Roof tent fixings

[oliver]

Just popped up my roof and noticed 3 of the screws securing the tent to the plastic hard-top have popped out, including plastic inserts.
Questions....

1. Is the plastic insert part of the hard top, or some kind of expanding fixing that can easily be replaced ? (if so, any ideas where I can get ?)

2. I am struggling to get the screws out due to the plastic insert being attached and limited access.....is it a good idea to remove more screws to provide more working space ?

Many thanks

[francophile1947]

Never done it myself, but I'm pretty sure others have Araldited them back in.

[oliver]

Thanks....yes just been tracking back through forum...seems to be a common problem and this appears to be the solution.
I have managed to get most of the screws out of the inserts apart from back left corner which is completely stuck. I will try alraditing insert with screw still in place for this one and will wedge tent with a piece of wood until dry. I have lowered roof slightly to reduce strain on the tent.

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks....yes just been tracking back through forum...seems to be a common problem and this appears to be the solution.
I have managed to get most of the screws out of the inserts apart from back left corner which is completely stuck. I will try alraditing insert with screw still in place for this one and will wedge tent with a piece of wood until dry. I have lowered roof slightly to reduce strain on the tent.

Interested in how you got on as I have a few loose ones too but couldn't get screws to undo without risk of burring the screwheads. I have an impact screwdriver but I'm not sure that is suitable for trying on the screws either as the blow would probably shatter things

[g8dhe]

Huh, they all pop out at the same time it seems! Just been out to shut up our roof after doing some work on the Bongo and guess what 3 of ours have also popped out as well

Sounds like we have all caught the AFT pop-out virus

[mikeonb4c]

Huh, they all pop out at the same time it seems! Just been out to shut up our roof after doing some work on the Bongo and guess what 3 of ours have also popped out as well

Sounds like we have all caught the AFT pop-out virus

We'll have to keep in touch on this one then

[Doone]

Madmile knows all about these screws and put some details HERE and HERE that may help you. He may also spot this thread and be along to help.

[dandywarhol]

I used quick setting araldite and gently lowered the roof onto a wood block to keep them in position til it set - been fine for 2 years now.

[madmile]

Just spotted it Doone .
The last one I had was a customers vehicle - I noticed it had popped a few along the side and back.
I adopted a slightly different approach which seemed to work. I used a screw driver (important to use the larger size phillips (not pozi)). The lugs really didnt seem to want to come off the screws, and as the vehicle was not mine I didnt want to risk damage. I used the screw driver to gently twist the screws and lugs and pulled free all that were loose. Then glued each one individually - twisting and pushing up with the screw driver until home. Then wedged the appropriate point with a peice of wood.
It helps to drop the roof part way to take some tension out of the tent.
Leave for a few hours for the araldite to go off, and very very important - DO NOT LOWER THE ROOF WITH WEDGES IN PLACE .

Dandy beat me too it

[dandywarhol]

Your right Ed - I forgot I wedged the star screwdriver with the wood to set the screws

Can't even remember wot I had for my dinner tonight................

[mikeonb4c]

Great advice and thanks+++. I think I probably didn't have a very good screwdriver head when I tried it, but I now have one of those that came with several different heads, so may try again. If I can get the lugs to come loose I can then Rapid Araldite as per.

Thanks again.

Mike

[dandywarhol]

Don't need the screws to come out Mike - just glue the whole plot back into the roof.

[mikeonb4c]

Don't need the screws to come out Mike - just glue the whole plot back into the roof.

Yup, got that. It sounded though as though the screws might persuade the plastic lugs to turn with them and thus help me to withdraw from their lugholes (!) so I could smear Araldite on them before stuffing them back in. Have I got that right?

[dandywarhol]

Yup

[g8dhe]

Well had ago at ours today, I noticed that the screws have a red paste on the threads so I guess its an anti-vibration gunge it seems to be that which makes the screws difficult to remove the first time as well. Anyway glued the inserts back in and just waiting for the "araldite" to go off (hoping that the age of it isn't to old, haven't used it for a while!).

I can't see any plastic inserts that your talking about mikeon4bc or are you referring to the ones on the lower frame going into the vehicle roof, they seem to be the srcivet type ?