Need some help with my new tire jack. Doesn't seem to fit

[User]

into the clip attachment.

Can someone send a photo?

with the base at the top and the jack mechanism at the base the clip is too far over to fully depress and lock the clip.

To pull it over it feels like it will break.

Thanks for any and all info

[wayne1230cars]

Perhaps this pic from the owner's manual might help.
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1960 beetle
1970 beetle convertible

[User]

Thanks Wayne.....

I don't have one yet.

That photo helps.

[wayne1230cars]

No problem. The Samba technical section has these manuals for downloading. The manuals really are a great source of information and photos.
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1960 beetle
1970 beetle convertible

[Volksfolken]

I have the same problem as User from 2013. I´ve also referred to the manual page above, but that hasn´t solved the problem. Photos show the jack in place, but I literally don´t have the strength to pull the clip hard enough to lock it.

Also, my jack -- original to my 1965 beetle -- appears to be longer than the one in the manual page above, and in my copy of the manual (see pics). The stem seems too thick to fit into the bracket, and, likewise, the band on the clip does not seem long enough to actually lock around the jack. The angle also seems off, if the jack is really meant to fit in the clip.

Note that the clip isn´t locked in the top photo, and the jack´s just slightly out of place in the lower one, which is meant to show that the clip band seems too short to go around the jack stem, and the stem that seems to wide to slot into the fixed part of the clip.

It´s been decades since the jack´s been in place (I´ve owned the car for almost its entire life) but now I´m wondering if it was ever clipped in properly. I´d like to clip it in place now, as I´m a little more leery about having chunks of metal loose in the trunk than I once was, and I´m also actually using the trunk more now.

Using a tool to force the clip seems imprudent on the face of it -- I really, really don´t want to damage either the clip or the trunk -- but what am I missing here? Is enormous force required?

Does the Samba community have any advice? It would be much appreciated! Thanks.

[67rustavenger]

Take a look at the car manual pic. Notice the the jack shaft when in the storage clip. Rests past the bumper support bracket.
Yours appears to be resting on top of the support bracket.

Also in the car manual pic, the jacking mechanism is completely bottomed out on the jack shaft.
Yours should be too. If not, the jack will not slip into the storage clip.
The jack foot is contacting the inner fender.

As a recommendation, clean the jacking mechanism with some WD-40.
It will look better and work better when you need to use it in an emergency situation.
_________________
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!

[Volksfolken]

Thanks, 67rustavenger! I didn´t look carefully enough at the jack placement -- lesson taken.

And thanks, too, for the tip about cleaning the mechanism with WD-40. My bug was in storage for a while, and I´m just getting around to the small details now. (Not small if there´s a problem, of course!)

I couldn´t get the mechanism to bottom out further, but I´m guessing your recommendation to clear the jack will take care of that.

Thanks again -- I really appreciate the assistance to a newcomer!

[67rustavenger]

[Volksfolken]

Got a chance this weekend to take your advice. The jack is now working very smoothly, including dropping that last inch, and fits perfectly into the clip. Adding the photo for the next novice down the pike!

Love the kindness for even the most basic questions on The Samba!