'76 Pop top alignment problems

[highlandmurf]

Working on my Pop top and tent, and wondering about some alignment issues that I have been having.

My top is very tight across the back. So much so that it has cracked under the pressure of being squeezed against the roof.

Also, a friend of mine mentioned that mine is much harder to close than his '77.

Lastly, the front passenger side of the pop top, has always sat proud of the luggage rack in the closed position.

Here is a random pic of the passenger side before it was disassembled . It is tough to see, but in the locked position, there is about a 1/2" gap where the seal meets the luggage rack.

Here is the crack, before repair:

When raised, I have an even 4 1/2" across from the gutter to the top.

As it closes it bears down on the tin top in the back. Here you can see my repair trying to open up as well:

And the drivers side:

Sides:

The PO put some foam tape on the bed hinges. The top seems to want to pivot on this point, in its last few inches of travel into the locked position.

Here you can make out the dark spot on the inner top, where it hits the black foam tape:

To my eye, it seems like it would need to be shimmed up 1/2" to 3/4" between the rear hinges ant the top.

So, what do you all think? I straightened out the rear hinges. they were bent slightly laterally, but not by much. They are in pretty good shape.
_________________
1976 Westy Marigold Yellow
2.0 stock FI
My M-Plate

[drober23]

There are two styles of hinge for the late pop-tops. Are both of yours the same? Can you get us a closeup of the full hinge from the outside?

Also, did you just remove the seal for the pictures? Or have you been running without the seal that goes on the bottom of the fiberglass? I suspect the seal might protect the fiberglass a bit from spreading like yours did. But you seem to have an alignment problem with the top.
_________________
DJ

'75 Westfalia, '79 Deluxe, and some others...
(more busses than sense)

In a time of chimpanzees I was a monkey

[highlandmurf]

The seal was removed in order to refurb the top.

I was unaware that the there were two late bay hinge types. Mine is an early '76. When did they change?

Any one got pics of the two types?

I will add a pic of my hinges when I get back to my laptop.
_________________
1976 Westy Marigold Yellow
2.0 stock FI
My M-Plate

[werksberg]

Any adjustment in the lower mounting of thew pop top hinges too? If not...maybe slot them a little to move the whole top back a little?
_________________
Werksberg Products....Products that work!

Follow my new products on my Facebook Werks Berg
Click the below ADs link for products & feedback.
Search "werksberg" on Photobucket for products photos & Please remember to buy "American made products!"

[Ruffturn]

I don't have any idea of a solution, but since I'm looking at getting a bus just like that one (76 westy), did the problem only occur after you started to change the fabric?
_________________
72 Baja lookin' Super

Everything is ultimately relative.

[highlandmurf]

Took a good look at the roof again earlier. Unfortunately I forgot to get some hinge pics. As far as I can see the only difference in late bay pop top hinges are the '73 which is still a front facing top, and the 74-79 hinge. Is this correct?

To answer a few questions:

The top has been a little out of wack since I have owned it, but this is the first time I have really taken a good look at it.

The hinges are back as far as they can go. If I opened up the slots for the bolts, I would not be able to get the front latch to adjust much more.
_________________
1976 Westy Marigold Yellow
2.0 stock FI
My M-Plate

[highlandmurf]

OK, Started getting this project buttoned up. Still have had no success getting the top to seat any better.

Finally got some pics of the hinges:

Drivers side:

Passenger side:

I shimmed the hinge up with some 1/2" plywood, but I think it is still resting on the back not on the hinge. I can not shim any more, because I may not have any more slack in the tent.

I was thinking of clamping a bolt and some washers together at the front of the hinge track in order to get the hinge to stop and raise at the end of it's motion.
This will take some experimenting, and I am uncertain weather it would work at all.

If anything jumps out at anyone, let me know. The top does not appear to be warped in any direction too badly, just slightly racked where the passenger side sticks up at the luggage rack. I would like to eliminate that gap, and the probability that the rear corner will crack again.

Thanks
_________________
1976 Westy Marigold Yellow
2.0 stock FI
My M-Plate

[aerosurfer]

Hijack alert......

