TheSamba.com :: View topic - Help

Tue Sep 17, 2002 2:46 pm

I have replacement vent wing locks for the front of my '71 deluxe. Any helpful tips before I start? Is it better to drill out the old rivet or grind it off? What tool did you use to yank out and install the new wing lock? Can I change the locks without removing the frame, or do I need to disassemble the frame? Thanks for your help.

Tue Sep 17, 2002 9:26 pm

?? Your 71 bus vent wing locks should be held on with a roll pin. Look at the pivot point for a hole.

If you have vent wing locks that are held on with a rivet, you have 68-only vent windows.

Wed Sep 18, 2002 7:28 am

If the pivot points are all slopped out or got frozen and the arm busted off he may be trying to replace the whole latch assembly.
No you do not have to remove the whole vent assembly but you need to pull the glass out... grab it with both hands (very dry) and yank it... it should yield and come on out... small dremel or die grinder or drill doesn't matter on the rivets.... then with a stiff but thin blade screwdriver you can "pry' the base of the latch assem up and off...
Did you get the special rivits to re-install the new ones?... if not regualar rivets will suffice but need to be "peened down" or ground a bit to be flush enough to not interfere when putting the glass/rubber strip back in.... Patience is required on this job for sure... don't want to bend or tweak the frame the glass sits in...
If it is not the whole latch. Like Rob says on most models the knob/latch handle can be changed by drifting out a tiny roll pin.....

Wed Sep 18, 2002 8:55 am

Thanks guys. I would have surely made a mess of things without your info. Luckily I did get the special rivets. I will do it this weekend and let you know what I fixed and/or what I broke.

Mon Sep 23, 2002 9:14 am

Well. I got the glass out and the rivets out without a hitch thanks to your help. Problem was, I didn't have the correct riveter. I could not get the rivets on. So, it is a trip to the hardware store today at lunch and if the tool is very expensive, I might just have to take it to my local mechanic to rivet.

Mon Sep 23, 2002 5:31 pm

Depending on what kind of rivits you have you may be able to improvise without having to buy a special tool.
I've used regular rivets installed from the bottom side and the using ( with an assistant) a block of wood with a piece of flat metal, "peened" them down and ground off excess so the rubber and glass will fit.... does that make sense????

Tue Sep 24, 2002 9:09 am

Yep, it makes sense. I went and got the VW type rivet that is made of soft metal and is installed by squashing it down with a special smasher or anvil and punch. But I chickened out and just left the van at the mechanics shop to be riveted.

Seems I got a whole 'nother problem I left with the mechanic. The hard start relay is activated when I turn on my headlights! Must have a short. The starter turns over when I turn on my headlights. Not a feature I want for the van.

Mon Sep 30, 2002 9:06 am

Success. The mechanic riveted the vent wing lock for me. He ditched the VW rivets and used his own regular rivets like you suggested and they worked just fine. I put the glass back in and it fit. Cool. Now I got like 100 other similar things to fix. Thanks for the tips.