Page 1 of 2
My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 12:38 pm
by AJCIOW
My roof is broken, it looks like it has a carriage missing and someone has dismantled the mechanism. I think all the rest of the stuff is there but i don't know how it goes back together. It also pops up if I go to fast, I guess that it locks down via the lifting struts. Is there anyone with pics, vid or lives on the Isle of Wight who can show me how it works.
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 12:49 pm
by g8dhe
The Lush projects site will help if you haven't seen one before, but I suspect you will need to look at a working one for all the details;
http://www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsm ... 2of02.html
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 1:25 pm
by 321Away
the arms that move backwards have a pair of wheels that are just below the actual runner mechanism in the roof, its these that 'lock' the roof down, as they push into the black objects at the front of the runners fitted on the vehicle roof,if you look they're like inverted ski ramps, the wheels go in then follow the slope down which squeezes the roof shut. Have to say trying to re-assemble a roof mechanism without prior knowledge and all the necessary will be fairly tricky!
Julian
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 4:07 pm
by mikeonb4c
AJCIOW wrote:My roof is broken, it looks like it has a carriage missing and someone has dismantled the mechanism. I think all the rest of the stuff is there but i don't know how it goes back together. It also pops up if I go to fast, I guess that it locks down via the lifting struts. Is there anyone with pics, vid or lives on the Isle of Wight who can show me how it works.
Where are you based? Might be best if a Bongo specialist looks at it
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 5:30 pm
by rita
mikeonb4c wrote:AJCIOW wrote:My roof is broken, it looks like it has a carriage missing and someone has dismantled the mechanism. I think all the rest of the stuff is there but i don't know how it goes back together. It also pops up if I go to fast, I guess that it locks down via the lifting struts. Is there anyone with pics, vid or lives on the Isle of Wight who can show me how it works.
Where are you based? Might be best if a Bongo specialist looks at it
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:00 pm
by mikeonb4c
rita wrote:mikeonb4c wrote:AJCIOW wrote:My roof is broken, it looks like it has a carriage missing and someone has dismantled the mechanism. I think all the rest of the stuff is there but i don't know how it goes back together. It also pops up if I go to fast, I guess that it locks down via the lifting struts. Is there anyone with pics, vid or lives on the Isle of Wight who can show me how it works.
Where are you based? Might be best if a Bongo specialist looks at it
You know, I looked and looked and still didn't see that
Oh well, can't think of any specialist within inexpensive range of them
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 7:33 pm
by AJCIOW
Cheers, i t sounds like a bit of a job, i am quite handy if i can find out how things work but at the minute it is like a mecano set. I am in the Isle of Wight, are there any specialists on the Island, Portsmouth or Southampton? also i need the nearside carriage, which is the best place to find one.
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:22 pm
by Triple/R
AJCIOW wrote:Cheers, i t sounds like a bit of a job, i am quite handy if i can find out how things work but at the minute it is like a mecano set. I am in the Isle of Wight, are there any specialists on the Island, Portsmouth or Southampton? also i need the nearside carriage, which is the best place to find one.
Sorry if i'm seem to be a bit thick
~did you actually buy it in this condition??
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:56 pm
by flossie
There is a dealer in the Southampton area with a less than favourable history previously and recently documented on here (no names mentioned though so just be careful
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 10:03 am
by 321Away
if you post some pics we can give you some advice! or even post back pics of what it should look like!
Julian
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 1:23 pm
by mikeonb4c
321Away wrote:if you post some pics we can give you some advice! or even post back pics of what it should look like!
Julian
A great offer. Ironically, 321Away would be (one of) your nearest specialists should you be able to get there (combine it with a camping trip or summat?)
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 1:08 pm
by AJCIOW
I did buy it like this, it was a bargain though so don't mind. I don't have any pics at the mo, it is a struggle to get the roof up and support it but i think i have come up with a way. The weather is'nt helping as i have to work on it outside. From the helpfull posts i may have sussed it out. I think that the gas struts help the roof go up, hence they have been unbolted. The arms that i see has two nylon wheels on and thanks to 321away i think i know how these work to lift and lock the roof.
The next thing is to track down the missing carrier / runner. The electrics don't work, again i guess they have been disabled. Does anyone know where the fuse / relay / control unit is. I would imagine that one ofe these has been removed / disconnected.
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 2:17 pm
by teenmal
AJCIOW wrote:I did buy it like this, it was a bargain though so don't mind. I don't have any pics at the mo, it is a struggle to get the roof up and support it but i think i have come up with a way. The weather is'nt helping as i have to work on it outside. From the helpfull posts i may have sussed it out. I think that the gas struts help the roof go up, hence they have been unbolted. The arms that i see has two nylon wheels on and thanks to 321away i think i know how these work to lift and lock the roof.
The next thing is to track down the missing carrier / runner. The electrics don't work, again i guess they have been disabled. Does anyone know where the fuse / relay / control unit is. I would imagine that one ofe these has been removed / disconnected.
Hi AJCIOW,the control unit is behind the o/s rear side panel.
You might be able to see it if you take the cubby hole out.
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 2:31 pm
by New Forest Terrier
The only local breaker I know of is Southern Bongos in North Badesley nr Southampton. If you know exactly what you are looking for they could be OK.
Bellhill and Bongobits are knowledgeable and helpful.
Re: My Auto free Top is in bits
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 6:47 pm
by g8dhe
The wiring diagram is here and the locations are on the next page, hover your mouse over the Fuses for locations;
