Pop top strap brackets

[Ian09]

Does anyone know how these are bolted on and what to? One of mine has a bit of movement in it, nothing major and it doesn’t sit straight when roof is strapped down as that side needs to be quite tight for the roof to be fully closed. Planning to get it checked out at some point but trying to figure out if i should be worried about it or not.

 

[BikerPa]

They look like nut head self drilling/threading ‘Tek’ screws.
They will be through the reinforcing frame that is fitted around the roof cutout

 

[DXX]

Not sure which roof but more than likely into a strip of soft timber. TEK screws are OK but you might find something more secure. Be careful as the more times a screw is removed and refitted the less secure it will become.
From the photo it looks like the straps are horizontal, they should be vertical to secure the roof.

 

[Jimmmmy]

Nothing to worry about, same as mine and lots of others, they are super secure.

 

[AJCConversions]

It screws into this reinforcement frame.
The bracket should not really move even when strapping down tight.

 

[L Haldane]

Same issue but the screws have actually come out on one of the brackets . The other seems solid. Any ideas how I can fix this? Was hoping I could diy it as finances are really tight just now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. (I suspect the conversion company were a bit dodgy as we had a few issues with other aspects of the van, but we’ve had it 3 years now and wouldn’t go back to them as they were very unhelpful sadly)

 

[DXX]

Does anyone know how these are bolted on and what to? One of mine has a bit of movement in it, nothing major and it doesn’t sit straight when roof is strapped down as that side needs to be quite tight for the roof to be fully closed. Planning to get it checked out at some point but trying to figure out if i should be worried about it or not.

View attachment 212912

View attachment 212913

The strap in the second photo definitely isn’t tight.
The straps are only securing the roof if the strap is vertical, diagonal loading isn’t securing the load.

 

[BikerPa]

Same issue but the screws have actually come out on one of the brackets . The other seems solid. Any ideas how I can fix this? Was hoping I could diy it as finances are really tight just now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. (I suspect the conversion company were a bit dodgy as we had a few issues with other aspects of the van, but we’ve had it 3 years now and wouldn’t go back to them as they were very unhelpful sadly)

View attachment 243721

If a larger nut head bolt won’t fit through the bracket I’d think fitting rivnuts into the reinforcing frame for the existing bolts would be the way forward

 

[L Haldane]

Thanks for this. I’m absolutely clueless in all honesty, so I’ve googled rivnuts. Sounds like it’s not a straightforward process. Any hints or tips? Should I try installing a slightly larger nut head bolt first and see if that holds?

 

[BikerPa]

1st thing to do is to determine what material they are screwing into (metal or wood) & why they won’t re tighten & hold.

Then yes a slightly larger diameter bolt or Tek-screw would be the first thing to try (if it will fit through the bracket eye) & it’s into metal, but I would be surprised if it will TBH judging by the picture.

Fitting rivnuts requires a bigger hole for the current sized bolt (even than trying a slightly larger bolt or tek -screw)so will require drilling out to them fit them

 

[L Haldane]

1st thing to do is to determine what material they are screwing into (metal or wood) & why they won’t re tighten & hold.

Then yes a slightly larger diameter bolt or Tek-screw would be the first thing to try (if it will fit through the bracket eye) & it’s into metal, but I would be surprised if it will TBH judging by the picture.

Fitting rivnuts requires a bigger hole for the current sized bolt (even than trying a slightly larger bolt or tek -screw)so will require drilling out to them fit them

 

[L Haldane]

Thanks so much for the advice. That’s very helpful. As I said, I’m completely new to this. Hoping to have a look later today and will post more pics if I get stuck! Hoping we can sort it as really can’t afford taking it to a professional just now, but will do if necessary as I don’t want to risk driving if it’s not safe. Really appreciate your advice.

 

[L Haldane]

Thanks for the advice - the Rivnuts sorted it out! Really appreciated.

 

[Ian09]

The strap in the second photo definitely isn’t tight.
The straps are only securing the roof if the strap is vertical, diagonal loading isn’t securing the load.

thanks for replying, totally forgot about this thread till i decided to get it looked at today . The pics I put one are when the roof is open. I’ve attached some when it’s closed that show it better. It’s the drivers side that makes me nervous but it’s survived another two Europe road trips so it’s probably ok. I’m getting a local poptop company to have a look at it so I’ll report back

 

[nuggetwillow]

What holds the roof bracket strap on how is it secured as it's plywood board then the fiber glass roof