BiX Veteran Volks Folk
2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·
Has any body else had the problem of bending the shaft inside the spring on L bug boot hinges? I have bent 3. I got some new ones laser cut and replaced them. Does anybody have a fix for it?
L bug boot hinges
Andy Andy\'s Adventures
2,820 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·
I don't understand????
I have never bent anything though, so may be un-aware of any weakness.
I have never bent anything though, so may be un-aware of any weakness.
Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l
12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
The curse of the L
At the moment the little pins ont the supports where the clips go (one top and one bottom) are worn on mine and the spring keeps comming off.
I have no idea how to replace em
Posted several times but no replies - even on SBO.
One person said they changed them when they did a full rebuild and had the dash out and un-stiched the steel dash surround (yeah right!)
The other one i saw was to put some R clips on. 2 top and 2 bottom
At easter i am going to have a go at either drilling/cutting the "post" out and replacing with a bolt - or welding a washer on instaed of the clip.
Either that or weld the lid in place 😀
As to why the spring is bending - i would guess that some previously to you had MY trouble - and replaced the supports but in the wrong spot.
So when you onen and close ypu are twisting the spring.
My thoughts anyway
At the moment the little pins ont the supports where the clips go (one top and one bottom) are worn on mine and the spring keeps comming off.
I have no idea how to replace em
Posted several times but no replies - even on SBO.
One person said they changed them when they did a full rebuild and had the dash out and un-stiched the steel dash surround (yeah right!)
The other one i saw was to put some R clips on. 2 top and 2 bottom
At easter i am going to have a go at either drilling/cutting the "post" out and replacing with a bolt - or welding a washer on instaed of the clip.
Either that or weld the lid in place 😀
As to why the spring is bending - i would guess that some previously to you had MY trouble - and replaced the supports but in the wrong spot.
So when you onen and close ypu are twisting the spring.
My thoughts anyway
Futue te ipsum!!!
Old Dubber Wolfsburg Wizard
605 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
BiX,
I have found once they start to bend, unless you can get the inner strut perfectly straight, they will just keep on bending,
Two ways to fix, if the mounting points are in good condition and straight (as in perpendicular)
Completely replace with a new one,
or
Dismantle it, straighten the strut, then weld another small section (I used 1/8' x 3/8" flat I think) along the inner concave of the strut. Just enough to form a "T" section that will give it sideways strength and still allow the spring to slide freely.
Like Blue741 suggested, I've also had to grind off the bottom mount and replace with a bolt.
I have found once they start to bend, unless you can get the inner strut perfectly straight, they will just keep on bending,
Two ways to fix, if the mounting points are in good condition and straight (as in perpendicular)
Completely replace with a new one,
or
Dismantle it, straighten the strut, then weld another small section (I used 1/8' x 3/8" flat I think) along the inner concave of the strut. Just enough to form a "T" section that will give it sideways strength and still allow the spring to slide freely.
Like Blue741 suggested, I've also had to grind off the bottom mount and replace with a bolt.
Grahame
visit my club site at www.vwdcqinc.org.au
visit my club site at www.vwdcqinc.org.au
Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l
12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Should have been a bolt in the bloody first place! 🙁Old Dubber wrote:replace with a bolt.
Futue te ipsum!!!
BiX Veteran Volks Folk
2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·
I will have to check if the mounts are straight. The 2 mounting points seem ok. I got the new bars made up and got them slightly thicker. I put a new one in, closed the bonnet for the first time and it bent. It bends at the top near the slide.I was thinking can u convert the spring over to a gas strut?
Blue what about a 1 piece front, solve the problem?
Blue what about a 1 piece front, solve the problem?
BiX Veteran Volks Folk
2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·
just thought of something else both of the L bugs at home keep on bending hinges. One on the left and one on the right.