Loft Ladder Breaking

anotheruser

So I have a loft ladder that stores in the loft.
It always comes apart at the guide that pushes it in and out of the loft.




The black bit on the end shoots off.

Is there something I can do to join each side of the ladder to it?
I was thinking something like a nut but there'd be nowhere for the bolt to go.

Thanks!

nofoollikeold

Wedge a piece of wood between the metal rods between the sides of the ladder?

Murmansk

If you look for "starlock washers" on Ebay, of the appropriate size, push one of those down the metal wire where the rubber cap was.

I think the rubber cap is just to stop the end of the wire injuring someone - not to keep the wire in place.

You really need an old fashioned hardware shop where you can buy a couple of them in different sizes as you're bound to find it tricky to get the exact right size - I certainly did anyway!

Failing that, slide the nut you mentioned, or indeed a washer, down the wire and put a big blob of epoxy resin glue on the wire to hold it in place.

molerat

Agreed star washers should have been fitted, all the brands I have seen have them.

anotheruser

Thanks.
I guess the size would be the diameter of the wire rod?

I've noticed most come with the serrated edge on the outside. I assume it would then eat into the ladder to stop the rod? What would stop the rod just pushing through the middle of the washer?

Screwfix have a load, but there is a local hardware shop that I might be able to buy less for less as I don't need 100!

I might try a combination of them and glued washers anyway just to give twice the power.

Norman_Castle

A jubilee clip around the rubber end cap might work.

Murmansk

anotheruser wrote: »

What would stop the rod just pushing through the middle of the washer?

The "teeth" of the starlock washer are designed to let it be pushed onto the rod but not to move in the other direction

Murmansk

Norman_Castle wrote: »

A jubilee clip around the rubber end cap might work.

I've never seen a Jubilee clip that small!

Norman_Castle

Murmansk wrote: »

I've never seen a Jubilee clip that small!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Water-Joint-Clamps-6-12mm-Silver/dp/B00HUHBXNO/ref=pd_sbs_60_t_2/260-7067035-3041737?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00HUHBXNO&pd_rd_r=def568de-b08b-41a0-95ee-878684a7043b&pd_rd_w=dTRuG&pd_rd_wg=4GnaA&pf_rd_p=e44592b5-e56d-44c2-a4f9-dbdc09b29395&pf_rd_r=FBFHSKC63Y7ZAJQMA5K2&psc=1&refRID=FBFHSKC63Y7ZAJQMA5K2