Cab is detaching from the camper body

[SprinterLmc]

Hello, I recently bought Lmc mercedes sprinter based motorhome, make 2002.
It had a squeak from the beginning but I thought that's normal, but after I discovered that the cab is moving a little different than the body (about 1cm play)
After closer inspection I saw that the cab is detaching from camper body. I see on forum that those two are held by couple screws on each side, behind the seats. As it seems that I would have to disassemble half of the van to expose those screws I'm wandering would it be ok to drill the holes from the cab to the roof, throuhg the bedbase, and secure the seem that way. Also put expansion foam to seal that and caulk afterwards.
As I'm new to this and these are just my theory thoughts, I would like to hear from more experienced people how would they solve the problem.
Thanks

 

[gpat]

That sounds like significant knowledge is needed to assess.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Can you put a photo up.

 

[Googlebot]

If you are using anything, make it a fill, glue and seal from the likes of Sikaflex. Expanding foam will deteriorate quickly, soak up the water and be useless.

Photos as others have said will help.

 

[SprinterLmc]

Here are some pics, I removed the plastic between the cab and the box. I hear a squeak as I drive and can see the cab moves within the body

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[Coolcats]

Hello, I recently bought Lmc mercedes sprinter based motorhome, make 2002.
It had a squeak from the beginning but I thought that's normal, but after I discovered that the cab is moving a little different than the body (about 1cm play)
After closer inspection I saw that the cab is detaching from camper body. I see on forum that those two are held by couple screws on each side, behind the seats. As it seems that I would have to disassemble half of the van to expose those screws I'm wandering would it be ok to drill the holes from the cab to the roof, throuhg the bedbase, and secure the seem that way. Also put expansion foam to seal that and caulk afterwards.
As I'm new to this and these are just my theory thoughts, I would like to hear from more experienced people how would they solve the problem.
Thanks

Whilst this will not be helpful….in another universe it may be.

Slow down warp speed tends to rip things apart as does a rapid re-entry your not driving a starship

 

[SprinterLmc]

Whilst this will not be helpful….in another universe it may be.

Slow down warp speed tends to rip things apart as does a rapid re-entry your not driving a starship

I just bought the damn thing, and seller is playing dumb, so I guess I have to figure out how to sort it

 

[SprinterLmc]

How to upload the pictures?

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Just click on the little picture frame at the top of your post. Then find your picture and upload it. If its too large though it wont upload

 

[Coolcats]

I just bought the damn thing, and seller is playing dumb, so I guess I have to figure out how to sort it

Hope it goes well for you

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[Jofang]

If the original fixing points have failed and you attempt to secure the body elsewhere you will simply transfer the stresses to the new fixings, which may be weaker than the original. Suggest this is a job for a professional/dealer.

 

[SprinterLmc]

 

[SprinterLmc]

On the right side is not so bad, but on the left is

 

[CAB96]

Looks like someone has already stuffed a load of foam in?

 

[SprinterLmc]

Don't know how it's supposed to look like but probably

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[BusyBuilder]

You can get an expanding foam which is an adhesive. Try Soudal Soudabond from Toolstation.

 

[Lenny HB]

Looks like a problem that has been bodged. seller must have known about it.

With a private sale a seller must declare known faults. I would demand your money back as it could cost thousands to repair properly. If seller doesn't play ball take it to small claims court.

 

[SprinterLmc]

Thinking about fill this with foam and then put 10-15 stainless steel bolts with backplate to fix it to the roof. Guess there's not much force there if the side few screws were put there from factory too keep it together

 

[SprinterLmc]

The MH wasn't his, he bought it and resell it In couple of weeks I guess

Looks like a problem that has been bodged. seller must have known about it.

With a private sale a seller must declare known faults. I would demand your money back as it could cost thousands to repair properly. If seller doesn't play ball take it to small claims court.

 

[Lenny HB]

The MH wasn't his, he bought it and resell it In couple of weeks I guess

But that fault was obvious I'd be after him for my money back.

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[Googlebot]

But that fault was obvious I'd be after him for my money back.

I wouldn’t bother Lenny, litigation would be hard to prove and costly if it goes wrong. It looks like the foam was covered with trim, you would never prove they knew.

May as well spend the time and effort trying to put it right.

That needs a specialist IMO, if the body is wobbling away from the chassis, it needs doing properly or whatever you bond will just break. :-(

 

[meanders]

They know they sold on a lemon. I am with Lenny HB. Demand a refund, (he after all took your money), then small claims court. Before that, I would be looking for other sales by this person as if buying and selling on, that makes him a trader. If other transactions are found, it's a job for trading standards. I would probably do that research first and then possibly drop him the hint that HMRC might well be interested! If he is trading on teh quiet, that's the last thing he will want.

 

[Googlebot]

They know they sold on a lemon. I am with Lenny HB. Demand a refund, (he after all took your money), then small claims court. Before that, I would be looking for other sales by this person as if buying and selling on, that makes him a trader. If other transactions are found, it's a job for trading standards. I would probably do that research first and then possibly drop him the hint that HMRC might well be interested! If he is trading on teh quiet, that's the last thing he will want.

Ah, didn’t realise he might be a trader.

That changes things.

 

[meanders]

Ah, didn’t realise he might be a trader.

That changes things.

I don't know that, but lots claim to be private car sellers but sell too many for it not be 'trading'.

 

[meanders]

Just to add, Trading Standards treat them as 'traders', and HMRC are often looking for them!

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[The Coops]

I would say that given the age of the vehicle, the foam has started to collapse and crumble causing the problem, No idea what you paid or if private or trade, but my first stop would be asking for a refund or a substantial refund of monies paid. It looks like the whole body need separating from the cab, cleaning up and re affixing, not a job for the faint of heart and may require specialist attention to be done properly.