Atera Strada DL3 missing part ?

[Sackmycook]

Just got back from a 2.5K trip to France.
Noticed the bike rack not sitting true at the back, a bit lopsided but everything working.
Just checked underneath and I believe one of the spring shutting mechanism has dropped off ? See photos, I think there should be one either side of the bar release ?
If its not too much trouble, could some check and confirm the 2 mechanism arrangement.
Thanks

 

[Steved55]

Just had a look at mine in the depths of a dirty dark garage - as best as I can see, there is only one return spring of the latch release bar but it definitely latches on both sides.

 

[Sackmycook]

Thanks Steve, I can't see how it would latch on the non spring side. The runner seems to come up short?

 

[Steved55]

Having looked at your pics again and zooming in, it looks like mine - the side without the return spring appears to be latched correctly around the stop when you zoom in. How much weight did you have on? Has the frame bent?

 

[Steved55]

Watch what happens when you close it and again when you release and open it - I think it's complete and latching both sides

 

[Sackmycook]

Having looked at your pics again and zooming in, it looks like mine - the side without the return spring appears to be latched correctly around the stop when you zoom in. How much weight did you have on? Has the frame bent?

2 pretty heavy e-bikes although with the batteries removed. Could well have bent something I'm guessing. Look a good inch from being square in the latched position

 

[Sackmycook]

Definitely only latching on the spring side

 

[Sackmycook]

Had a chance to have a good look at it and it's well out of kilter. Looks like the black Y frame underneath has bent. So it's going to be scrapped for parts I think.
Anyone after arms, feet, bars, lights etc from this, let me know and I'll come up with a price......

 

[Steved55]

Can't you get a bar in and straighten it out?

 

[JOG]

Can't you get a bar in and straighten it out?

Yep, give it a hoike back into place

 

[Steved55]

Just out of interest what sort of weight did you have on it? I ask because like you, I used mine for two trek e bikes less battery which is within the weight limit for the rack

 

[Sackmycook]

Not sure on the weight, guessing at least 25 kg each, although the batteries were removed.

So, I had (another) good look at it....

The frame is straight. It looked wonky as the second catch (the one without the springs) wasn't engaging. But I've discovered if I give it a push on that side, it will eventually lock and it all looks square then. Importantly, it's secure !

On the electrical side, I removed the two light assemblies and took off the lenses. Noted one of the lenses was cracked. Also a connector for one of the bulbs was off and the wire coating had melted and glued itself to the inside of the lens. After a bit of testing, decided to bin them and still getting intermittent faults on left indicator and no reverse illumination both sides. Plus I managed to superglue myself to part of the lens !!
In the bin they went, bulbs saved

I have a lightboard I'm going to use in conjuction with the "naked" bike rack, so all good in the end