How to wind up cargo cover?

qwertyjjj · Post by **qwertyjjj** » 09 Oct 2017, 18:27

Whilst removing my cargo cover I caught the plastic cap on something and it came off.
I've managed to fit it back on but now the cover will not retract.
How can I wind up the spring again?

Post by **Eddystone** » 10 Oct 2017, 06:45

Basically, the spring is loaded when you pull the cover out of the holder.

The spring loading takes place on the left side when viewed from the rear of the car (driver's side in LHD cars).

My experience is with one that I repaired, so I may not have specifics. Basically, if you roll the cover into the receptacle, replace the end, and pull it out, it should have enough spring tension to pull it back in when it is released. If the plastic end housing is damaged or if the pieces coming from the inside to the end cover are broken, pulling the cover out will not load up the spring and prepare to pull it back in.

Try manually rolling it back in by turning the end of the roll, put the end on, and see if you are getting spring loading.

If not, it's broken and will need to be repaired.

There are a couple of threads describing ways to repair these, and Skandix makes metal end pieces that fit inside the covers and are better than the OEM design but expensive at about $50 USD. I just fixed one with bits purchased at Home Depot and shaped with a dremel tool.

qwertyjjj · Post by **qwertyjjj** » 11 Oct 2017, 11:38

Eddystone wrote: 10 Oct 2017, 06:45 Basically, the spring is loaded when you pull the cover out of the holder.

The spring loading takes place on the left side when viewed from the rear of the car (driver's side in LHD cars).

My experience is with one that I repaired, so I may not have specifics. Basically, if you roll the cover into the receptacle, replace the end, and pull it out, it should have enough spring tension to pull it back in when it is released. If the plastic end housing is damaged or if the pieces coming from the inside to the end cover are broken, pulling the cover out will not load up the spring and prepare to pull it back in.

Try manually rolling it back in by turning the end of the roll, put the end on, and see if you are getting spring loading.

If not, it's broken and will need to be repaired.

There are a couple of threads describing ways to repair these, and Skandix makes metal end pieces that fit inside the covers and are better than the OEM design but expensive at about $50 USD. I just fixed one with bits purchased at Home Depot and shaped with a dremel tool.

The end that came loose has a spring on it about 2' long but it only attaches to the end cap - is that correct? The other cap is just a cap with a white thing that fits inside the tube.
I took a cap off, rolled it up then fitted the cap on. I then put it back in the car but pulling on it didn't load anything. It doesn't look like anything is broken but not sure what else to check.

qwertyjjj · Post by **qwertyjjj** » 19 Oct 2017, 01:58

The end that came loose has a spring on it about 2' long but it only attaches to the end cap - is that correct? The other cap is just a cap with a white thing that fits inside the tube.
I took a cap off, rolled it up then fitted the cap on. I then put it back in the car but pulling on it didn't load anything. It doesn't look like anything is broken but not sure what else to check