Did the front boot prop on late 50s beetles sag heaps? *Just bought a 58 (coming down on a Truck to Melb) and then on the boat to Tassie* previous owner uses a golf umbrella every time she filled up :P, she figured that the boot prop sagged too much and didnt want it to bust her one someday. Where can i get a new one?
Volkswagen ist der strassekoning - Vergnügen fahren finden!
The boot stay wasn't the problem..
because it was only used on one side the weight of the bonnet eventually caused the bonnet to sag to one side
I remember My father having a thin metal strip welded on both sides of the bonnet to stop it sagging to one side
I'm not sure whether it worked or not....
You could try installing the stay on the opposite side...
or as some people do
install the late spring bonnet stays..
or install twin gas stays, one on either side.
Lee
http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
My Son just installed a bonnet stay in the 56 Beetle He built
they are made from fairly thick steel..
if there is a problem with it, a bit of welding should be able to cure the problem..
or even make a new one..
but I'm pretty sure they are strong, its the bonnet thats made from thin steel..
I think the problem comes from people trying to close the bonnet with the stay still locked in place
I don't know if all stays are the same
I'm not sure whether You have to unlock the stay by hand, or You lift the bonnet up and it automatically unlocks...
I think its the latter
and when it doesn't unlock, people still try to close the bonnet..
I hope this helps
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
becareful of gas struts they can bend a bonnet when closing .
I never thought of that
I've seen a few late model Beetles with the gas struts
Its knowing exactly where to place the struts
and which ones to use
How long or short...
Very technical stuff....
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
Hugh i have done the gas strut thing on my 58 and it worked great check in members rides there may be some pics of it.
If u r doing the cheapo way go the wreckers and get 2 EB Falcon boot lid struts and the bonnet hinges from a later 60s or 70s beetle (they have the hole for a spring/strut)
empi
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