Hi Wizard,
I can't find your place to ask questions so I'm writing on here.
My question is about a rotten floor in a 1995 ABI Sprinter. The roof light blew off a couple of years ago and of course it rained. I replaced that and thought I'd mopped up all the water and dried out the van. Now it seems that water had got doen between the 2 different vinyls of the kitchen and washroom.
I recently repaired a rotten batten caused by the outer rail leaking and when I was cleaning out the van I felt the floor was soft.
So, I cut the vinyl in the washroom and a small area in the adjoining kitchen area and removed the rotten, wet wood. The van is now nice and dry. However, while stripping out the rotten wood I have left the wood that is surrounding a large, rusty, bolt as it seems substantial and that wood is not rotten or wet. I have now been told by a caravanning friend that I need to get that bolt out. That's going to be difficult and time consuming. Do you agree or could I build up the new floor and screw into that wooden 'lump'?
Soak it in penetrating oil above and below, leave it 24 hours and it may loosen, tighten it very slightly first then loosen.Hopefully it won't shear.
Assuming there is access beneath.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Thanks. When I removed the wood lump I found that the bolt is not protruding above the level of the polystyrene and is in a piece of sound wood so I have left it in situ. I have cut the new plywood floor but it needs painting both sides before setting it in place. Should I cover the bolt with plastic to isolate it from the new floor? Need an answer quickly before I continue.
Why not post some photos of the offending bolt on your profile, Marilyn? It's difficult to offer advice by description alone, although my instinct would be to replace it.
The bolt that you uncovered, is it directly above one on the corner steadys? They often have one bolt that goes through the wooden structure of the floor, could it be that. If that is the case then you don't want to remove it, you could replace it with a new one if it's very badly rusted.
Dave.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
Hi, yes, before I read your post I had concluded that the bolt was for the corner steady and that I was not going to get involved in removing that. It seems sound and is in sound wood so I'm going to leave it. I think I should cover it in a sheet of plastic before putting the wood down for the floor. Do you agree? Or is that a bad idea.
I am in the process of painting the new plywood flooring and hopefully, if the paint dries I should be able to complete that tomorrow. I have bought some new vinyl to cover it with a 'lip' to make like a tray in case of water spillage.
Would you believe it that last night the plastic rivets that hold the main skylight popped. So, this morning I've sorted that by bolting the skylight on - with sika flex to make sure it's water-tight. As long as the plastic rooflight doesn't crack or split it should last a while. I replaced the washroom rooflight 14 months ago. It's an old van and probably now on its last legs. I just hope to keep it going for at least this season.
Sounds like you have been busy Marilyn, no sooner do you get one thing sorted then another rears it's ugly head but the good news is that you are overcomming them so well done and all of a sudden they will stop happening.
To be honest I wouldn't bother insulating the bolt head from the new ply with plastic. First, it's dry now so it shouldn't show up again and second, what does it matter if it does, by that time you may have sold or scrapped it by then anyway.
Enjoy the fruits of you're labours.
Dave.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
If this bolt is for a corner steady, I would free it up and spray it with some WD40. If you ever have to replace the steady, a seized bolt can make it impossible to remove without gaining the access you have now...
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: rotten floor rusty bolt
