How to preserve speaker grill tabs

[Wayne S. Johnson]

I plan to drill a hole in the speaker grill tabs and insert COTTER HAIR PINS to hold the grill in place. A small rubber washer under the cotter pin will create tension on the grill to prevent it from rattling. Any thoughts, good/bad ides?

COTTER HAIR PINS

_________________
Additional products https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=Wayne+S.+Johnson
Additional products with Bluetooth http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2097231

[Cusser]

In my 1970 and 1971, the tabs of the grilles get slightly twisted to hold them in place (opposite of twisting them flat to remove them).

I think what you show in your photo are commonly called "hitch pins" even if they're small. Cotter pins are inserted, and then the ends are spread.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[Bryan67]

Just twist the tabs. That's the way they were always done.
_________________
If you`re going to do something, do it right.

[67rustavenger]

If I'm not mistaken. The op is wanting to mount a trip computer on the speaker grill. When he shows the car, the idea is to remove the grill and replace it with a stock one. Then reinstall the trip computer for the drive home.
Untwisting and twisting the tabs over time will fatigue them causing them to fail. So he's looking for ideas to preserve the tabs.
Have a great day.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[Wayne S. Johnson]

[67rustavenger]

Can you explain the markings on the speedo? Is that a superimposed image.
Have a great day.

[BotanyBandit]

Sounds like a legit idea, I had to fabricate atleast 3 tabs for mine. Not fun. I will be trying this, maybe with wire though, thanks for the idea !

[Cusser]

[Wayne S. Johnson]

Cut some foam to spring load the grill, oval washer and cotter pin works great. If the tabs break off, welding on new ones will burn the paint.

The Samba Dog Oath
Man will not harm a Beetle!

_________________
Additional products https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=Wayne+S.+Johnson
Additional products with Bluetooth http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2097231

[Chad M]

Annealing those tabs using a 12v battery (heating using the short to ground) prior to breakage saves the tabs and saves most of the surrounding paint. It's an old trick to save the ignition switch mounts (and the paint!) on a /5 BMW motorcycle.

[splitjunkie]

[Cusser]

[glutamodo]

[67rustavenger]

[Wayne S. Johnson]

Tach-O-Meter Static Cling Decal
RECREATION FROM THE PAST VVWCA EXCLUSIVE

It took a bit of engineering, but we're pleased to offer in limited quantity, a recreation from 1957. This static cling decal attaches to the glass face of your speedometer. providing you with the shifting points and RPMs for each gear. This novelty item will be the talk of you all your friends.

HOW IT ORIGINATED
To be honest, we have no idea. All we know is that this accessory dates back to 1957. The Speed-O-Tach was nothing more than a decal that was applied to the front glass of your speedometer. A few years ago a VW friend of ours showed us the Speed-O-Tach as illustrated in the first photo in it's original condition. We photographed it from several perspectives and set the aside. A couple of years ago, another VW friend of our helped recreate the faceplate. We had decided that decals were inconvenient and difficult to reapply if you were off just a tad So, we explored the possibilities of creating a static cling application.

When applied, the Speed-O-Tach recommends shifting points for each gear at various speeds. Is it 100% accurate? You be the judge. Regardless, it's a great novelty now reproduced in limited quantities for the very first time since the 1950s.

Application is easy: clean off your speed-o-face and apply the static cling Speed-O-Tach. It can be removed at anytime you would like.

It's cool, it's different and it's inexpensive, and it will fit any 80-90 mile per hour flat-faced VW speedo (note: late model years may need some minor trimming). Does not fit Super Beetle speedometers.

Available for $11.95
http://www.vvwca.com/regaliapics/tachdecal.html
_________________
Additional products https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=Wayne+S.+Johnson
Additional products with Bluetooth http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2097231

[glutamodo]

[Harris]

I switch out the tack and radio speaker grill from time to time. Drilled holes in the tabs and spring loaded them to the flasher bracket. Original grill out and tack (donor grill ) in as desired. No twisting of tabs that eventually break. Holds in nice and tight.

[Meiang]

The Zemco unit could be attached to the grill by magnets which have been stuck to it by strong double sided tape. The benefits of a metal dashboard.

As a side note, I once locked my Beetle with the key in the ignition. Fortunately I had not pushed the boot lid closed fully (i.e. locked) this allowed me to retrieve the key from the ignition via the speaker grill which I removed after twisting the tabs to release it.

[Wayne S. Johnson]