Sunstar 31ke front hood backer plate

[corton]

Sorry, don't have a pic at this time.


Just picked up our new-to-us 2016 Itasca Sunstar 31KE. Seems to be in great shape. Until we got it home. Minor issue, but would just like to hear about the "correct" way to repair it.


When you want to open the front inspection cover to check the oil, trans fluid etc., you release the locks with a key, then the whole cover lowers down. I noticed the pass side bracket that holds the two adjustable hood stops was wobbling in place. It was getting dark and I didn't have a flashlight, but by feel it seems that this steel bracket is just epoxied onto the front fascia fiberglass.


True?


I believe that I can just wiggle it off, but should I use any special type of epoxy, liquid nails, or whatever to secure in place?


Thanks! Aside from this, we're thrilled with "Cousin Eddie."

 

[Sarah_W]

If you are referring to the hood brackets, you might have a look at this thread... http://www.winnieowners.com/forums/f263/solei-front-hood-bracket-309074.html

 

[creativepart]

True!

Crazy but true.

 

[MAC-JAY]

My Adventure is 7 months old, both hinges fell off already!

 

[Jim_HiTek]

True, they use epoxy to 'glue' the fiberglass covers onto the brackets. What I did with mine when they came loose was to drill a hole from the back through the bracket holes and through the cover. Then used a countersink bit on the cover surface so I could use flathead 6-32 stainless steel screws, along with plastic insert lock nuts. I only used two screws per panel as the panels aren't that heavy and many of the epoxied brackets were still holding. I've seen people use large 1/2" bolts but I didn't see the point of that with mine and didn't care for the look of 4 large hex head bolts on the surface that my friends shop did to her front cover.

The 6-32 screws are small enough that they're hardly noticeable, especially since they're flush with the surface, and in an accident, the cover would pull right off the screws so it wouldn't be damaged much. And of course, the brackets have anywhere from 2-4 holes which could all have screws put in them if someone wanted more holding power.

Here's my blog article on how I did my rear covers. I'll do the front cover the same way when I get to it, as it happens, this week. It's been on my '2do' list for a couple months now: Body Work... | Chaos Leaves Town