Make sure that the vertical arms of the awning are perfectly parallel to each other and adjust them by hand if you have to. They should be equally spaced from each other along their entire length. The arms and the awning bar should make 90-degree angles where they meet. Lay the speed square on the corners of the arms and the awning bar to check to check if they form a 90-degree angle. The speed square is triangular shaped so the top triangle should be positioned on the corner and the side edges should be along the arms and the awning bar.
Extend the awning out all the way and secure the tension spring with a cotter pin. The pin will go through one tiny hole on the top of each of the end caps on the ends of the bar.
Turn the central shaft inside the awning bar counterclockwise until the holes inside are lined up with the small holes on the end caps. Insert the cotter pins and bend the tops with pliers to hold them in place.
Remove the awning bar from the side of the RV and slide the end of the canvas off the track at the end. You will need to unscrew the RV mounts with a screwdriver and pull the canvas from the arms holding it out.
Place a vice grip on the tension tube extending out of the ends caps and turn them counterclockwise until the end caps release from the bar. Keep a note of how many times you have turned the grips.
Drill out the rivets holding the end caps on. There will probably be two on each side and you will need to use a power drill to open them up. Pull the end caps off the awning bar and set it aside. This will bring the springs out with them.
Remove the awning cord holding the canvas in place inside the awning bar. You should be able to just pull it out, unless there is a screw holding it in place in the middle. If there is, remove it with a screwdriver and slide the cord out.
Feed the cord of the new awning through the awning bar. Make sure it is straight and flat as you pass it through the bar.
Put back the end caps into the awning bar and insert new rivets into the holes where you drilled out the old ones. Use a riveter to insert and lock the rivets. Turn the tension tube clockwise as many turns as you turned it to release the end cap. You need to make the same number of turns or you will interfere with the tension springs.
Have a few friends hold up the awning bar above the arms of the awning while you pass the end through the track. This is the end of the canvas that comes out of the bar.
Mount the bar back onto the side of your RV. Slide the awning bar onto the side of the RV and turn the central shaft clockwise to secure the bar in place. Check the orientation of the arms and the awning bar as you did before you removed it.
