Anyone know how to repair a cargo cover that...

[quazar]

won't retract?

Hehe. I have an 87 GL wagon and my cargo cover refuses to retract anymore. I think I might have over-extended it... I sprained my cargo cover.

 

Thanks!

 

Eugene.

[Prospeeder]

if there anything like old seatbelt retractors, there are springs inside that get tired out and stop retracting the belt, so your probably going to have to replace the retractor or whole cargo cover

[azsubaru]

I fixed mine. The spring attaches to a nylon tab that had gotten brittle and finally broke. You can give it a shot - it's no good as is, so what do you have to lose?

 

Yours may be different, but here's how I got it apart - there's a pin in each end - drive them out with something - I used an upside down finishing nail - and the plastic ends will slide off. Then upwrap the cover and there are three clips that hold it on. Snap them off, and you can slide the cover down far enough to get to the metal rod. The spring that retracts the cover is on the driver' side. There's a little dimple in the rod about 3 inches down that holds the nylon retractor in place. I think I just drilled them out to free it up. Then pull the whole thing out the end. This was the hardest part for me. I pulled it out with vice grips and cursing. Then you can see what the heck is wrong with the spring. In my, case, I simply reattached it to a different spot.

 

Reassemble, making sure you get some tension on the fully retracted cover, and you'll be ready to go.

[quazar]

thanks! i'm gonna give it a shot this weekend.. i'll let y'all know how it turns out.

[Hank Roberts]

I fixed mine. The spring attaches to a nylon tab that had gotten brittle and finally broke. You can give it a shot - it's no good as is, so what do you have to lose?...]

 

Great. I'll try it today.