Front of Devon Moonraker pop top shakes hard around 60mph..

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dcfb77
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Front of Devon Moonraker pop top shakes hard around 60mph..

Post by dcfb77 »

Hi there,

I've got a 86 T25 to which I've fitted a Devon Moonraker full lenght pop up roof....I've come across a very annoying problem since fitting the roof.

The front of the top fibre glass bit of the roof itself slaps against the top of the van after 60mph. Anyone has a similar problem? Really loud noise like someone's jumping up and dowm on the roof.

Any ideas on how to solve this would be VERY appreciated..

Thanks, David.
RHD Syncro twin slider (AGG) - orange

Plasticman
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Re: Front of Devon Moonraker pop top shakes hard around 60mph..

Post by Plasticman »

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh errrr. they're not meant to go as fast as 60mph :rofl .
Welcome mate.

hard to say without pickies for a start, but assuming its fitted right and you have the 2 overcentre latches fitted and they are tight? can you stand on the front bumper and move the top up or down.
Mike

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matt
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Re: Front of Devon Moonraker pop top shakes hard around 60mph..

Post by matt »

Has it got a rubber seal Fitted :?:
:)

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matt
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Re: Front of Devon Moonraker pop top shakes hard around 60mph..

Post by matt »

Also, Where you at
If you close, Come along to the Derby Meet
:)

devonwedge
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Re: Front of Devon Moonraker pop top shakes hard around 60mph..

Post by devonwedge »

Hi, I have a 1982 Devon moonraker and exactly the same thing happens to me.
It depends on how windy it is but when I get to about 60 mph it makes the same noise.
Mine feels like its pushing the pop top from the opposite side of the hinges so shouldn't blow off
but sounds really bad!

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ambivert
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Re: Front of Devon Moonraker pop top shakes hard around 60mph..

Post by ambivert »

The pop-top's suspension struts are always trying to push it away from the van, but its hinges are usually attached firmly to the van, so the hinged side of the roof cannot move away from the van.

Any loss of metal from the van's roof, where the hinges are riveted onto it, will allow the struts to push the pop away a bit, which at speed, will let the wind get under it.

Check that your van hasn't rusted away under the poptop! Check at all 3 hinges.
My middle hinge has no metal under it any more. Both the front and rear are down to 1 or 2 rivets (out of 3).
On the motorway, it makes a hell of a noise...
1983 Devon Moonraker poptop 1.9 DG (early) lowered 50mm - Back on the road after 5 years of SORN!

dcfb77
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Re: Front of Devon Moonraker pop top shakes hard around 60mph..

Post by dcfb77 »

M_After.jpg


Thanks for the input. Great to have a good community for T25 owners. I've had a lot of cars but none that have this sort of following. You guys document everything, you rock!

No chance of any rust as the bodywork has had a complete refurb.

The gas struts are not yet fitted so I'm hoping that will help. Saying that I've noticed most Devon pop tops have 2x hinges on the front and back while mine only has 1 on each. Otherwise I've found some 4cm catch clips which I may use on the front just to keep the roof secure but ideally dont want that as it will ruin the look of the van.

Seals are on and I've even filled the inside of the "o" seal at the front just to keep good pressure with the roof of the van, still same problem.

Car used to drive great up to 80mph when I had the high top on so I'm a bit gutted that I', now limited to 60mph (even 50mph when in strong head wind)

Any further ideas most definitely welcome.

David.
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Re: Front of Devon Moonraker pop top shakes hard around 60mph..

Post by PEET »

Had this with a recent project and cured it with seal ETS58 (at the bottom of the page from the link below) fitted along the front edge of the poptop. It filled any gap where wind could blow in and also something for the roof to push down against stopping flapping.
If ETS58 doesnt look like it will fit urs also look at ETS59 but sure ETS58 will fit and cure it as twere what I done...! :ok

http://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/bbCMS/shop ... tmentId=68" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thats PEET as in FEET!!!

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