Retrax Issue. (rolling up the retrax)

Does anyone have any detailed shots of how far back their retrax rolls into the retrax system when you are using the bed.

Mine doesn't seem to roll up as far as it should and leaves about 8 inches of cover outside the box.

Also.. anyone know how to take out a stripped allen key bolt.. *gulp*

Can't help on the cover, but as far as the bolt - you can either take a dremel or like tool and cut a slice into the bolt and then use a flathead screwdriver to remove it (this is if the head is raised and not flush or countersunk) or I beleive Craftsman makes that tool that removed stripped items of various natures. probably 15$ or so. Good luck

Craftsman "screw-out" or "bolt-out" set is what you are looking for

Your cover should go completely into the cannister with just the lip of it showing at the top of the cannister. I'll look and see if I have a pic. Chances are good that I do.

Here's a pic that Ultra Hog posted:

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=12168&postcount=2

Here are some more that he posted that show it close up:

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14207&postcount=28

Hmm.. I wonder what could be preventing it from rolling in.. Thanks for the tip! I'll look into that craftsmen tool!

Found the screwout , sears has them for about 20.00 ebay has them even cheaper.. Thanks!

Here's an old trick that may work. Take a flat / standard screwdriver with a tip that is as new and sharp as you can find that is will just barely fit into the pocket of the stripped screw head. The tighter the better. Tap the handle of the screwdriver sharply as you twist the handle counter-clockwise. Don't be too gentle with the hammer and the twisting force. Just don't twist too much and make the damage to the head worse. Maintain downward pressure with your hand and be careful to make sure that the blade does not bounce off of the screw head and damage what surrounds it. Sometimes heating the screw head with a soldering iron can really help too. (That works great for those small fine thread case screws for electronic items too.) If you can use one of those screw extractors instead of the flat screwdriver, that may work even better. If you know that it is cross threaded and really stuck hard, you may have to drill it out and re-tap the hole or cut the head off it the other methods don't work. Good luck.

Also, with the Retrax cover in the open position, it should be 14 1/2" from the window glass to the rear edge of the cover. That puts that rear edge just about over the rear edge of the canister itself.

The Craftsman Screwout bits work! Dad bought me a set for Christmas one year. I thought they were a gimik, but I have used them several times and they work like a champ. Use a slow drill speed.

Thanks!! I'll give the flat head idea a shot , but I think i'll pick up a set of screwouts just incase because I seem to run into softheaded screws alot.. Could come in handy..

I seem to run into softheaded screws alot..
I live in a college town, there are a lot of softheaded screw(balls) around here!:rolleyes:

Actually, I have heard a lot of good things about those Craftsman screwouts too. Thanks steveberger, you peaked my interest. I will be picking up a set myself. I may wait until they go on sale though as everything eventually does at Sears.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CRAFTSMAN-52156-DRILL-OUT-DAMAGE-SCREW-REMOVERS-NEW_W0QQitemZ4434277508QQcategoryZ42263QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

If you have concerns about your Retrax not retracting fully, do not hesitate to call Retrax and run it past them. This is a responsive company and they are very friendly.

Hmm.. I wonder what could be preventing it from rolling in..
Please keep us informed if you find a fix. Mine has never rolled back all the way.

Thanks!! I'll give the flat head idea a shot , but I think i'll pick up a set of screwouts just incase because I seem to run into softheaded screws alot.. Could come in handy..
Wise old man say - he who spend more on torque wrenches spend less on screw outs :D

Take a flat / standard screwdriver with a tip that is as new and sharp as you can find that is will just barely fit into the pocket of the stripped screw head. The tighter the better. Tap the handle of the screwdriver sharply as you twist the handle counter-clockwise. Don't be too gentle with the hammer and the twisting force. Just don't twist too much and make the damage to the head worse. Maintain downward pressure with your hand and be careful to make sure that the blade does not bounce off of the screw head and damage what surrounds it.
The old poor man's impact wrench, :D

Please keep us informed if you find a fix. Mine has never rolled back all the way.

I will definately keep you posted. --Josh

Did you call Retrax and see what the problew could be?...Curious
Maybe they sent you a cover that was too long inside the Cartridge????

Vinnie

Just picked up a used (6 months) Retrax yesterday. I also noticed that it doesnt roll back all the way. It leaves about an extra 3-4" sticking out. Only sticks out a little past the canister, so its not a huge issue.
I didnt realize that when we installed it yesterday, you can actually flip the front tie downs over and leave them on. Not sure if I will take the cover back off, just for that though. Other than that, I LOVE the Retrax cover. It looks amazing on the truck, and is almost too easy to use. If your sitting on the fence, you wont be unhappy if you put one on!