Rear hatch adjustment help needed

[Sage79]

I've installed a different rear hatch on my '79 but it rubs badly on the left side and the gap is large on the right. I don't think the original did that but I could be wrong because there were so many things that needed attention I may not have noticed. Note that late hatches don't have the wedges that the early ones do.

Is there a way to adjust the side to side? I'm considering trying to bend the hinge mount arms or install washers on the left side to push it over. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated before I do anything I shouldn't. (I could not find any other threads on this topic.) Thanks,

Dirk
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Dirk
'79 Westy 2.0FI
'73 Sportsmobile 1.7dual Solex 003Auto - now my daughter's
'77 delux 2.0FI 090Auto - now my son's

[Sett]

If I remember right you can loosen the brackets on the hatch and it will give you some side to side adjustment.

[VDubTech]

The adjustment is on the hinges where the hatch bolts on. You need to adjust one side up, the other side down and keep tweaking it until it's right.
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First Trip in the RustyBus:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279077&highlight=

[SGKent]

I looked at my 1977 and it simply bolts on with no shims. If the bottom and top are even but the sides are off, then the hinges need to move sideways as that is the only thing I can see that would affect sideways placement. If the top and bottom are uneven then follow VDubTech's instructions first. Take a break from it before you start pounding on things.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Sage79]

Thanks, I've tried adjusting the mounting screws and can get adjustment up/down and in/out to square things up but nothing seems to move it side to side significantly. The left hinge arm actually rubs the body also at one point in the travel so I think something must be tweaked.

Dirk
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Dirk
'79 Westy 2.0FI
'73 Sportsmobile 1.7dual Solex 003Auto - now my daughter's
'77 delux 2.0FI 090Auto - now my son's

[SGKent]

I just came across this photo in another thread if it helps.

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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Sage79]

That's what mine looks like but I don't see any adjustment capability. I need to put the newly painted hatch on and don't want it to rub. I'm going to start trying to bend the hinges but I sure wish there was a more elegant solution. I'll probably try some shim washers first as less destrucitve.
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Dirk
'79 Westy 2.0FI
'73 Sportsmobile 1.7dual Solex 003Auto - now my daughter's
'77 delux 2.0FI 090Auto - now my son's

[busdaddy]

Shim away, but sooner or later the hatch opening will get too narrow for the hinges and thier added accoutriments.
The adjustment method for that is Klaus stands on one side (cigarette in his mouth so the smoke goes right into his eye) and Herman stands on the other (both really tall guys, other workers need step stools), on the count of three Klaus pushes (and lets out a nasty sauerkraut fart as it's after lunch ) while Herman pulls with all his might in a quick jerking motion. After waiting a few minutes for the air to return to levels that are acceptable to the on duty safety inspector at the factory they return and slooooowly close the hatch to confirm it's alignment. If it went too far they shove it back a bit (Herman now has a respirator), and if it needs to go a bit more they do it again.

If your're worried put masking tape on all the edges and wear gloves, smoke and sauerkraut optional
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[Desertbusman]

I bought a new Dodge and the drivers door didn't close with the good "click" like it should have. So the body shop shoved a 2x4 in the door jamb and slammed it real hard just once. It then shut flawlessly. They must have heard someone say "One ping only".
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71 Superbug
71 Westy

[Sage79]

Thanks 'daddy it's always good to understand the OG way! My wife will cook up some Sauerkruaut.
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Dirk
'79 Westy 2.0FI
'73 Sportsmobile 1.7dual Solex 003Auto - now my daughter's
'77 delux 2.0FI 090Auto - now my son's

[mdkeranen]

[Sage79]

To follow through on my thread, even though old: I used a 2X4 and with help inside to hold in place, bent the hinges and got it to line up nicely. I don't remember exactly where but by studying the action figured out what needed to bend.
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Dirk
'79 Westy 2.0FI
'73 Sportsmobile 1.7dual Solex 003Auto - now my daughter's
'77 delux 2.0FI 090Auto - now my son's

[Tcash]

Thanks for following up.

For those of you out there this is the Rear hatch hinge in question.
Note: in this picture he is reinstalling the tension spring.

[flemcadiddlehopper]

[mikedjames]