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eeclark
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 257
Location: Indiana
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 Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 11:23 am Post subject: Wolfsburg West Headlight Adjusting Screw DN Fit please help |
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So the guys at Wolfsburg West were very nice and apologetic since it turned that out the headlight adjusting screws they are selling did NOT in fact fit a Bosch headlight assembly in my 58 Beetle.
I have tried screw shops like Fastenal, Evansville Screw and Bolt, Home Depot, Wolfsburg West, Wagen Werks, TheSamba classifieds.... no one has the right screw.
Any ideas where else to check?
It is an Oval slotted M3 (3mm) x 60mm screw.
_________________
Ed
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1958 VW Euro Beetle from Sweden
1969 VW Type 3 Fastback from California
Last edited by eeclark on Wed Apr 23, 2014 3:33 pm; edited 5 times in total |
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hitest
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008
Posts: 10296
Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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Yes- your nearest VW swap meet. Or a friend in town. Those are super easy to find from an air-cooled VW shop. That is strange that it won't fit good, healthy pins. Am I assuming correctly your lights' screws are positioned at 5 and 7? If so- I've had unusual luck in swapping screws back and forth between Bosch and Hella with ease.
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| EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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eeclark
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 257
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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| hitest wrote: |
| super easy to find from an air-cooled VW shop. |
You would have thought Wolfsburg West would know that it was not a M4 screw though. I am am trying to see if a local guy has one, but like I said..no stores carry this screw so the only hope is like you said a swap meet. Soonest one is June.
_________________
Ed
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1958 VW Euro Beetle from Sweden
1969 VW Type 3 Fastback from California
Last edited by eeclark on Thu Apr 24, 2014 5:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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KTPhil 
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 34003
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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| If you are really desperate you can straighten and run a die over those threads to clean it up. It will then rust so use some anti-seize over the threads when you fit it. |
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eeclark
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 257
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
| If you are really desperate you can straighten and run a die over those threads to clean it up. It will then rust so use some anti-seize over the threads when you fit it. |
Its broken in half. That's why I taped it together so I won't lose the pieces. Thanks though.
_________________
Ed
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1958 VW Euro Beetle from Sweden
1969 VW Type 3 Fastback from California |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31361
Location: Hot Arizona
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eeclark
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 257
Location: Indiana
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eeclark
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 257
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
| If you are really desperate you can straighten and run a die over those threads to clean it up. It will then rust so use some anti-seize over the threads when you fit it. |
I was really desperate and made my own from a nail and an M3 Die Cutter.
_________________
Ed
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1958 VW Euro Beetle from Sweden
1969 VW Type 3 Fastback from California |
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eeclark
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 257
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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| hitest wrote: |
| Yes- your nearest VW swap meet. Or a friend in town. Those are super easy to find from an air-cooled VW shop. That is strange that it won't fit good, healthy pins. Am I assuming correctly your lights' screws are positioned at 5 and 7? If so- I've had unusual luck in swapping screws back and forth between Bosch and Hella with ease. |
Light screws are 12 O Clock and 9 O Clock, just like in the manual.
_________________
Ed
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1958 VW Euro Beetle from Sweden
1969 VW Type 3 Fastback from California |
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KTPhil
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 34003
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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| eeclark wrote: |
| KTPhil wrote: |
| If you are really desperate you can straighten and run a die over those threads to clean it up. It will then rust so use some anti-seize over the threads when you fit it. |
Its broken in half. That's why I taped it together so I won't lose the pieces. Thanks though. |
I thought it was just wrapped in tape. Bummer. |
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hitest
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008
Posts: 10296
Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 7:30 am Post subject: |
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Since I haven't seen one of these taken apart in a long time- are the side screws and the top really the same length? I'm surprised where the top has such little clearance.
I'll look in my parts box this weekend- I rebuild a lot of the standard Hella assemblies- so if I come across the right screws for you- I'll report back post-haste...
_________________
| EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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eeclark
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 257
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:01 am Post subject: |
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| hitest wrote: |
Since I haven't seen one of these taken apart in a long time- are the side screws and the top really the same length? I'm surprised where the top has such little clearance.
I'll look in my parts box this weekend- I rebuild a lot of the standard Hella assemblies- so if I come across the right screws for you- I'll report back post-haste... |
Thanks. I appreciate it. Side and top appear to be the same length. The only issue with used ones is that the end was peened at the factory so that you could not back the screw out all the way. I can rethread it though so I can insert it in. The only reason I was able to remove this one was because it was broken in the middle and I just spun it until it came out the other way.
