Trouble raising my pop top

[larrytrk]

Maybe I need Viagra to get it up, because my newly acquired 87 Westy' pop top is a BEAR to erect.
My 83, from a few years ago was not this difficult.
It has a new 3 window canvas and a Thule rack, could that extra weight account for the difficulty?
Are there any accessory struts, like on the "California", available.
Do I need to eat more spinach?
Do I need to take "AARNOLD", with me whenever I go camping?

Should I try to lube the runners in back, could they cause the problem?
The top lowers easily!!
Thanks.
_________________
It's all in your mind.
I Hate BAMBI!
87 Westy full camper "Bluie" aka-"busturd"
JUST SOLD HER, WESTYLESS!
Good by cruel world!

[zippyslug31]

Coupla thoughts....

the new canvas might be stiff? I know that the aftermarket material makes the top stiffer.

is your rack loaded? When I have my Yakima pod on the van, even empty it can be damn near dangerous to pop the top (read VERY HEAVY).

rusty spots at any of the pop top's pivot points? Maybe hose them in WD40 and see if it helps.
_________________
previous:
'80 westy
current:
'90 syncro westy 2.5L subi, triple knob, 16" wheels.
'84 sunroof van, 2.1L motor.

[Dark Alley Dan]

I've found that German dedication to thorough weatherproofing can be problematic.

If I attempt to raise the top with the doors and windows closed, as well as the tent windows zippered shut, the suction alone makes the lid feel like she's made of granite.

Could this be the issue?

Dan
_________________
Dark Alley Dan
______________________
I blame rap music. For everything.

[larrytrk]

[wbx]

AFAIK, there are springs in the lower arms of the pop-top struts that are supposed to act as a counter-balance. I haven't heard too many complaints of this area, but there have been 1 or 2. I don't know if there is a fix even, so in other words - i don't think i've given you any useful information other than a possible explanation.

-Damon
_________________
'84 Westy (first owner).......but my daily driver has pedals
My "perspective" mantra:
A Volkswagen Vanagon is just a material thing,
As such, it is of the earth,
And if i need to, I can let my Van go.

[msinabottle]

Find all your pivot points, and clean them, I'd suggest shots of brake cleaner if it doesn't get on the paint, or lighter fluid on a toothbrush, or Simple Green, which is probably the safest thing to use and will do a good job for you if you give it some time and a bit of scrubbing.

Then lube 'em with something heavier than WD-40, like 3 in 1, White Lithium, or the like. Gunk can really add to the friction, and the friction can do AMAZING things to the amount of effort any job requires.

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

[amishman]

The rack is to blame in my opinion. My top was rather easy to lift when I had no rack and basket. I added a rack and basket and now it takes a olympic gold medalist to do a dead lift with red face style approach to get it up. I now push the top up part of the way by pushing the top rather than the bar and once it is up part of the way, I push up with a quick push and alternate my hands to the main bar and push like a mad man to get it up all the way and then locked in place. That works for me and my name is now Boris from russia and the dead lift king.

tj
_________________
tj (the Amishman)

Come visit my web site!
http://www.vwhippie.com

[zippyslug31]

[Surfalia]

I have a yakima rack and it doesn't make it any harder to lift the top. Only when I have a few surfboards on the rack does lifting the top become tough. I have been thinking of trying to rig up a couple of the rear hatch assist shocks on my top but haven't yet. First I gotta get off the side of the road....no spark...no juice to the fuel pump

[tclark]

[hiram6]

Also you've got to consider where your rack and pod are mounted in relation to the hinge/pivot point of your pop-top. If you have your extra weight (the rack and pod + contents) mounted further away from the pivot point, in essence they are going to seem heavier.

Imagine swinging a baseball bat the normal way (weight out at end of bat). Now switch ends of the bat, so you're holding the barrel end in your hands, and the handle part of the bat is at the other end. Will semm much easier to swing, because you're not swinging the heavy end, it's in your hands!

If your weight is towards the front of your pop-top, you're lifting the heavy part. If your rack is towards the back, closer to the hinge, it should have less of an impact on the effort required to lift the top.

Not sure if that made sense, but I'm too tired to try again!!
_________________
1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited

You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning.

[fyrgrrl]

Uhhhh....I put a Thule box on top of my camper...and my dad and I can barely get the bad boy "popped".

MY GAWD!!! That was a killer but the real killer was when it was time to get it back down....I was ready to drive with the top up....we did get it down but we weren't feeling too good afterwards.

I have to admit my dad is 83 and I am a mere 130lbs and 5'6"....but I have no problem with the box off the top. So I have to go with, "It's the pod." And my rack is installed forward....about over the sliding door.
_________________
1987 Vanagon Westfalia (manual) - "Van Hildegaard"
1987 Vanagon Westfalia (auto)
1985 Vanagon GL 7-passenger van (auto) - "Blau Frau"
1985 Vanagon GL 7-passenger van (manual) - "Braunkuh"
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback (auto)
2003 Subaru Legacy L wagon (auto)