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Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 6:16 pm
by missfixit70
Got a couple of samples today from the Rubber Trim guys,

This one is T110
Image

This is T109
Image

The seal itself looks like it'll do the job on both (if you check the dimensions of the actual seal bits), but the bit that grips onto the AFT isn't quite so tall, it looks like it'll grip on ok, but you'll possibly be left with a grubby line (which may Tcut off?) Don't know what prices 'll be yet.
Had a better attempt at measuring, comes in somewhere between 8 & 8.5m, I reckon 9metres will give you plenty of leeway.
Hoping for a drier day tomorrow & I'll try & see how well it fits & how the seals looks compressed in place.

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 11:20 pm
by rev pete
It looks like t110 might be best but the piping is not as big but then the original might be a bit swollen. I will see how you get on and if its no go I can contact wheel quick and see if they have a supplier if you like. Hope all goes well.Thanks for the information [-o<

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 11:21 pm
by missfixit70
Don't think the original is swollen, it's just different. The main difference is the size of the bit that grips onto the AFT.
Try WQ by all means, always good to compare options, carry on :wink:

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 1:35 pm
by mikeonb4c
You've done a stunning job on this one Kirsty. The outcome of this could be a major boon in keeping old Bongos in good health =D> =D> =D>

Maybe Ian will jump in once we've zeroed in on makes the best replacement and get the company to supply kitted lengths which he can sell (at a reasonable price [-o< ) in the Bongo Shop with fitting instructions for members :roll:

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 4:49 pm
by missfixit70
Don't think you'd really need instructions, old stuff off, clean up the edge & new stuff on (possibly with a bit of sticky stuff?) :wink: I think we're going to struggle to get an exact match TBH though.

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:00 am
by mikeonb4c
missfixit70 wrote:Don't think you'd really need instructions, old stuff off, clean up the edge & new stuff on (possibly with a bit of sticky stuff?) :wink: I think we're going to struggle to get an exact matc TBH though.
fingers crossed [-o<

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:27 pm
by missfixit70
Still bl**dy raining, haven't been able to check it yet :roll:

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 1:44 am
by rev pete
I still think that you are brilliant in sorting the problem when I keep forgetting to ring Wheel quick untill its to late in the day Thanks a million for all that you are doing =D>

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 2:34 pm
by missfixit70
Might be worth somebody trying JAL, they fit a whole bunch of new roofs to bongos, they must be using a very similar seal - http://www.jalimports.co.uk/motorhome.html

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:03 am
by missfixit70
T109 in situ
rear, roof up
Image

rear roof down
Image

side, roof down
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T110 in situ
rear, roof up
Image

rear, roof down
Image

side, roof down
Image

Neither of them made a very positive seal, especially T110,
As you can see compared to the original
Image

Image

The fact that the original is skewed to one side is what makes it seal properly, especially on the sides.

The search goes on?

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:22 am
by mikeonb4c
Great testing work there Kirsty, even if results are not that encouraging (although the first one looked to be not TOO bad). The search continues. You'd think the supplier would be interested in a potential new market and might help with the search. :roll:

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:48 am
by missfixit70
To be honest, the rubber seal guys seemed reluctant to send out any samples at all, I wasn't happy cutting my seal to provide a sample, as it may well be months before I get around to sorting it , so eventually after several emails having sent them the photo of the profile & dimensions, that's the best two samples thwey could come up with.
I think pursuing the angle of asking all the various bods that have fitted aftermarket roofs is probably more sensible, as they've already found sumat that works, so over to whoever fancies doing that, I got a bongo to get on with :wink:

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 10:58 am
by mikeonb4c
missfixit70 wrote:To be honest, the rubber seal guys seemed reluctant to send out any samples at all, I wasn't happy cutting my seal to provide a sample, as it may well be months before I get around to sorting it , so eventually after several emails having sent them the photo of the profile & dimensions, that's the best two samples thwey could come up with.
I think pursuing the angle of asking all the various bods that have fitted aftermarket roofs is probably more sensible, as they've already found sumat that works, so over to whoever fancies doing that, I got a bongo to get on with :wink:
Quite right - don't blame you. I wonder if Bongomeister PLC might get one of their agents onto it as something that ultimately would make a useful addition to their product list :roll:

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 7:14 pm
by cbeeson
Had my Bongo for 6 months, also in need of Free Top seal. I've come across a possible part at Woolies, the car trim suppliers.

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/p-1296-boot-seal.aspx

It appears to have the offset, and be about the right size; but isn't quite the same profile as the original, having the tubing part on a short stem. But if it works.....

I've contacted them to confirm the offset - it shows up on web site photos, but not on the drawing in their printed catalogue. Maybe I can get a sample - I'll report back here.

Chris

Re: Bongo Free Top weather seal.

Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 7:40 pm
by g8dhe
This company http://www.rubbertrim.co.uk/ Edgware Motor rubber & trim do a good selection and the
T58R on the wall chart;
Image
or the T109;
Image
look possibilities but whilst the wall chart says the images are full size I think I would want a sample to try first!

Actually these look similar especially the T109 to what Kirsty tried but maybe this company will be more cooperative ?