Installing a Vent Wing Rivet in a 66' Beetle

[Clinton]

I was looking to replace the vent wing rivet in a 66' Beetle without using a pop rivet or a screw. I ordered the vent wing rivet from Wolfsburg West part# N136612 $.60ea. Then I ordered RAM PRO Snap Kit Tool Kit $29.99.

Remove #1 & #13 from their plastic clips.

Use the back of 13 (flat non-dished side) on flat side of rivet.

Spray #1 with WD40 and place stack up in bench vise and compress.

This is the old rivet.

This is the new rivet.

[Bryan67]

That's the best job I`ve seen yet.
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[hitest]

[andk5591]

Thanks....probably gonna order one myself.
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[oe_tuner]

YES! I am actually excited to rebuild my vent windows now. Excellent write up. Thanks!

[EverettB]

Awesome, thanks for posting this.
I added it to the FAQ too!

I wonder if that fits a Bus vent wing too, they are really tight when I've tried to do it.
Example:

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[andk5591]

I remember years ago someone had glued or welded a metal ball....like a big b-b to the jaw of a vicegrip or pliers...
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[EverettB]

Yes, I have seen that too.
I have done it by smashing a small ball bearing in between pliers.
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How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[Digger89L]

I've a similar style rivet made from an appropriate size flat-head iron nail. A small hole was drilled in the end of the short shaft, and then it was spread open using a hammer and a rounded-over center-punch. A little finicky and picky to do, but it worked for the one wing rivet that needed repairing. The iron nail tends to rust, though.
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"If you can't fix it with pop rivets, crazy glue and duct tape, or hold it together with zip ties, velcro or magnets, it REALLY is broken."

[my3bugs]

i put in a few vent wing rivets , i forget exactly how , pliers n a ball bearing to flare the one end something like that .......Then i saw these on the bay , i offered the seller half of what he was asking and got em .... the tool is marked VW

[corro23]

Nice post! Bookmarked!
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64 - Next project
66 - Maintaining
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73 Super (sold)
63, 66, 73 Super (history)