Drawer Slide Latch Replacement

Several AT34’s have reported problems with various drawers opening while underway. i.e. not positively latching closed.

It looks like all these drawers (galley, pilothouse, under-berth etc) on the AT34 are made with drawer slides from 'Accuride'. (I’m not sure if AT41s use the same  slide). Accuride not only has an *Unlimited* lifetime warranty, but the most responsive technical support department I've ever dealt with!

Their contact info is:
www.accuride.com
Phone: 562-903-0200 
Fax:     562-903-0208
Email: technical@accuride.com

The Problem:

The problem is the plastic latching mechanism at the back of each slide. . Fortunately, it’s a replaceable part.

Photo 1: Drawer Slide.

This photo shows the back end of the complete drawer slide assembly. The replaceable latch is the black plastic thing in the middle.  The inner part on the right is attached to the drawer itself, and slides in-and-out.

The curved ramp in that inner slide engages with a plastic ‘nub’ that provides the latching force. The spring provides the last few inches of pull to the drawer.

OK, well that’s harder to describe than to actually fix……you have to see it to understand how it works.

On my boat the plastic nub had worn down and the drawer wouldn’t stay closed. I called Accuride, and they were happy to send me 6 of the latest design latches (they apparently had some material problems earlier).

They make 2 different versions: normal (black) and 'heavy-duty' (grey). On our boat there is an almost random mixture of the both of these on different drawers e.g. the small top galley drawer has heavy-duty latches, the larger lower 2 have standard latches.

I recommend the heavy-duty version – it has a stronger spring. It is grey, and the Accuride part number is 2336-3019-YE (be sure to specify the heavy-duty/grey version as they use the same part number for both).

Replacement:

Pull the offending drawer all the way out and take out all the really heavy stuff you shouldn’t have put there in the first place. There is a release catch on each side. Push ‘down’ on the right hand latch, and ‘up’ on the left hand latch (that’s because the 2 slides are identical, but installed 180 degrees apart).

Mark around the slide mounting brackets so you re-install them the same way – i.e. level.

There are probably 2 larger screws at the front, 2 smaller at the back.

I found it easiest to remove both slides, but only work on 1 at a time, so I had the other as reference when I screwed it up … (that’s one of the little-known advantages of boats that have twin engines.)

Photo 2: Installing the new latch – method 1

Squeeze the middle of the latch housing, and lift the housing up slightly, enough to clear the holding tabs on the cabinet member. Slide the housing out toward the back of the cabinet member.

Photo 3: Installing the new latch – method 2

If the drawer has a mounting bracket behind it (as above) you have to pry the 2 tabs on one side away from the slide, and remove it to the side.

To Replace - squeeze the middle of the housing and insert the two front legs of the housing into the rear of the cabinet member. Slide all four legs of the latch housing into the cabinet member until the legs drop into the notch between the holding tabs.

Again, if there is a bracket in the way, insert one side under the lip of the slide, then tilt the latch into place, and snap down the other 2 tabs.

 I put a little silicone lube on the spring, but I doubt that is necessary.

 Put it all back together, then open a beer.

Jeremy Bell AT34-#48 "Tardis"