O dear O dear, what have I done!!

[diggs31]

O dear, done a really stupid thing today and don't know where to start in getting it sorted so any advice or help will be very welcome.
I had my roof box on (with gear in but only wet suits) and wanted to air the roof space so instead of taking it off I gently helped the roof to lift up..all was well at this point. When lowering the roof though the beeping stoped almost immediately but the roof still was comin down, I was gently helping it from inside but something didn't feel right, then I heard the fibreglass splintering down the sides so I pushed the roof back up and proped it. On inspection ive bowed and split the roof fibreglass on both sides about level with the mechanism housing bolts. I dont know much about fibreglass but i guess this is repairable, the bigger problem is although the roof mechanism still works (phew) when it reaches the top it doesn't lock out, it jolts and then the roof comes down. I have looked to see if something has snapped off or bolts have come away or something obvious but can't see anything.
I realise without seeing its hard to determine the problem so does anyone know where I could take it to be looked at in the North West area? and does anyone know a good fibreglass fella?
pretty fed up as you can imagine, so thanks for any help
Fraser

[westonwarrior]

Mike will be along son with a good recomendation as he had roof problems and knows of a good man for the job

Also its worth noting that a member has a breaker in the breaking bongos section with an exelent roof so may be worth seeing how much they want for it before trying to get yours repaired.

you never know.

[diggs31]

Thanks,
just had another look and realised as the roof is ascending all the mechanisms are working fine, nothing is out of place, however as I have folded and split the fibreglass on the side of the aft the rigidity has been lost and essentially iv broke its back at the point of the rear roof bar, although it hasn't split along the top of the roof, just the sides, this is causing the front part of the roof to angle down (only very slightly) and I think the mechanism is struggling to overcome this and lock out.
Could be a new roof or maybe just needs its rigidity back,
Thanks

[Velocette]

Thanks,
just had another look and realised as the roof is ascending all the mechanisms are working fine, nothing is out of place, however as I have folded and split the fibreglass on the side of the aft the rigidity has been lost and essentially iv broke its back at the point of the rear roof bar, although it hasn't split along the top of the roof, just the sides, this is causing the front part of the roof to angle down (only very slightly) and I think the mechanism is struggling to overcome this and lock out.
Could be a new roof or maybe just needs its rigidity back,
Thanks

A boatbuilder might be worth trying possibly.

[missfixit70]

It's more that just fibreglass I believe, there are metal reinforcements in there as well running the length (from seeing the remnants of Allans chopped up pickup AFT) If it's bent, it may be better to try & source a replacement from a breaker.
Adrian at Bury seems to know his way around the roofs by all accounts.

[diggs31]

ok thanks,
iv checked again and everything is working ok, it is just the fact that the roof is kinking slightly, not sure if a metal plate rivoted on the inside will brace it but might be worth a shot before I go down the new roof ave. Is taking the roof off and replacing it a massive job or is it straight forward to someone who knows how to do it?
Thanks Fraser

[g8dhe]

There have been some repairs made in the past and a couple of good threads on various motor problems;
Motor problems and weight factor of roof - its heavy! http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 42#p312842
Repair of fibreglass etc here http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 99#p492399

[Rhod]

One of the good things about fibreglass is that it's relatively easy to repair & the repair can exceed the original strength.
If I'm reading your post correctly, then the main part of the roof doesn't appear to be damaged, but the sides have buckled & split? As far as I know there are no metal reinforcements along the sides of the roof. If you can build up the inside of the damaged areas with fibreglass tape & resin then you should be able to restore the rigidity ok. The problem is going to be getting the sides straight & unloaded while you do the repair. Ideally the roof needs to be removed, or possibly supported from above somehow using the lifting points/ roof bar mountings - but that's likely to prove difficult in practice!. Possibly a jack & a length of timber between the front of the van roof & the front of the AFT while it's raised might work. However, the other difficulty is going to be getting a good finish to the gel-coat repair on the outside of the roof & getting a good colour match. I had to repair a small section towards the rear of the nearside. While effective, there is an obvioius colour difference. If you want a good quality "invisible" repair, then I suspect that it's going to be expensive. It may well be worth sourcing a good second-hand roof as compared to spending money on an imperfect repair done in situ.

[scanner]

maybe just needs its rigidity back,

Some chap from a Pharmacy in Canada was offering tablets that can do that.

[diamond]

Wheelquick at wigan tel 01942 217800 (wn5 8dj google map) hope this helps. neil

[321Away]

seen this done a few times, as said its just fibreglass and its only the vertical sides, in the past the local bodyshop has just fibreglassed (inside) bits of metal, only 30cm or so and filled and repainted outside

Julian

[diggs31]

Thanks all, gonna try to restrengthen with alu strips on the inside then if that works get the fibreglass looked at.
fraser

[missfixit70]

Keep us posted & good luck sorting it.
May be worth checking all the fixing bolts are tight on the motors, hinges etc, just wondering whether it twisted a bit causing it to go?

[The Great Pretender]

I don't have a free top but I do have experience making moulds and more. I wouldn't put it up anymore as all you will do is introduce more stress and a bigger problem.
I'm reasonably local, junction 27 M6 Wigan, if you want advice I may be able to help.
PM me your landline number if you want my assistance.