Devon roof woes......HELP PLEASE

MisterListerSir · Apr 13, 2012

I have been trying in vain for the last 3 days to replace the top seal. (aluminium to fibre glass)
Is it a one man job? Got the seals from just kampers.Removed the old seals as they were past the sell by date , and the complete roof got a fresh coat of paint. I might have been a better plan to spray over the old seals and insert the new one as the old one comes out , that way the distance would remain the same all the way round....Do i make any sense

Would love some advise.....PLEASE.
Anybody in the newquay area that could help?

Termite · Apr 14, 2012

I renewed both my seals in the Devon roof last weekend (I didn't however give it a coat of paint, even though it needs it).

I took about 2ft of seal out at a time and inserted the new one all the way around. Had a couple of issues at the front and back and on corners with one side lifting up by an inch or so and the seals not lining up, but managed to compress them back into place.

Took me about 6 hours per seal I think using a diamond shaped window trim tool for the top seal. I think the J seal is possibly the most depressing job I've done as I could only move 5mm at a time with a flat bladed screwdriver.

Hopefully won't have to do that for another 40 years!

dt100 · Apr 15, 2012

Hey - that was the most annoying job I've ever done on my van!!

I did it with the roof off (I'd replaced the belows) and dismantled everything (ie taken the old seal out). Aligning the roof to the aluminium outer was a sod!!

For me it was a two man job and took around 4 hours of cursing!

My seal I'd bought was thankfully longer than I needed so I cut a dozen 2 inch long pieces and held it all together again with these small pieces..... Then came to fitting the new seal. I found working at 3mm forward pushing with fingers was the only way..... And every so often having to go back a couple of inches due to it simply not working eecially around the corners!!

You need the rubber warm - I had a bucket of hot water that followed me round the roof....

..... Good luck..... I'm sure there must have been an easier way, if you find it please share!!

MisterListerSir · Apr 16, 2012

Thanks for your replys, I do need new bellows but i didn't want to spend the cash this year as it would be nice to actually run it this summer rather than spend more cash and time on it

.
If i remove the bellows i should replace the springs too, then paint struts..........see where its going :x . The devon roof is crap design just wish the high roof didn't look like a upside down boat

that way i could do away with a roof that leaks, smells and goes mouldy

KevH · Apr 16, 2012

As dt100 says, keep the rubber wet and warm, and use plenty of wasting up liquid as a lubricant (oo er missus). :lol:

When its done it will look cool. You can't say that about a hightop.

MisterListerSir · Apr 17, 2012

Yep your right Kev ,i'm not selling 99's :lol: :lol: I am going to order new bellows from ''the camper shop'' anybody used them? This script is from there site.......Elevating roof bellows with flat sides to replace original in your choice of colour (using same fixings).@ £155 going for red as i've started spraying it og lotus white, and roof , bumpers and roof rack in brilliant white - so red should pop out nice ( pardun the pun :lol: ) and new springs from jk.

sparkywig · Apr 17, 2012

I had my old Devon roof refurbished by Clive at The Camper Shop many years ago when he was still Individual Interiors, couldn't fault his work or the service.