4 wood blocks work great). This allows clearance for drilling out rivets/removing bolts depending on your Cricket’s vintage.

Rear of roof in air, blocked up with box, access to rivets and or bolts in brackets 5. Use hammer and chisel to knock heads off exposed rivets that attach brackets to roof. DO NOT BE CONCERNED if you mark up the former bracket as it will be discarded.

1830 west 15th street houston texas 77008 t.713.861.2540

Use chisel to remove old rivets 6. Remove damaged bracket pieces and discard. You may need to pry a bit with the chisel to remove the brackets if they are on there tight. 7. Use chisel and hammer to knock the newly exposed rivet bits off flat with surface. This area will be hidden by the new hinge. 8. Drill rivets out of rear trailer facing holes on bracket and enlarge holes using ¼” drill bit for new bolting attachment (if you had rivets here previously) 9. Install hinge brackets using 3/16” rivets supplied PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A LEFT AND RIGHT BRACKET, TAPERS IN BRACKETS WILL LET YOU KNOW WHERE THEY FIT. 10. NOT ALL HOLES WILL ALIGN WITH PREVIOUS HOLES. THIS IS ON PURPOSE. 11. Position left or right hinge in place by pushing rearwards AND upwards. One of the rear facing holes will align – install a machine screw (Nut goes on inside) in this hole, using allen wrench and socket wrench. 12. Keeping hinge pushed upwards drill holes through rear of roof skeleton using holes in hinge as a template. Use ¼” drill bit. Install machine screws and locknuts. Nuts go on interior side.

1830 west 15th street houston texas 77008 t.713.861.2540

13. Repeat for other hinge. 14. Switch drill bit to 3/16” diameter and, using holes in top of hinge as templates, match-drill holes that go INTO BUT NOT THROUGH the panel of the roof. DO THIS VERY CAREFULLY AS IT IS EASY TO PUSH TOO HARD AND ACCIDENTALLY DRILL THROUGH OUTER PANEL SKIN. Where the hinge piece is “floating” (with space between hinge and roof panel), insert spacers (arrow points to gap filled by spacers).

15. Install peel rivets through hinge and into roof panel using supplied rivets and rivet tool.

1830 west 15th street houston texas 77008 t.713.861.2540 16. Remove roof from spacer/blocks and settle it on bottom frame with hinge brackets centered between angles of receiving bracket on rear door frame.

17. Install 3/8” clevis pin, nylon washers, cotter pin through receiving brackets and hinge brackets. Brackets will have some space and extra an amount of play in their action. This is GOOD. You may discard leftover ½” bolts, washers and nuts.

1830 west 15th street houston texas 77008 t.713.861.2540

CLEVIS PIN ASSEMBLY Cotter pin / steel washer / DOOR BRACKET / x2 washers / ROOF BRACKET/ x2 washers / DOOR BRACKET / steel washer

18. Re-attach gas springs. Reverse of Step1. Remember to use a helper to lift up the roof and support at the front while you re-attach gas springs and metal spring retaining clips. 19. ALL FINISHED!