TheSamba.com :: View topic - Engine Decklid Doesnt Close/Latch Properly

Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:58 am

Looking for some advice or creative solutions if anyone has experienced the same thing. My 1960 engine decklid does not latch period unless strongly forcing it while using church key and even then, it barely stays latched.

I tried process of elimination as follows but none solved the problem;

-Installed 2 different correct year latch assemblies which both operate fine
-Installed 2 different correct original decklids with good hinges
-Installed 2 different correct original aprons [lined up with exact bolt holes]
-I tweaked the latch catch bracket on one apron to raise it and bend forward, even broke the weld.
-Removed old engine compartment rubber seals in case that was hindering closing
-Installed all new WW rubber seals on compartment, neither lid will close at all with new seals
-Removed all rubber seals from compartment and now lid will barely shut and stay closed with force.
-I even examined another latch assembly from my 56 but the catch bolt is shorter which doesnt help

Its pretty frustrating and I'm sure its a simple tweak or adjustment that I'm missing here. I searched the forums but didnt come up with any solutions. Anybody else have this issue or solutions?

Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:17 am

Have you tried to put the decklid on without hinges or with the hinges loose? If not, loosen or take the hinges off all together & line it up by hand then try to shut it & see if it latches. If it doesn't, then try moving it around until is does latch. That might help show what is stopping it from closing.
Another thing I was wondering about is how it looks when you do get it latced as mentioned in the beginning of your post, is the decklid flush with the body or is the lower edge of the decklid being pulled in?? Pictures of it latched & unlatched would be great to see how it's hanging.

Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:32 am

Installing newly re-pinned hinges that Greg did vastly improved the fit of the engine lid on the Montana westy. Now it opens and closes like butta.

The hinges are always worn.

Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:35 am

potentially your apron mounts are bent from collision try shimming your apron out.

Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:20 am

Thank you all for the responses, good advice so far. The lid gaps and alignment all seem okay when closed [without rubber seals on engine bay] and I tried loosening the hinges to try several gaps and spacing but the next 2 steps I'm going to try are shimming/tweaking the apron position and then a new set of hinges if that doesnt work.

I didnt suspect that was it because even when loosening the screws and giving the hinges play, it still didnt latch. Also, I'm going to need to factor in the proper gap closure needed when re-installing new rubber seals and I cant imagine an apron adjustment is going to add that much distnace closure. The WW rubber seals are thick compared to the dry OG seals I just removed. Here is a pic of the lid closed without seals and it lines up with bottom edge of apron;

Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:18 pm

That buckle in the deck lid on the right bottom is not helping. The sometimes hardest thing to do is to remount anything door like. A little off here or there can reek havoc.

Try (with the engine out) having something loose and close the lid. Sit in the engine compartment and see what is going on. With the engine out you can get the lid reopened if you need to.

Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:57 pm

Shims (washers) is what I used between my 1957 buses apron and frame ends. I have two washers on each bolt, which lined the apron up, properly.

Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:10 pm

Does everything with the apron line up? For instance, the 2 bolts that hold in the top corners by the battery trays? Does the apron line up with the corners flush when mounted? Just wondering if something is tweaked somehow. The picture you posted looks fine though.

My '61 Truck deck lid doesn't close easy but that is because both hinges are breaking off the deck lid. It works fine though, you just have to slam it a bit. It will latch if you just drop it too. I could take some photos if you want pictures of anything specific.

Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:02 am

EverettB wrote: Does everything with the apron line up? For instance, the 2 bolts that hold in the top corners by the battery trays? Does the apron line up with the corners flush when mounted? Just wondering if something is tweaked somehow. The picture you posted looks fine though.

My '61 Truck deck lid doesn't close easy but that is because both hinges are breaking off the deck lid. It works fine though, you just have to slam it a bit. It will latch if you just drop it too. I could take some photos if you want pictures of anything specific.

First apron I installed had approx 1/8" gap between the seams where it meets up to section where my VIN# is stamped and same on opposite side and didnt close well. Second apron I made sure the corners lined up nice, flat/flush and still doesnt latch.

Each bolt has 1 washer but I suppose I could try Campy and others idea of shimming. I think shimming may give me enough to latch the lid but when I re-install rubber seals, I'm going to need a better solution to because there is no way it will close or latch with seals as-is.

I think the most obvious and logical suggestion made earlier is to find and try a new or different set of hinges. I think this "fix" will require just the right right tweak or adjustment in the end. Thanks for all the suggestions so far, much appreciated !

Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:02 am

Post some better pictures of the hinges if you want, maybe there is an issue there. Your left one does look a little weird to me. I was thinking when you said you tried a different deck lid that this included the hinges as well.

Not the best photo but here's my '61 deck lid as seen from the side:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=492640

Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:10 pm

Yeah, that left hinge looks upside down or like it's not in all the way.