Hinge/Bracket Snapped on Top Bed

[Vwcaligibraltar]

Yep, so in all the online versions of the top bed diagram I couldn't find the number but my garage sent me a snippet of their diagram.
View attachment 83235

It was piece number 12. One of the issues of installing it myself was that in order to fix the rivets on the side, you need to remove the canvas in the roof. My garage were great and said it was still under warranty so they did it for me at no cost. But it was trickier than it looked initially.

Hi would u have a the whole diagram as my dealer is having problems finding the part! or if u know where i could find it?

Thnk u

 

[petercass1000]

We’re away for the next three days and this has just happened to us. Does anyone have a temporary fix?

 

[marchugo]

If my memory serves me well, the black plastic hinges were introduced in the Cali T6.1, due to the new disc springs under the mattrass.
In the old T5 times the construction had fully metal hinges.
In my opinion, using a combination of plastic and metal in a hinge, is a construction error, asking for problems.

Regards from Amsterdam,

Marc.

 

[andyinluton]

If my memory serves me well, the black plastic hinges were introduced in the Cali T6.1, due to the new disc springs under the mattrass.

It changed in 2016 so that would be T6, the full view of the parts diagram above shows the split mattress & timber slats still.

 

[Mattsv]

I think the plastic clip is designed to be sacrificial, protecting the bed frame and hinge mounts if you lower the bed with something in the way...

 

[Soton Campers]

My issue with this whole arrangement is why use a pop rivet that you have to remove the bed frame to drill both sides? A nut and bolt would be far easier. I've had at least a dozen incidents of this!

 

[Corradobrit]

My issue with this whole arrangement is why use a pop rivet that you have to remove the bed frame to drill both sides? A nut and bolt would be far easier. I've had at least a dozen incidents of this!

Because it takes 5 secs to install a pop rivet vs 10 secs for a bolt on the assembly line

 

[marchugo]

Could weight be an issue? An alu rivet is about 2 Gramms, a steel nut and bolt 10 or more...
And the plastic clip weighs less than the metal hinges.


Regards from Amsterdam,

Marc.

 

[DavidinWales]

We’re away for the next three days and this has just happened to us. Does anyone have a temporary fix?

I did this at the start of a two-month Euro road trip earlier in the summer. I tried using five or six cable ties as a temporary but they just stretched or snapped when I pushed the bed up. Then I tried some strong cord which held it in place but it still kicked off to one side when pushed up, putting strain on the struts that hold it up. So I decided to live with keeping it down until I got it fixed properly. My dealership is going to do it under warranty - just waiting for the part to arrive.

 

[ThisIsChristoph]

Has anyone managed to do this themselves and is able to post some instructions on how to drill out the rivet from the outside/bellows side? My local VW Van garage (not specialised in Calis) is saying that they’d need to remove the bellows in order to reach the outside rivet. @WelshGas suggests that the bed frame can be removed in order to better reach both sides of the rivet holding the hinge clip in place.
Any advice (I can pass on to my garage) would be greatly appreciated.

 

[WelshGas]

Has anyone managed to do this themselves and is able to post some instructions on how to drill out the rivet from the outside/bellows side? My local VW Van garage (not specialised in Calis) is saying that they’d need to remove the bellows in order to reach the outside rivet. @WelshGas suggests that the bed frame can be removed in order to better reach both sides of the rivet holding the hinge clip in place.
Any advice (I can pass on to my garage) would be greatly appreciated.

T6 upgrade of upper bed from wooden slats to OEM 6.1 Froli bed system

In response to several threads and various posts About the new upper bed system used in the T6.1. I Thought this may be of use to those that have discussed if this was indeed possible. I can confirm that it is possible to upgrade the wooden slatted upper bed in a T6 Beach to the Standard OEM...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[markheathcote]

Has anyone managed to do this themselves and is able to post some instructions on how to drill out the rivet from the outside/bellows side? My local VW Van garage (not specialised in Calis) is saying that they’d need to remove the bellows in order to reach the outside rivet. @WelshGas suggests that the bed frame can be removed in order to better reach both sides of the rivet holding the hinge clip in place.
Any advice (I can pass on to my garage) would be greatly appreciated.

My dealership did it in under an hour, on warranty, without removing bellows. Pretty common apparently. I think we all do it once.

 

[ThisIsChristoph]

My dealership did it in under an hour, on warranty, without removing bellows. Pretty common apparently. I think we all do it once.

