Raising roof after manual closing (having removed motors)

Dylan · Post by **Dylan** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 11:04 pm

Imagine, Glastonbury Monday morning, and the roof gets stuck up as we are desperately trying to get started on the 220 mile journey back home.

I followed the instructions in the manual for the manual lowering of the roof. Unzip tent, take off motor covers, remove the motors and pull down roof via roof arms with rope. It came down and we travelled home.

Inexplicably the motors for the roof now seem to be working ( I can hear them when I try the roof button, whereas before I couldn't) and now I need to put the motors back, but can't raise the roof up to put them back? It is either too heavy or locked down. Can I get at the roof arms by taking off the inside roof panels? I really don't want to go to a Mazda dealer as suggested in the manual.

Any thoughts or anwers would be much appreciated.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 11:14 pm

I remember speaking with Ian Taylor at Cheddleton (sells Bongos) and his lot are used to removing Bongo roofs. He's be a better and cheaper bet than a Mazda dealer, if it comes to dealers. Ian did say they were bl**dy heavy , but his workshop I think allows the use of a hoist etc.

Good luck whatever - cant have been much fun

Mike

AndAndDen · Post by **AndAndDen** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:46 pm

Hi Dylan, Firstly did you know you have to have the Handbrake on to Lower the roof. ( Not alot of Bongo Owners know this.)Reading through both of my Bongo manuals it tells you nothing of this procedure.Also did you know there is an Auto Free top Control unit.This unit is near the rear end of the vehicle behind the panel on the Drivers side.We had a similar problem, our mechanic had to wedge a piece of wood to hold the roof up, then put the bars back on the Runners plus the motors etc.Then the roof was lowered using the roof switch.( The normal way).Hope this is of some help.

Foz.Foz · Post by **Foz.Foz** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:26 pm

Dylan wrote:Imagine, Glastonbury Monday morning, and the roof gets stuck up as we are desperately trying to get started on the 220 mile journey back home.

Nearly had the same problem at the same place in the same rain lol. I ended up (praying first) then giving the roof 3 short tugs before it started to lower (much to the relief of all the passengers). Maybe the constant rain had something to do with it??. We were in E12 camper park
Just got to fit a new top hose that I've just ordered from Bongo bits after the old one gave up tonight after getting home from work

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:48 pm

Foz Foz you may have to bleed the system.

Foz.Foz · Post by **Foz.Foz** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:05 pm

Peg leg Pete wrote:Foz Foz you may have to bleed the system.

Yep, I'm guessing that I will have to do that. I'm just looking on the forum for slightly more detailed instructions on how to bleed the system. I've got the members fact sheet but don't own a manual so no pics to go by

Dylan · Post by **Dylan** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:18 pm

cheers all.

Yeah, knew about the handbrake etc. The thought of being able to get the roof high enough to wedge some wood underneath is great, but unfortunately the roof will not move upwards with just me trying.

Spoke to a Ian Taylor at the garage in Stafford today and he was really helpful. Apparently it takes at least four people to lift the roof and then you need to place cloth covered wooden blocks underneath to wedge it open whilst you try to lift it further.

Can't rest until it's sorted...... will keep you updated on progress.

Raising roof after manual closing (having removed motors)

Raising roof after manual closing (having removed motors)

Re: Raising roof after manual closing (having removed motors