Another Hood Bracket Problem

[Ol'Joe]

The entire right side hood bracket fell off my rig. I was far away from dealer and had no faith in local support. Found 4 heay duty bolts with the large "gripping" type heads and washers. I carefully drilled through the body and hood brackets, bolted them up on both sides and I've had no problems with any portion of the body, frame or baracket since. 3 years, of course now that I mention it..........we'll see.

[Tom N]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ol'Joe:
The entire right side hood bracket fell off my rig. I was far away from dealer and had no faith in local support. Found 4 heay duty bolts with the large "gripping" type heads and washers. I carefully drilled through the body and hood brackets, bolted them up on both sides and I've had no problems with any portion of the body, frame or baracket since. 3 years, of course now that I mention it..........we'll see. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Did you drill completely through the hood? Are the bolt heads expose on the outside of the hood?? If so, post a photo please.

I have a 38R, a 2005 Suncruiser. Haven't had hood problems.

-Tom

[becks]

I remember reading about the hood bracket problem some time back. Often times my problem is if I dont check mine at time of reading I foget about it. That said, I'm going out and check mine this very minute. Sure wish there was a drug for restoring memory.

[Catpowered]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Beabop:
Right now our rear panel is being held on with gorilla glue, we hope it holds until we get to the factory in June. Maybe they will do a good will for us. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I did the same thing but used Liquid Nails on the rear panel! It's been holding for two years now. I can't wait for the generator door to fall off. I think the employee who installed the day/night shade cord guides was transferred to the epoxy glue quality control department.

[Beabop]

Right on CAT, Winnie glued our front panel on under warranty in 05 and so far it has held.

[Ol'Joe]

Hi Tom,

Sorry for the delay in replying, my internet access is limited at sea. I'll get you some photos this weekend when I get back to the rig. Now all I got to do is figure out how to load them here. well first things first.

[Tom N]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ol'Joe:
Hi Tom,

Sorry for the delay in replying, my internet access is limited at sea. I'll get you some photos this weekend when I get back to the rig. Now all I got to do is figure out how to load them here. well first things first. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Email them to me and I'll post them here.

-Tom

[Tom N]

Below are Ol'Joe's photos of his '05 Adventurer 38R repair.

-Tom

[C Zimm]

I had the same problems. The factory repaired right front hood bracket, by the time I returned to CA the left bracket came loose. The dealer reattached with drilled holes for the epoxy to grab. Both are still okay after 20k miles.
The rear panel was about to fall off so I just completed the repair myself. Both brackets were detached and the inner frame was about to let go.
My major concern was orienting the panel in the exact same spot to the frame so I left all in place. I bought aluminum angle from Home Depot, cut into four inch lenghts and drilled many holes for the epoxy to grab. I added six angles to the top side of the horizontal frame and three to the bottom side. Also, three on each vertical end piece. I removed the paint from the metal frame and cleaned the attach points with acetone. I used Loctite "professional" two part epoxy from Home Depot. I also clamped the epoxied chanels during the curing process.
It appears to be a solid bond but I'll keep my fingers crossed for the next 20k miles.
Have not been able to post pictures but will e-mail if someone wishes.

[Gary CA]

Hi Cliff: Why you and others are at it, check out the rear cap mounts at the lower level contact points near the hitch. My mounts broke loose is four (4) contact points.

I had to expoy each contact point. I also drilled and used a small Stainless screw through the body and mount in two places because, as luck would have it, we were leaving when I noticed the loose cap and did not have time to let it cure in place.

[C Zimm]

Thanks Gary. I'll check it out. I still have some epoxy left. Thataway to go Winnebago!

[NO1RAINH20]

If you glass them on with fiberglaas and resin they will not come loose again

[JC2]

And yet another bracket came loose today as I lowered the hood. When I took it to the dealer several weeks ago for the hood release repair, I asked that they repair the other as it would probably break. This time it was the bracket hooked to the long adjustable hinge on the drivers side. Talked with Winnebago Customer relations and again they will authorize a goodwill repair and also authorize the remaining brackets to be R&R. The dealer's quality/customer service leaves much to be desired but Winnie sure has stepped up to the plate.

[Chief]

Strange that this thread should reappear now.

Both my generator hatch cover and the engine hatch cover are sitting in my garage waiting to be re-repaired. Generator hatch has already been to the Winnie doctors office but his repair didn't hold (new glue). Engine hatch totally separated on last road trip. Bent the grill fastening points but I will attempt to straighten them. Had to use duct tape on it in order to get it home. Got more than one chuckle on this novel use of the universal tape.

After reading this entire thread I have decided to re-glue using LOCTITE Professional Epoxy, drilling holes in the framework for a hopefully better adhesion process and securing with 1/4" carriage bolts at the four corners of each hatch. If it comes apart again I'll go back to the duct tape with an appropriate sign indicating the marvels of Winnebago engineering. Needless to say, I'm pretty fed up with this whole situation especially since it didn't really manifest itself until the warranty had expired.

[peter griffin]

My hood bracket (stopper) fell off. I called winnie and they said scrape off the old epoxy glue and grind the paint of the bracket and re epoxy. They also suggested to drill more holes in the bracket so the epoxy could sqeeze through and have a better hold. Since the area was covered with the hood, I chose to drill holes in the fiberglass and hold the bracket with Stainless steel bolts, nylon washers and a lock nuts.

[SteveG]

Using bolts as apart of the front hood fix has been done by a number of the forum members. So far I have not heard any negative feed back regarding the bolts applying too much pressure to the thin fiberglass front body and causing cracks.

It appears to me that the pressure caused by the downward movement/weight of the hood plus the occasional added arm/body weight applied to the hood when reaching across may apply enough weight to physically damage the fiberglass support. If the bolt fix was attaching a stationary member I would not be as concerned. Maybe my concern is overstated; what do you think?

[SCVJeff]

I'm wondering if those of us that DON'T have this problem (yet) might benefit from a pre-strike additional glue bead along the bracket and fiberglass anywhere it makes sense?
Or will I just have more to grind off?

[Gary CA]

I had the front hood fail so I resecured it with stainless bolts, the rear failed and I secured it with bolts.

I also used epoxy to reinforce other factory glue brackets, it was messy to work with. I finally answered the call of Billy Mayes and ordered Mighty Putty. This putty is easy to work with; Yes, you can sand it, drill it and it dries as hard as a rock.

I also mended a broken aluminum patio furniture arm with the stuff.

Here are a few RV pics!

[SCVJeff]

Thanks Gary, this eases my stress of exposed hardware, and it appears I have all of this in my SS box and looks pretty straight forward.

As for Billy, I'm a big fan of Scotch VHB (it's holding 3 solar panels), so someone at work wants to challenge my VHB against Billy. I told him was was gonna lose anyway so I'd let him set the test criteria. Haven't heard back..

[Pubtym]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Petro:
FLYTYER;
I had the same problem. I used JB Weld and made a brace to hold the bracket tight until it set and dried. It has held so far. I am careful with it though.

Don </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I use Loctite Waterproof Epoxy Putty. Similar if not same as Billy's.