TheSamba.com :: View topic - Another "unable to close long spoon latch" thread

Sat Aug 09, 2025 4:27 pm

I found a few other threads about people being unable to close their long spoon latches, but I didn't see any resolution.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=755254
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=507647

I'm currently having the issue with my bus; here's a crappy video (the GoPro couldn't focus that closely) https://i.imgur.com/q3idyta.mp4
And another that's better quality from a different angle. https://i.imgur.com/Bf10izh.mp4

I tried with both an original latch and a AAC reproduction (which is really nice, BTW). I did some basic measurements and they're virtually identical.

Yes, I have the spacer installed. I bought a pair of the WW spacers, which are a tiny bit thicker than original - it made no difference

Yes, I know there's fore-and-aft adjustment on the rear latches - there was no magical adjustment that let them close.

When installed on the other window openings, the symptom is exactly the same.

No, I didn't have the body-side seal installed yet

The kicker is, this bus had long spoons when I got it (except for the front passenger-side cargo door).

The popout frames are the originals to this bus.

The popout latch is original to this bus

On the cargo doors, the latch wants to drag across the door frame when closed.

What's the secret to getting these things installed? I don't have any good up-close pictures of the window latches from before I dismembered the bus.

For the time being, I'm using the 'medium' spoon latches.

Sat Aug 09, 2025 6:12 pm

I can't help you but in the videos there is metal fatigue occuring right before my very eyes so I hope you don't get cracks in that newness of everything or tweak a frame.

Sat Aug 09, 2025 8:50 pm

In Your video it looks like the tab on the frame is hitting the latch and you don’t have all the screws on the body side. I’ve had luck adjusting the 2 screws at the frame.

Sun Aug 10, 2025 6:30 am

thom wrote: I found a few other threads about people being unable to close their long spoon latches, but I didn't see any resolution.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=755254
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=507647

I'm currently having the issue with my bus; here's a crappy video (the GoPro couldn't focus that closely) https://i.imgur.com/q3idyta.mp4
And another that's better quality from a different angle. https://i.imgur.com/Bf10izh.mp4

I tried with both an original latch and a AAC reproduction (which is really nice, BTW). I did some basic measurements and they're virtually identical.

Yes, I have the spacer installed. I bought a pair of the WW spacers, which are a tiny bit thicker than original - it made no difference

Yes, I know there's fore-and-aft adjustment on the rear latches - there was no magical adjustment that let them close.

When installed on the other window openings, the symptom is exactly the same.

No, I didn't have the body-side seal installed yet

The kicker is, this bus had long spoons when I got it (except for the front passenger-side cargo door).

The popout frames are the originals to this bus.

The popout latch is original to this bus

On the cargo doors, the latch wants to drag across the door frame when closed.

What's the secret to getting these things installed? I don't have any good up-close pictures of the window latches from before I dismembered the bus.

For the time being, I'm using the 'medium' spoon latches.

It wasn't designed to work without all the parts. It should operate correctly once the window frame contacts the seal in the window opening. Otherwise you are pulling the window too far into the opening and putting the action of the latch mechanism in a bind.

Sun Aug 10, 2025 6:43 am

I hope I’m not high jacking this thread with this question but it might be relevant.

Is the spacing between the window mounting point and the body mounting point the same on long and short spoon latches? I’ve seen late buses with long spoon and wondered about that. Can you close them without problems.

Sun Aug 10, 2025 8:04 am

I would try it with the body window ledge seal installed. Without the seal, you are changing the geometry the latch is designed to operate within. The latch is trying to swing open, but the pop-out frame is pulling too far in, if that makes sense.

Did you try any of the other long spoons on that particular pop-out frame?

Mon Aug 11, 2025 11:32 am

I seem to remember messing around with the latch to frame screws on my Standard to get them to work right.

Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:51 pm

I spent some more time playing with it - with the seal installed - to no avail. I could find no point in the adjustment that would get it to work. The one thing I didn't try was doubling-up the spacers.

The 'medium' spoon latches work without any issues whatsoever.