Rear engine hood coming loose

[wagonmaster2]

I just noticed today that one side of the rear engine hood had broken the adhesive loose from the metal frame. I remember reading a post a while back about the best adhesive to use when reattaching the fiber glass hood to the metal frame work but I don't remember what they used and I can't find the posting. Any help or suggestions? Since the whole hood isn't loose it looks like something from a tube with a nozzel on it would probably be the easiest way to get some adhesive between the two pieces.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G

[wagonmaster2]

I just noticed today that one side of the rear engine hood had broken the adhesive loose from the metal frame. I remember reading a post a while back about the best adhesive to use when reattaching the fiber glass hood to the metal frame work but I don't remember what they used and I can't find the posting. Any help or suggestions? Since the whole hood isn't loose it looks like something from a tube with a nozzel on it would probably be the easiest way to get some adhesive between the two pieces.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G

[smlranger]

I've read where some folks have used JB Weld to make the repair. However, I also have read where it is imperative to clean the metal piece well to get an effective repair.

[SMIES]

I just had the same porblem occur on my 05 Vectra. There were previous posts regarding this issue. You may want to do a search to find it.
I spoke with Winnebago customer service and was advised that they coun't provide the adhesive they use since it requires a special dispensing gun.
I will dicuss mechanical fasteners with my repair shop. I had the sides of my front cap break loose after 9 months and Winnebago attached fastners in additon to adhesive when I was in Forest City two years ago. No problems since.
Did you have any paint damage, I did.

[wagonmaster2]

No paint damage. Just noticed that when I opened and closed the hood that the fiber glass part moved seperate from the metal part along the one side.
Wagonmaster2

[Olive]

I had the same problem with my Journey. When I spoke with Winnie service I was told to make sure to remove the paint from both surfaces then use a good construction adhesive to reattach. I had work done at Winnie service before GNR and was going to have them repair it with what they use but they could not get my fix apart. I will keep an eye on it but feel like it is going to hold.

[Gary CA]

Wagonmaster: The factory expoy on the front hood and rear hood of my '04 gave way in '05. The expoy was repaced by Winnebago and it held for about 1 year.

The solution for the rear is buying small sized/fine thread (1.75 inch) stainless bolts with lock nuts. You will also need to measure the gap between the frame and sides of the fiberglass and fill this gap with washers or spacers before you secure the frame to the fiberglass with the bolts.

I drilled the holes from the side of the rear hood into the frame and installed 2 screws per side and 2 from the top of the hood. You CAN NOT see these small stainless bolts on the rear skin of the hood you can see them when you open the hood.

I used the same stainless bolts to secure the front hood hinges to the inside lip of the front cap. This project was so easy and full-proof that I fixed several hoods at a CAL WIT Rally.

Easy bolt-on project, don't trust the expoy or re-epoxy.

[wagonmaster2]

Thanks Gary, that sounds like a much more permanent fix and one the Winnebago should have done in the first place instead of gluing everything together.
Wagonmaster2

[James Norman]

Gary CA, thanks for sharing the fixes for your hoods. My 04 Horizon has the same glued hinges but one side of mine has come unglued from the rear cap. Still tight to the hood itself. Have you had any problems with your hood frame where it's glued to the cap? If so, how did you fix it?

Olive, what was the construction adhesive you used?

Thanks

[Olive]

James, the adhesive I used was PL Premium Construction Adhesive from Home Depot. It claims it will last longer than the surface it is bonding. Winnie service said to make sure it was a good construction adhesive. It has only been a couple of months but it seems to be holding quite well. I had read the epoxy wasn't holding up. Some have also tried J-B Weld with mixed results.

I ground off the paint on the two pieces where they would bond together, applied the adhesive and clamped it until I was sure it was set. It didn't take all that long. I didn't remove the door.

I hope whatever method you use works well for you.

[C Zimm]

I re-epoxied mine about two months ago, not enough time or miles to know the outcome. I completely removed the rear engine cover and separated the parts, ground the paint from the metal surfaces and attached with aluminum angles all around the framing to maintain the same location of original attachment.
I think if I had to do it all over I would use Gary CA's fix. It sounds much easier. I also had the bonding release from the bracket/rear cap interface so don't know if I want screws there to be seen but what the heck; as long as it keeps all the parts together and not on the highway, it's all good.

[James Norman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Olive </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks, I'm going to try the PL Adhesive. I bought some J-B weld but was hesitant to use it. Just doesn't seem gloppy enough. Don't want to put a screw through the read cap unless I have to. Afraid stress cracks would develop due to the vibration and then would have to start using bigger headed bolts.

[Shuffster]

I had the same problem, and I fixed it with 3M 5200, quick cure. WOW! This stuff is amazing!

[robbstein]

We had the same problem with our 03 Advantage rear hood. I took it completely off, cleaned all the contact points, making sure there was sufficient roughness to make good contact and re-glued with a good construction adhesive - and clamped until dry. I don't remember what it was now. That was about a year ago after Winnebago had repaired it once at the plant.

Seems to be holding well with no problems. Like others, I'm reluctant to use metal fastners through the fiberglass being concerned about vibration damage causing stress cracks.

Robb & Sue Steinheider
Duncan the Dalmation
03 Ultimate Advantage
02 Saturn L100 Toad