Roof bar mounting stud

bongolow · Post by **bongolow** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:57 pm

Just removed my roof bars after a two week trip to Ireland and one of the threaded studs in the roof came out - guess I must have over-tightened it. Has anyone else had this problem and if so how did you fix it back in?

It seems to be just glued in, which is rather worrying - I would have expected something more substantial. Does anyone know if it should be held in some other way? I've had a look under the roof but can't see the underside of the stud holes without dismantling the lifting mechanism.

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:39 pm

...well the fabric mounting inserts on the other side are just glued in, so I guess it is not surprising.

Don't dis glue - modern adhesives can be as strong as mechanical joints. In this instance, saves having a hole through the AFT that could leak. Also the load will be downwards/backwards - in general that is, unless you fix something on the roof that generates lift on the bars/mounting points!

{edited - but you are Bongolow, so the remarks about an AFT don't apply}

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:00 pm

Are they really just held in with Glue?

If so I may need a re-think - I was planning on getting some roof bars this week for carrying my Surfboard which definitely generates lift

bongolow · Post by **bongolow** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:03 pm

but you are Bongolow, so the remarks about an AFT don't apply

Yes they do - I have an AFT. My surname is Lowe so bongolow seemed a good username when I signed up - not realising at the time that there was solid top version nicknamed a bongolow.

Thanks for the comment - any recommendation as to the type of adhesive to use? Would yer bog-standard epoxy-resin do the job?

bongolow · Post by **bongolow** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:05 pm

Are they really just held in with Glue?

I think so - I'll take some photos and post them later.

Indigo · Post by **Indigo** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:18 pm

MattK wrote:Are they really just held in with Glue?

If so I may need a re-think - I was planning on getting some roof bars this week for carrying my Surfboard which definitely generates lift

we have roof bars and a large roofbox permanently fitted to ours and *touch wood* no problems

you should be fine with a surfboard on there

bongolow · Post by **bongolow** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:26 pm

Here's a photo of the offending article - as you can see it seems to be held in just by a tiny ring of adhesive, which is a black rubbery substance.

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:22 pm

What Glue?

My neighbour, who is a mechanical fitter, swears by silicone for fixing things in that never want to be removed. They apparently fix safes into alcoves with it - stronger than wall anchors, he tells me. You would have to clean and degrease particularly thoroughly.

Otherwise No more nails type stuff? Or something like this?

maxheadroom · Post by **maxheadroom** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:02 pm

our 15 ton SWL overhead crane @ work has the fixing bolts in the floor glued in.

so if you get the right stuff you will be OK

keep the faith

Lewy · Post by **Lewy** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:07 pm

If so I may need a re-think - I was planning on getting some roof bars this week for carrying my Surfboard which definitely generates lift

Matt - don't think you'll have much trouble with your board on the roof mate I've had two or three on the top with no probs - with fins up should kinda push the board downwards anyway rather than causing lift?

BTW if you rig two tiedown straps across the two sets of grab handles in the inside of the van - get them nice and tight you can slide a board in a bag there no probs - won't take a long board up there don't think but my 7 2 fits there okay without the center fin in and can get people in the car too.

Longboard slides nicely on passenger side - lay front seat and middle seat left side flat - if travelling alone with a couple of boards that where I tend to stack 'em up - much easier than tying them onto the roof rack.

You probably know all this anyway - thought I'd mention it though.

vanvliet · Post by **vanvliet** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:25 pm

Great minds - - Lewy and PIAA multinational -
http://www.piaa.co.jp/carrier/inner_carrier/index.html

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:40 pm

Cheers lewy - what roof rack do you use?

I've reversed the middle bench in mine which means I can hang my short-board on edge using cargo straps put through the right hand side grab handles.

Works really nicely for my 6'8", but am thinking of joining the dark side and going long this summer so really need a roof rack.

vanvliet · Post by **vanvliet** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:01 pm

I would probably opt for araldite rather than silicon .
You have to be wary of using silicon sealant in certain applications because the acetic acid used in it can cause corrosion in steel.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:15 pm

Araldite (even rapid araldite) is great stuff. Even better if you can gt some is Stabilit Express (use Search to find previous debate about it). Degrease thoroughly and rough things up (including the metal insert with wet n dray). I dont think you'll have any problems

madmile · Post by **madmile** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:33 pm

On the basis that the glue looks black and rubbery, then why not try sikafelx - if its strong enough to hold high top roofs on campers it should do the trick, and has a bit of flex built in.