Look forward to the follow up, Hitest! Thanks again.
_________________
Ed
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1958 VW Euro Beetle from Sweden
1969 VW Type 3 Fastback from California |
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eeclark
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 257
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2014 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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Still haven't found the right screw.
Bugcity.com said that M3 was never used but the screw I hold in my hand begs to differ.
This is from a Bosch European (non-sealed beam) Headlight.
I found a manufacturer that can make them but minimum order is 500 pieces.
_________________
Ed
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1958 VW Euro Beetle from Sweden
1969 VW Type 3 Fastback from California |
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notsnarb
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2006
Posts: 845
Location: MI
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2014 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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| eeclark wrote: |
Still haven't found the right screw.
Bugcity.com said that M3 was never used but the screw I hold in my hand begs to differ.
This is from a Bosch European (non-sealed beam) Headlight.
I found a manufacturer that can make them but minimum order is 500 pieces. |
Try Volksbolts in the UK he'll happily ship them to the US, here's a link to the correct equivalent bolt and I think they are stainless too.
http://www.volksbolts.com/vwb2.htm
VWB-5.1.2 Sloping Headlamp Securing and Adjuster Screws (up to 1967) |
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eeclark
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 257
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2014 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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| branston wrote: |
| eeclark wrote: |
Still haven't found the right screw.
Bugcity.com said that M3 was never used but the screw I hold in my hand begs to differ.
This is from a Bosch European (non-sealed beam) Headlight.
I found a manufacturer that can make them but minimum order is 500 pieces. |
Try Volksbolts in the UK he'll happily ship them to the US, here's a link to the correct equivalent bolt and I think they are stainless too.
http://www.volksbolts.com/vwb2.htm
VWB-5.1.2 Sloping Headlamp Securing and Adjuster Screws (up to 1967) |
Thanks
Those are same ones I can get stateside. They are too big. Those are M4.
I emailed them some pics though.
_________________
Ed
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1958 VW Euro Beetle from Sweden
1969 VW Type 3 Fastback from California |
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notsnarb
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2006
Posts: 845
Location: MI
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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| I have a bunch of original screws and some NOS boxed VW headlights - I'll pull the screws out at the weekend when I'm home and see what diameter they are. Be aware that VW also made use of M3.5 a bastard size, I'm not suggesting that they are that diameter but don't discount it! |
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eeclark
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 257
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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| branston wrote: |
| I have a bunch of original screws and some NOS boxed VW headlights - I'll pull the screws out at the weekend when I'm home and see what diameter they are. Be aware that VW also made use of M3.5 a bastard size, I'm not suggesting that they are that diameter but don't discount it! |
Thanks. I don't discount anything at this point. 
Look forward to seeing what you find.
_________________
Ed
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1958 VW Euro Beetle from Sweden
1969 VW Type 3 Fastback from California |
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hitest
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008
Posts: 10296
Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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| Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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As you know Ed- we're talking through PMs- but I also wanted to catch the thread readers up on my hunting results. I visited the best fastener store in Boise today- called Tacoma Screw. They have everything I needed for my popout window projects in both my bus and bug, however, the 3m screws they had topped out at only 20mm long. I was very deflated. These are SS- and had a flat, Phillips head- and full-length threads.
I even got to teach the counter guy about the differences in the amount of oval crest on these things. I have not given up though- my life's pretty much lawn mowing and fishing dead critters out of my swimming pool- may as well screw hunt. I am genuinely worried that this job may take me into the dark world of 356 people.
_________________
| EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
|
'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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eeclark
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 257
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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That was a good update. I checked with Fastenal and Evansville Nut and Bolt... Same deal. No one had it.
Mount Vernon Screw said they could make them but with a minimum order of 500.
If enough people wanted / needed it I'd have them do it. 500 pieces would make 125 sets (4 per vehicle).
_________________
Ed
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1958 VW Euro Beetle from Sweden
1969 VW Type 3 Fastback from California
Last edited by eeclark on Wed May 21, 2014 7:39 am; edited 1 time in total |
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hitest
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008
Posts: 10296
Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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| Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 9:03 am Post subject: |
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Oh boy! that would require Porsche people. The SS 20mm screw they gave me was only .08. I'll continue through local VW shops and resources. Meanwhile- don't hit any bumps and knock those out of alignment!
_________________
| EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
|
'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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