BGE lid out of alignment - help needed

[Ursanewf]

Hi. I’ve been a member for a couple of years but never posted before and don’t normally do stuff like this but I’m at the end of my tether so hope I’m in the right place.

I’ve just replaced the gasket on my medium BGE but putting it back together I can’t get the lid right. If I losen the screws I can get it straight and it’s even still straight when the screws are tightened, but then when I open the lid it’s stiff and the alignment goes out again. I’ve tried every combination of screw tightening that I can think of and several YouTube videos, but I’m obviously doing something wrong. It’s not even out by just a bit, it’s miles. Can anyone help?

Thanks

[LA Pork Butt]

First question - are you using zip ties and/or the nylon piece that kept it locked when you purchased it? If no that is probably the problem. Also you should have spacers that came with your egg which will help with the alignment. Finally are you tightening the band adequately?

[Ursanewf]

Hi. Yes I did use the spacer bar when I took it all apart to put the gasket on (although it would only fit one side, the other the screws were too far apart to go in the holes (I bought my egg factory assembled and not done anything like this with it before))and when I reassembled I used spacers. But then I took the spacer bar off to open the lid when I first thought I ‘d done and haven’t put it back on since. I think the band is tight enough but I’m no expert. How do you tell?

[LA Pork Butt]

If the band is not slipping it should be tight enough. What I mean by slipping is the bands should be even or close to it all the way around the egg. I thought I had better clarify what you mean by alignment. Are you talking about the bands around the egg are not flush with the edge or the top and bottom of the are out of alignment when they meet. A pic would help with the diagnosis. Did you have an alignment issue before you replaced the gasket. If so, I guess your hinge could be worn out.

i am still not clear as to whether you tied the hinge and bands shut when you tried to align the egg.

[Ursanewf]

Sorry. What I mean by alignment is there is underbite. In other words theres about (at the moment, I keep trying) a good quarter inch where the base sticks out in front of the lid at the front and consequently it overhangs at the back. I seem to be able to get the sides ok. I’ve put the white spacer bar back on and it was aligned but when I tightened the top bolt it went out again also the 2 nuts side by side. Try these photos.

[LA Pork Butt]

Assuming you didn’t have the alignment problem before changing the gasket, try this. Loosen both bands, align the top and bottom. Then tighten the bottom band until it binds some. Then do the top the same way. The alternating tightening the bottom and the to some each time until both are fully tight. Then release the lock. Wen you start the whole process in addition to the nylon lock use a zip tie on each side of the hind end to make sure nothing slips.

[Ursanewf]

Ok so here’s back where I started. With the white bar holding the 2 nuts and the spacers in place I got it near enough. It was never flush even when new so I’m just trying to get it back to how it was. See pic 1 I then tightened all the bolts and nuts and it was still where it should be. I removed the spacers and the white bar, opened the lid and when I put it back down again it had all moved see pic 2. Am I not tightening something enough so it moves when I lift the lid?

[Skip]

Ursanewf I have had the trouble as you and tried several ways of alignment. I finally did as LA Pork Butt has stated and mine is much better but not perfect. The fact of "using the zip ties" along with the white plastic strips to hold everything in place while tightening is what helped me out the most. I thought I'd saved a UTube Video but can't find it in my files. BGE has a New Style Hinge but they are expensive.

[Ursanewf]

Hi Just letting you know I’m giving up for the day. I’ve been at it 6.5 hours 5 of those just trying to get the lid so it opens and doesn’t lose alignment and if I don’t stop now I’m in danger of doing something drastic. I guess I’ll have to use a normal cooker this week and have another go next weekend.

[Skip]

Don't give up. Come back later and give it a try. You'll get it at least some better. It took me years of trying. Do the White Straps and Zip Ties.