Winnebago Poptop Latch issue- Now with Pics!

[CdnVWJunkie]

Turning to the collection wisdom here at the Samba.

Winnebago poptop is secured by 2 J-shaped latches at the front of the poptop. The van in question appears to have been slammed shut and both of these latches have come unsecured from the top.

I am very familar with Westfalia tops having restored many both just regular age as well as impact damages. I have no experience with the Winnebagos. Westfalias are one piece unit while the Winnebago is a 2 piece unit.

I have searched for exploded diagrams showing the parts break down but have come up empty handed.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Here is a shot of the top latch in it's "normal" position.

Here is a shot of how much deflection there is.

***** I know what the issue is. The "J" hooks securing base is a 4" piece of steel that is rivted and fiberlgassed to the roof. This 4" piece of steel has come away from the roof and is moving up and down within the cavity between the outer roof shell and inner headliner.

What I am looking for is Winnebago parts diagrams or blow ups showing the assembly of the top, or better yet, someone with first hand experience in separating the inner and outer shells on a Winnebago poptop.


Thanks!

*****

[CdnVWJunkie]

Anybody??? I guess I had better add some pics...

[BavarianWrench]

Hello Cdn
Post up a photo or two. I can look at mine and see if I can come up with an answer for you? My latches were loose and I was able to tighten them back up. Other then that I'm like you. New to the Eurovan world.

[CdnVWJunkie]

[BavarianWrench]

Cdn I'm no help on repairing that separation. The jam nuts had come loose on my top and I was able to adjust the closing tension and tighten the jam nuts. Unfortunately you have a greater task on your hands. Keep us posted. I'm curious how you solve the issue.
Best of Luck on that one

[CdnVWJunkie]

Still hunting for an exploded parts diagram of the Winne's tops.

[cwparrott]

I did not access this area of the top but when i repaired a crack in the outer shell I had to remove a section of the inner liner. What I found was there is a steel frame that is sandwiched between the outer ASA top and the inner ABS liner with what i call polystyrene foam I have some pics up. My guess is the metal plate that the J bolt chests into is just bent and crushed the foam.

I would either cut the liner and see whats happening or just put grab it with large vise grip and bend it straighen it

last pic show the back metal frame

[CdnVWJunkie]

This is very helpful info. Thank you.

[ceebsonline]

I have what I think is the exact same issue. The "J hooks" don't seem to be attached to anything and move freely up, down, and side to side. Did you ever figure out the problem/solution?

[JMB3]

[dixoncj]

[ceebsonline]

I finally fixed the broken latches on my newly acquired '95 EVC. The bracket that the "J-hook" threads into is riveted to the roof frame from the top, making it pretty impossible to fix without taking the roof apart. The only way I could figure to avoid this was to ditch the rivets, drill 4 new holes in the bottom of the frame, and run bolts through the new holes and the existing rivet holes. Couple of pictures:

[leadvillian]

I wanted to post this solution that I saw on a friends EVC. Our 95 camper poptop hooks had this same issue of pushing upward into the roof. This repair took under an hour and required no cutting. I ordered the 3"x1/2" fender washers and used smaller washers as shims to avoid crushing the plastic roof once tightened. My hope is it is strong enough, as the pressure against the plastic interior only occurs during the latching of the roof......time will tell, but for now it works great and my girlfriend can close the roof by herself again.