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Rear Deck Lid Rack - Vent Damage?
XXX-1.8T - January 29th, 2018 at 12:00 PM

I am thinking of installing a deck lid rack for shows etc.

I dont want to damage the vents on the rear.

To be certain no damage will be made what tips and tricks have people used to stop damage?

Is it certain i will damage the rear vents on my bug?

The rack came with rubber gaskets for the vents will this be enough to stop damage to the vents?

Here's a pic of my bug:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1738993.jpg

hulbyw - January 29th, 2018 at 03:25 PM

I don't have a rack so unable to help with your questions however I have one of my own. Can you open the engine lid with the rack installed? If the answer is no, then how are you going to have your engine judged? If the answer is yes, or you don't have your car judged then I will shut up and go away. Nice looking car BTW
Cheers

XXX-1.8T - January 29th, 2018 at 03:37 PM

Yes you can open the lid with the rack installed. But my car is not a show car so i dont put it in to be judged just to display :)

logan - January 29th, 2018 at 06:49 PM

Hi Costa,

Its Finn ... i have had a read luggage rack on my 58 for 15+ years .... it has done NO damage to my car ( well scratched paint, YES ... but not bent or dented anything, but my paint was always crap so i dont care) , the vents are still the same and the lower mounts attach to the bumper brackets , and no damage there either.

I have also over years on occasion attached some weight to that rear rack at times... so mate i can only say to you go ahead ... worst you will do is scratch a bit of paint , but you can easily use some rubber sheet between the mounting points and the body.

Ill snap some pics and pop them up for you to have a look at what 15+ years of use looks like... Cheers Finn

logan - January 29th, 2018 at 07:34 PM

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac286/T34FINN/20180129_195102_resized.jpg


http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac286/T34FINN/20180129_195117_resized.jpg

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac286/T34FINN/20180129_195122_resized.jpg

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac286/T34FINN/20180129_195129_resized.jpg

XXX-1.8T - January 31st, 2018 at 11:42 AM

Hi Finn,

Looks great.

Mine comes with a rubber gasket for the vent but i might get some thicker rubber and use some silicone washers.

How do you get the bolts and nuts in there?

There is no access behind the vents correct?

logan - January 31st, 2018 at 08:16 PM

Correct, no access behind, its a bit fiddly getting them on, but just stick at it, they do go on.

Oh and re-did the math ... 22 years on the car

Cheers, Finn