Gas strut on pop roof pulled out of fibreglass

[Smiffy5.1]

The gas strut fixing has pulled out of the fibreglass on my pop roof, does anyone have any bright ideas about re attaching it? I was thinking a metal fixing plate if there is such a thing? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[PhillH]

What about bolting through the pop top with a plate on the inside of the pop top or big penny washers. Some clear silicone in between to seal it

 

[Sasquatch]

That is uber crap. Those captive nuts should have been on a plate to spread the load. Id look at fibreglassing in such a plate myself.

 

[Badjamin]

Those T nuts were on the wrong way round.. they arent supposed to be used that way round... sheesh. Fibreglassing in a metal plate as.mentioned above, would be my first choice.

 

[DXX]

Definitely use a doubler plate inside the same dimensions as the outer plate with a weather proof sealer in between.
The other side will need the same.
Do you know the roof manufacturer, it would help others rectify the issue before it happens?

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

I don’t see why sikaflexing a metal plate to the outside with screws in the corners or bolts if you can then bolting the plates together wouldn’t work.

 

[Badjamin]

I think photos of the un bust side would be a good start. It needs a plate installing on both sides of the van to reinforce where both rams should attach is the advice i believe DXX was givng

 

[DXX]

It would only be as strong as the gel coat / paint / badly laid FG mat that it’s attached to

 

[Smiffy5.1]

Thanks for all the responses. I will take some more pic of the un bust side tomorrow and try and find some maker details.

 

[Smiffy5.1]

So here’s a pic of the un bust side!! Unfortunately I can’t find the name of the manufacturer.

As was mentioned I’m going to use two plates and bolts either side of the roof on both sides of the van to strengthen and hope that works.

Thanks for the help

 

[Badjamin]

Right. So the t-nuts are banged into wood and then fiber glassed over the top and struts bolted on... or are those PZ3 screw heads?That's not ideal. I suppose the pulling force from the struts shouldn't affect the t-nuts...

Anyway, I feel we all condone your strategy, plates are the best choice. Smear some black sikaflex or summat underneath for good measure and she'll be right.

 

[Badjamin]

Also, do you or your kids sit up there and use the struts to lean on? that'd cause that dumb fixng design to fail like that.

 

[mondray]

The pozi drive screws on the other side don't look right.......... Id say the "good" side has had a repair before.

On your broken side, clean up the holes and fill with epoxy.
Then fit a plate that covers the whole pad and mount the strut base on top.

I'd do the other side too before it ends up the same.

 

[DXX]

The odd thing is that the photo shows a square recess in the GRP so it appears that the designed intended to use a larger mounting plate.

 

[Smiffy5.1]

Thanks all I’ll let you know how it goes.