Just wondering how people go about having doors that just lift off?? Is there a way to modify the original door hinge to make the door just lift off? the reason i ask is that my car trailer has 400mm high sides as it doubles as a mega box trailer, i cannot open the doors once on the trailer and as i have lexann windows i cannot reach in to pull the handbrake or put it in gear on once its loaded. I have fitted an electric winch to get the car on there so that shouldn't be a problem.... Does everyone use there handbrakes and in gear when carrying their drag cars? or is having it tied down sufficiant?? I have had 2 other beetles on it and its great as i can just climb out the window, not the case with the drag bug!

cheers
Mick.

why not make the passenger side door window removable with dsuz (i think) fasteners?

Ha! Yeah, right after i started this thread i thought the same thing! Will look into that.

Hey Mick.
Ive got the same problem with my trailer, thats mine are removable. I knocked the pin out of the original hinges, then I turned a bolt down so it sliped in and out easily. Drilled a small hole in the bottom of the pin so a R clip can go through to lock it in place. ANDRA rules say it must be locking! Or you can get a quick relese pin off the net.
I dont put my car in gear but i do use the handbrake.

yeah Ben, that sounds easy enough. Will probably do that before i get my car on the trailer. are the pins easy enough to knock out??

NO they are a bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! had to soak mine for a few days with WD40 then turn the doors upside down,rest the edge of the hinge on the bench then flog the crap out of them with a pin punch and hammer. Some came out easy some took alot more effort.

Might get dave over for that one...

Two people is a good idea. Morgs helped hold them steady on the harder ones

will probably have to wait then, we have too much to do on his car in the next couple of weeks. Might be able to entice him over with some beers and a bbq....

Holy moly! they are stuck in there good! Just so i got it right, the pins need to come out the top of the hinge?? so door upside down, punch pin through.... they are soaking in inox now so i'll try again tommorrow, failing this, any one have any other ideas? Is it possible to drill the pins out??

hit them harder!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think i need a bigger hammer!

There's a tool you can get to press them out real easy... pretty sure Lee has one... or else should be do-able with a big C clamp tightening down on a punch/drift....

When I was in Warwick last October,I saw Henry with the yellow Oval had some spring loaded pin which came out quickly and the door was off in no time. Wish I had a better look-want to take my door off now for the same reason as you.

the clips are quick release pins. I was just to cheap to get them when I first did it and havent got around to getting them.
Should be able to get them off ebay or rocket

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_nkw=quick+release+pin&_sacat=0&_dm...

http://shop.rocketindustries.com.au/search?search%5Border%5D=code+asc&q=q...

The way I removed them on my car was to use an air chisel with a pin driver to push them out . Make sure you put something heavy opposite the direction you are driving the pin out so it can absorb the impacts.

might duck down to bunnings and see if i can find one cheap enough.... everywhere i read alot of people seem to use them.

righto, tried air hammer... no luck, got a good pin punch set and still no luck! this thing aint givin me any love at all! any other ideas??

Did ya check with Lee about the proper pin tool ??? A guy on samba pretty sure was making and selling them, but can only find a "for rent" ad at the moment.... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=830517 

And have ya tried a big ass C clamp, pin/drift and length of pipe ???

If you want to swing by mine am sure could rig the hydraulic press to get 'em out...

Or... build your own using the genuine VW drawing !!!

http://bugfuel.tripod.com/Tools/hingetool.html 

You reckon you could get the whole door under the press??? No i didn't ask lee, i'm sure there is a way to get them out without posting tools around the country!

You may have to heat the area , yes paint will get damaged but that will fix your problem .

yeah, thats what i'm trying to avoid....

Yeah, I reckon could get the whole door under the press no worries... just need to get creative about an anvil to support the hinge properly is all... couple of lengths of angle probably sort it.

Or... get the proper tool !!!