Broken side shelf support ideas to fix

[Chris in GA]

I have the Q3200 with the removable side shelves. There is a metal rod below the shelf support so that the shelf does not move in or out. Issue is the metal rod only is held in place by the plastic. It broke in one side so now the metal rod keeps falling down. Not only that but the shelf itself comes off when the rod is not in place. Looking for some ideas how to fix. I am adding some pictures. Click on the pic for better resolution.

 

[Jon Tofte]

Chris,

That is going to be tough, because the plastic there gets a lot of stress. I can only suggest trying to make a metal flat piece that you can hopefully screw in with small screws to hold in place. Something like that or I think you are out of luck and looking for a new part or a donor grill to take the part from. I don't think any kind of glue would work.

 

[Chris in GA]

Jon thanks for your input. Maybe i can make a thread in the existing rod and then use a nut even that there is not much space. Or maybe some thick wire strong enough but malleable so i can bend it with a plier. Will see what works best and report back, may be a while. Appreciate the suggestions.

 

[Bruce]

Chris, that rod is made out of 1/4" round stock. What you could do is buy a threaded 1/4" rod and fab it into the same shape as the original rod except make that broken end a bit longer so it could go through the handle where you could put a nut on it to hold it up and in place.

This summer, I had a Q320 with one of those rods missing and I bought a 2' SS rod and fabbed a new one so I know it can be done. You could just get a zinc plated one as that is what the original rods are, but threaded.

The solution I see is to buy a 1/4" threaded rod long enough to create the bend in the front like the original but no bend in the back broken side. Then run it straight through the handle (drill a hole) out the other side of the handle. Then drill a small hole through it just on the other side of the handle and put a cotter pin in it to keep it in place. Could be SS or zinc plated probably.
I also believe Jon has a possible solution as well.

Other solution I can think of is to find another rear set of legs.

This is a picture of the solution I propose.

 

[Chris in GA]

Thanks Bruce that is cool. I like the solution. Will have to do it over the weekend and let you guys know how it works. Appreciated very much.

 

[Bruce]

For sure. Keep us posted.

 

[LMichaels]

On my Q320 one side has that rod missing. Honestly until someone here mentioned it a long time ago (Bruce I think when he made one) I never noticed noticed any issue. Been using it like that since I got it. I don't think I would worry about it

 

[Chris in GA]

The thing is without the rod the arms as i call them have too much play and get pushed out about 1 inch each. So the shelf falls off. The rod keeps the arms in the same position so the shelf does not fall.

 

[Bruce]

Chris, I had the same problem before I made the new rod. The sole function of that rod is hold those two arms together and keep them from flexing out.

 

[Walt]

I see there is a hole perpendicular to the rod (OP pictures 2 and 3).
Would it possible to put a zip tie or wire to secure the rod?
Example: in OP picture 1
zip tie enters hole from left to right
tie will go under rod loop over the top then back into hole

 

[Chris in GA]

Yes i was thinking zip tie first thing, ill have to see if i have anything that small.

 

[Walt]

Yes i was thinking zip tie first thing, ill have to see if i have anything that small.

Hi Chris, did you get a chance to try a zip tie?

 

[Chris in GA]

Below is what i came up with, is very strong copper, i had it for many years difficult to bend with the hand needed pliers, similar can be used
Found a zip tie long enough but is too thick, need to keep looking for a smaller diameter zip tie
Pic below