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DOG WEDGE INSPECTION
DOG WEDGES ARE WEARING PARTS; EVENTUALLY THEY WEAR OUT AND MUST BE REPLACED. THE PROCEDURE FOR REPLACING THE WEDGES VARIES DEPENDING ON THE WAY THE WEDGES ARE MOUNTED TO THE DOOR FRAME, BUT THE THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN INSPECTING WEDGES ARE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME NO MATTER HOW THE WEDGES ARE MOUNTED.
HOW TO TELL WHEN DOG WEDGE WEAR HAS BECOME EXCESSIVE
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IF A WEDGE IS WORN MORE THAN HALFWAY DOWN OR IF IT HAS DEEP GROOVES CARVED INTO IT, IT PROBABLY MUST BE REPLACED.
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ON INDIVIDUALLY DOGGED CLOSURES, THE DOG SHOULD STOP ABOUT HALF THE DISTANCE ACROSS THE SURFACE OF THE WEDGE AND IT SHOULD NEVER GO PAST THE STOP FORMED INTO THE TRAILING END OF THE WEDGE. IF A DOG STOPS TOO FAR ALONG THE WEDGE, THE WEDGE MAY NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FIRST, TRY TO ADJUST THE DOG. IF THAT FAILS, EXAMINE THE DOGGING MECHANISM AND THE WEDGE TO DETERMINE WHETHER ONE COMPONENT OR BOTH SHOULD BE REPLACED.
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IF THE RAISED LAND (SOMETIMES CALLED A "TELLTALE") ON ONE SIDE OF THE WEDGE IS WORN, CHANCES ARE THE HINGE PINS ON THE CLOSURE ARE WORN. THIS IS BECAUSE WEAR OF THE HINGE PINS CAUSES THE CLOSURE TO SHIFT AND THE DOGS WILL THEN ENGAGE THE WEDGE AT THE WRONG ANGLE. THE RAISED LAND ACTS AS A HOOK TO KEEP THE DOG FROM SLIPPING OFF THE WEDGE WHEN THE DOOR BOWS UNDER PRESSURE.
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WEDGES THAT ARE BOLTED OR RIVETED TO THE CLOSURE CAN COME LOOSE. GRASP EACH WEDGE AND TRY TO RATTLE IT BACK AND FORTH. IF A WEDGE IS LOOSE, TIGHTEN THE RIVETS OR BOLTS. TO TIGHTEN THE FASTENERS, REMOVE THE GASKET. IF THE WEDGE ATTACHMENT IS BY RIVET, SWAGE THE RIVETS WITH A BALL PEEN HAMMER. IF THE WEDGE ATTACHMENT IS BY BOLT OR SCREW, TIGHTEN THE BOLT OR SCREW.
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