TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Mar 22, 2003 6:56 am

Here's the situation...for the last year the hood (front deck lid, trunk, cover) etc. has been off the car ('69 beetle) while I have been rebuilding it. Now, after all the body work and being moved around in my shop time aftyer time, I put it back on the car with new weather seal and it doesn't fit properly. Last night I readjusted the bolts numerous times and can't get it to sit right. It seems that there are two problems, one at the top edge, closest to the windshield, it is riding high in the center, but sitting more flush at the top outside corners; second, the right side of the lid sits so much higher than the left. I can see daylight between the seal and edge of the lid. There is probably a gap of about 1/2-3/4 inch. It also sits higher on the left but not as much. At least it appears to be making contact with the seal on that side. It doesn't look like the lid will sit any lower because the front edge is all the way down.
Has this happened to anyone else? Any ideas? Have I perhaps warped the metal?
Any help, advice, suggestions, ideas greatly appreciated.
Always learning,
Big Al

Sat Mar 22, 2003 10:56 am

I have in the past had to spread the hood by applying slight pressure in the center lip near the VW logo and with me on one side and a friend on the other pulling it slightly outward getting it to "spread out" so to speak. Trayle lines up his hoods by setting it where it needs to be on the car and reaching in from the glovebox hole and the speedometer hole with the ratchet and then tightens away. My buddy has his little bro get in the trunk with a flashlight and ratchet and tighten it while we line it up from the outside. Sounds crazy dont it? It really works.

Sat Mar 22, 2003 7:25 pm

ROFLMA HAHAHAHAHA

Mon Mar 24, 2003 8:48 am

mines fiberglass and having the same problem

Tue Mar 25, 2003 1:59 pm

mybig, y9our right, that does sound crazy. so crazy it just MIGHT work. I'll try it.
Thanks
Big Al

Tue Mar 25, 2003 9:13 pm

I dont think my little brother would trust me enough to climb into a trunk for me. I might accidently lock it. :)