roof screws comming undone!!

nattydread · Post by **nattydread** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:00 pm

Hi,
After a close inspection and a cold nights sleep i noticed that in the top tent in the inside of the roof some of the screws have come out of where the material connects to the rising roof, thus leaving a bit of an airgap. About 4 have come loose and it looks loke the fictures have come unstuck!!
I was going to glue the fixturs back in place but in order to get a tight fit like the others it need to be screwed in.
any ideas or help on where to get some new fixings would make me a very happy bongo owner

Thanks

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:19 pm

Hi
Haven't come across your problem but somebody probably has, so you'll get a reply soon.
By the way, have a look at this thread http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... hp?t=10536 . it helps members to help you if we know where you are.
Good luck

nattydread · Post by **nattydread** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:21 pm

location added, maby some pics might be of help.....

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:33 pm

Been discussed before if you can find hte thread. Cant remember what was said. I'd be inclined to try putting 5 min araldite in the holes, wiping vaseline or oil onto the screws and screwing them in gently (dont tighten) then the Araldite has gone off so its plasticky but not rock hard. Some while later when it is hard, you can try it out to see if the screws hold when tightened (but dont tighten to much). An alternative might be to plug with Araldite (or Stabilit - even better, do a search on BF to find discussion on that) and drill a pilot hole for screwing in to once its hard.

Others may have different views etc.

Good luck

Mike

Bingabanga · Post by **Bingabanga** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:14 pm

Halo We have been this way before. They are not screws they are plastic strips with moulded screw heads and you CANNOT do them up. They should be glued back into the holes. Sumetimes just banging them back works but generally they come out again without a suitable adhesive. Have another look at them they are just too perfect!!

madmile · Post by **madmile** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:46 pm

Sorry Bingabanga, but they are not plastic strips - I know they are difficult to budge, but they are indeed metal screws fixed through an alloy strip into alloy inserts that are glue into the roof . The inserts are prone to comming loose and there is no easy way to refix apart from doing a 'proper job'. Due to the tension on the roof and the need to get access to the inserts that have come loose, the best way is to unscrew about 3 or 4 either side of the offending insert. Use a very new and good quality screwdriver that is the exact fit - possibly even an attachment for a ratchet so you can apply a lot of downward / upward force as well as turning the screw head. Then take out the loose insert completely - clean up and add araldidte - push completely home and wait until it dries before refixing the tent. By taking several out either side it stops you bending the alloy strip that holds the roof up. I agree that adding a bit of lubricant to the screw would be a good idea. I did one this way a couple of years back and it took an hour or two to refit about 7 in all. Never had a problem since.

Foz.Foz · Post by **Foz.Foz** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:53 pm

I "popped" a couple the other week when I forgot to take the drive away awning off before going out for the day

will watch this thread for the best way of fixing it

Post by **westonwarrior** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:08 pm

I "popped" a couple the other week when I forgot to take the drive away awning off before going out for the day
will watch this thread for the best way of fixing it

How far did you get before realising?

Foz.Foz · Post by **Foz.Foz** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:13 pm

when the mrs shouted " STOP you stupid f*****"

Malc Mitchell · Post by **Malc Mitchell** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:37 pm

I had this problem to - Those screws are very tough to shift and the best tool to use is a small ratchet that can take those small screwdriver inserts - use a new diamond coated philips insert which will help to prevent the dreaded 'cam-out'
Malc.

Josh N Sarah · Post by **Josh N Sarah** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:16 pm

We've heard of people driving off with the electric hook up attached but not the awning!!

A couple of our inserts have come out of the holes at the back on the right hand side. Don't really understand how to fix it so will have to put up with cold feet for now

Foz.Foz · Post by **Foz.Foz** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 11:08 pm

Josh N Sarah wrote:We've heard of people driving off with the electric hook up attached but not the awning!!

wasn't exactly driving off.... just lowering the roof before we detached the awning to drive off.

phedders · Post by **phedders** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:19 am

Josh N Sarah wrote:We've heard of people driving off with the electric hook up attached but not the awning!!

For that very reason I tend to have the electric hookup cable draped over the drivers side mirror... nice visual reminder as I get in the cab...

pippin · Post by **pippin** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:56 am

Exactly what I do phedders!

Otherwise it might have been a close call quite a few times!

Foz.Foz · Post by **Foz.Foz** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:48 pm

Top idea. Will have to get in the habit of doing that. My excuse is that it was the first time we had used the bongo/awing, and it was early in the morning

roof screws comming undone!!

roof screws comming undone!!

Roof Screws