Ooh. I’m interested. Could I ask which garage that is? I’d be quite keen to get my guys to call your guys…

 

[markheathcote]

Ooh. I’m interested. Could I ask which garage that is? I’d be quite keen to get my guys to call your guys…

SMG Tonbridge.

 

[flying banana]

I cant understand why they would need to remove the bellows. Just drill straight through from the inside. The rivet gun would easily get betwixt the bellows and bracket if you had the roof partially down to give some slack

 

[Mattsv]

Has anyone managed to do this themselves and is able to post some instructions on how to drill out the rivet from the outside/bellows side? My local VW Van garage (not specialised in Calis) is saying that they’d need to remove the bellows in order to reach the outside rivet. @WelshGas suggests that the bed frame can be removed in order to better reach both sides of the rivet holding the hinge clip in place.
Any advice (I can pass on to my garage) would be greatly appreciated.

T6.1 Upper Bed Hinge - DIY FIX

Like a few others, I learnt the hard way this weekend that leaving anything on the ledge below where the bed hinges, results in the plastic bracket snapping. I managed to source a new bracket from Campervantastic which arrived very quickly and only cost £8 plus delivery. Upper Bed Hinges...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

I did it myself - please see above thread...

 

[ThisIsChristoph]

T6.1 Upper Bed Hinge - DIY FIX

Like a few others, I learnt the hard way this weekend that leaving anything on the ledge below where the bed hinges, results in the plastic bracket snapping. I managed to source a new bracket from Campervantastic which arrived very quickly and only cost £8 plus delivery. Upper Bed Hinges...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

I did it myself - please see above thread...

Thanks @Mattsv, this is great. The bit that the guys at my garage are struggling with is accessing the bellows-side rivet (removing and replacing). I’ll suggest that they use the bolt solution like you did plus @flyingbanana’s suggestion of getting some slack on the bellows.

I’ll also suggest that they give SMG Tonbridge (the competition) a call for some advice - thank you @markheathcote

 

[KGCali]

These always come in handy for tight spaces...
Milwaukee 4932471274 Shockwave Impact Duty Right Angle Attachment 11 Piece https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B081QJ9YM9?tag=vwcalifornia-21

 

[Looseboy]

After a couple of lovely days at “back of beyond” in Ringwood we joined this exclusive little club today

Happy to see we are not the only ones , less happy that it happened.

 

[Honestviking1]

After a couple of lovely days at “back of beyond” in Ringwood we joined this exclusive little club today

Happy to see we are not the only ones , less happy that it happened.

View attachment 120891

Looseboy, the nearside plastic hinge on our Beach has snapped and I've retained the broken piece.
I've been to VW Commercial, Newcastle upon Tyne today with a copy of this post/the broken piece and the van is booked in for the repair.
However, the dealership is unable to say whether the repair is covered under warranty before inspection so a potential bill on collection.
I quoted SMG Tonbridge, same reply. End of July I am only 60 miles from the reputable Breeze in Poole where I purchased the van and will contact them with their take on the issue with a view to giving them the work (and a mini break)
Looseboy, what was your outcome, anyone else on warranty? Thanks

 

[Looseboy]

Hi @HONESTVIKING1 I am pleased to say mine was covered by warranty

Both were replaced with metal ones instead

Good luck with yours

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

If this is a weak point I would suggest when replacing, substitute the rivets for a nut and bolt so it can be changed again later in situ. I'd use a Stainless Steel Button Flange Screw and a Flange Lock Nut

 

[Honestviking1]

Hi @HONESTVIKING1 I am pleased to say mine was covered by warranty

Both were replaced with metal ones instead

Good luck with yours

View attachment 126107

View attachment 126108

Looseboy good morning

Hi @HONESTVIKING1 I am pleased to say mine was covered by warranty

Both were replaced with metal ones instead

Good luck with yours

View attachment 126107

View attachment 126108

Looseboy, good morning. Both of ours also replaced on warranty, thanks for yours and other Cali owners input on the topic

 

[Norfolk Jim]

Wahay - we've joined this club. My dealer has it booked in and says yes under warranty - even loaning me a van FOC. I thought the same about being sacrificial in plastic. My goodness that bed is heavy and really hard to get in place to bring roof down; kept pining up and swnging to side and bellows!!

I'm going to ask for metal to be fitted