In your first picture, do you have something above your license plate pushing against the spare? I assume this is to help dampen any movement? Any more pics?
_________________
Rebuild your own FI Harness..My Harness

77 Westy 2.0L Rockin and Rolling Resto!

72 Sportsmobile (sold)
79 Tran$porter... Parts car money machine (gone)

[pgtips]

Huh, mad, I just posted an exact same Q about my pop top bow, I've just repaired bent brackets.

Has your wood shim helped, it must have I guess.?

I plan to raise mine under the other bracket to lift the whole unit up a bit.

I tried moving it forward and/or back (the whole roof section) but that affects the pop down latch which is very difficult to adjust so had to revert back. There's not much else I can see you can do after shims but you have a bit of flexibility because you can loosen up the rear fabric but its a pain.
_________________
1975 1.8l FI Auto Westy - Subaru converted
1971 356 kit 1600 TP - semi/stickshift
1971 1302 LS - semi/stickshift

Trim ring info here -> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559668
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=451210
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479721

[highlandmurf]

The "thing" above the license plate is another license plate:

The shims really did not do anything, as the top is still resting on the back of the tin top so that there is no pressure on the hinge when it is closed.

I tried putting a shim between the plywood of the bed, and the top and pulling down hard on the handle to lock the top. The rear did not lift at all.

I will be taking the shims out, as all they are doing is giving me less space to staple the back of the tent.

And the verdict is that "it is what it is". I can't see any way of improving the look or function without getting new hinges or another top.
_________________
1976 Westy Marigold Yellow
2.0 stock FI
My M-Plate

[Stuartzickefoose]

i vote you try to slide the passenger side toward the back of the bus by loosening the bolts on the rear hinge, and slide the drive side forward a bit. basically rotating the top a tiny tiny bit clockwise if looking straight down on the top from the air.
_________________
Stuart Zickefoose

2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual

206-841-7324
[email protected]

[xoo00oox]

Just for comparison, here is a Vanagon Westy hinge

And these are the one we make for the new Country Homes Campers roof

[pgtips]

[vwwestyman]

Kind of an old thread, but was there ever any success? Or anyone else following along have any ideas?

My top has the same problem with a rear corner pushing on the body and cracking.

_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[pgtips]

never really solved it, its just what it is.

You might find the bottom rubber strip around the bottom (which I couldn't see on your roof) will stop so much vibration through the roof i.e less cracking.

PG
_________________
1975 1.8l FI Auto Westy - Subaru converted
1971 356 kit 1600 TP - semi/stickshift
1971 1302 LS - semi/stickshift

Trim ring info here -> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559668
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=451210
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479721

[vwwestyman]

I hope so. I'm prepping to paint the top so no rubber is installed. Actually the rubber has been gone for a long time so that may have contributed to the cracking.

I fiberglassed over and behind the crack last night. I took one strip of the fiiberglass mat and folded it up and behind. I filled the crack with a bunched up strand of the fiberglass and resin rather than trying to push it together and make it stay together. I'm hopeful that keeping it in the expanded state will not add stress to the crack, making it want to reopen.
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[Rapturee]

Hello All. I too am having a similar problem with my 72' i purchased and am working on. My situation is a little different though. The PO had a family reunion and allowed a couple of kids to stay in it, they then failed to secure the top when they were done. And of course, as things would would sometimes happen, the next really bad wind storm ripped the top completely off and landed it in the next door neighbors yard! So, i have two badly bent/broken front hinges that i need to replace or attempt to rebuild/repair. Any suggestions for an aftermarket pair? Thanks! :{)
_________________
'00 TDI Beetle- "stink bug"
'72 Westy-"SOLD"

"Integrity & Honor"

[Xevin]

If you should need.


http://www.buttysbits.com/westfalia-parts.html
_________________
Keep on Busin'

[Rapturee]

Thanks Xevin... :{)
_________________
'00 TDI Beetle- "stink bug"
'72 Westy-"SOLD"

"Integrity & Honor"

[kleinevw]

[quote="xoo00oox"]

Are these 2 late model front facing hinges interchangable?