AFT roof question

[meplus5c]

Hi.

Sorry if these have been asked before. And please excuse the technical terminology I may use.

My AFT roof just closes, all the way without stopping in the middle. Pretty sure this isn't normal. Any ideas what it could be please?

It's also pretty creaky going up and down, I know I need to clean the silver bars (highly technical language) but do I lubricate these? If so with what? I'll also take apart and wd40 the white bits in the corners as I read on a different thread.

What should I use to clean the outside of the tent please?

Thanks so much.

[g8dhe]

The Gas struts - silver bars - are best just polished with a rag wrapped around them, the cylinder at the top has seals and oil inside which does the lubrication that is required - instructions specifically say DON'T lubricate
http://www.metrol.com/pdf/gas-strut-saf ... mation.pdf
As to not stopping on the way down, not heard of that before, but the stopping is triggered by a switch mounted on the nearside upper runner, so its possible that isn't being triggered in some way - not being pushed in or permanently operate.
The switch works as shown below;

and is mounted here;

[meplus5c]

Thanks for the helpful reply g8dhe. I have found the button and will have a fiddle about tomorrow after I go and borrow a stepladder as I'm a bit short to reach properly.

I went up in the AFT properly today and had a good look round. I have to give it a good clean tomorrow as it's a bit mouldy. But I noticed it looks like several screws are broken or have come undone. Will aim to add a photo below. Can anyone advise on what to do with these? Can I just screw them back in or will I need new ones? Thanks again for any help and advice.

[Gasy]

Think when them screws pop out they pull the threaded bit out with them
Loads just add a good strong glue and whack them back in

[meplus5c]

Lovely thanks Gasy I'll see what I can do with them, pretty sure I can manage some glue based diy. Anything above glue or tape is maybe pushing it but I'm determined to do as much as I can myself.

[Gasy]

Carnet remember what glue that use tho
And just in the holes I think
Someone will be along soon that knows

[BigPanzer]

Hi,

Not that I'm currently suffering from loose screws (?), but from what I've read on the subject, I think Araldite or some other good quality 2-part epoxy seems to be favourite.

Peter

[g8dhe]

Its best to release all the loose ones remove the threaded inserts and clean them up, you may need to release a couple of ones beyond the loose ones to do so. Then use a two part epoxy like Araldite quick setting, and apply some to the top of the insert, but NOT down the sides, when you push the inserts back into the holes the epoxy will spread down from the top expelling the air as it is inserted - if you put the epoxy around the sides of the insert then you will end up with air trapped behind the insert trying to push the insert back out and you will have difficulty keeping the inserts fully inserted - been there got the Tee shirt

[meplus5c]

Thanks for that guidance. I'll get that done at the weekend.

[Bongolia]

Thanks for that guidance. I'll get that done at the weekend.

Yup, as Geoff says.
I put couple of 4X2 stubs under the rail and carefully lowered the roof onto them leave it like that for as long as you are able. Problem sorted.

[Buz]

Hi everyone, first time posting & first time Ford Freda owner, hope someone can assist:

We recently bought a Ford Freda, everything fine except for the AFT roof. The roof will go up but to get it down the motors have to be disconnected half way. We have taken it to several local (trusted) mechanics & Auto electricians bu they have not been able to find the problem, partly due to lack of a diagram of the innards of the roof for them to work with.
Can anyone recommend next course of action - could it still be something simple or is it time to take it to a specialist? If so can anyone suggest a decent dealer (we live in Yorkshire)....

All offers of advice gratefully received.

Cheers

[Bob]

Have you pressed the switch up inside the roof?

Near the interior light.

You need to do this to 'Release' it and allow lowering.

The reason is so you check there's nothing left up there like a small child.

And welcome aboard.

[g8dhe]

The roof lowering will STOP at the halfway point, its a safety feature, to check inside that all is clear, just release and re-press the down button again.
To start the lowering at full height you press the release button as above on the AFT light.

[jimmo62]

I've got the usual problem with a few screws pulling out of the roof but I can't unscrew the screws from the threaded plugs - is there an easy way to glue the plugs back into the roof with the screws (and therefore roof) still attached?

Ta

jimmo

[g8dhe]

If you really can't get the screws loose then just coat the plugs with Araldite quick setting and then use a prop underneath the screw and lower the roof onto the prop to keep the plug in until its set, just take care to not overdo the lowering or use some form of adjustable prop to get sufficient pressure on the screw to hold it in place.