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thom
Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2000
Posts: 6202
Location: Sacramento
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 Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 4:27 pm Post subject: Another "unable to close long spoon latch" thread |
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I found a few other threads about people being unable to close their long spoon latches, but I didn't see any resolution.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=755254
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=507647
I'm currently having the issue with my bus; here's a crappy video (the GoPro couldn't focus that closely) https://i.imgur.com/q3idyta.mp4
And another that's better quality from a different angle. https://i.imgur.com/Bf10izh.mp4
I tried with both an original latch and a AAC reproduction (which is really nice, BTW). I did some basic measurements and they're virtually identical.
Yes, I have the spacer installed. I bought a pair of the WW spacers, which are a tiny bit thicker than original - it made no difference
Yes, I know there's fore-and-aft adjustment on the rear latches - there was no magical adjustment that let them close.
When installed on the other window openings, the symptom is exactly the same.
No, I didn't have the body-side seal installed yet
The kicker is, this bus had long spoons when I got it (except for the front passenger-side cargo door).
The popout frames are the originals to this bus.
The popout latch is original to this bus
On the cargo doors, the latch wants to drag across the door frame when closed.
What's the secret to getting these things installed? I don't have any good up-close pictures of the window latches from before I dismembered the bus.
For the time being, I'm using the 'medium' spoon latches.
_________________
-Thom
1956 Single Cab
1957 Porsche 356A Sunroof
1957 23-Window Deluxe
1957 Mercedes Westfalia single cab
1963 Unimog 404
1965 E-Type |
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BarryL 
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 15282
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 6:12 pm Post subject: Re: Another "unable to close long spoon latch" thread |
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| I can't help you but in the videos there is metal fatigue occuring right before my very eyes so I hope you don't get cracks in that newness of everything or tweak a frame. |
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John Ghia
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2004
Posts: 305
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 8:50 pm Post subject: Re: Another "unable to close long spoon latch" thread |
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In Your video it looks like the tab on the frame is hitting the latch and you don’t have all the screws on the body side. I’ve had luck adjusting the 2 screws at the frame.
_________________
BUS BOYZ |
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BonTonRoulet
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2020
Posts: 477
Location: Mississippi
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 6:30 am Post subject: Re: Another "unable to close long spoon latch" thread |
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| thom wrote: |
I found a few other threads about people being unable to close their long spoon latches, but I didn't see any resolution.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=755254
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=507647
I'm currently having the issue with my bus; here's a crappy video (the GoPro couldn't focus that closely) https://i.imgur.com/q3idyta.mp4
And another that's better quality from a different angle. https://i.imgur.com/Bf10izh.mp4
I tried with both an original latch and a AAC reproduction (which is really nice, BTW). I did some basic measurements and they're virtually identical.
Yes, I have the spacer installed. I bought a pair of the WW spacers, which are a tiny bit thicker than original - it made no difference
Yes, I know there's fore-and-aft adjustment on the rear latches - there was no magical adjustment that let them close.
When installed on the other window openings, the symptom is exactly the same.
No, I didn't have the body-side seal installed yet
The kicker is, this bus had long spoons when I got it (except for the front passenger-side cargo door).
The popout frames are the originals to this bus.
The popout latch is original to this bus
On the cargo doors, the latch wants to drag across the door frame when closed.
What's the secret to getting these things installed? I don't have any good up-close pictures of the window latches from before I dismembered the bus.
For the time being, I'm using the 'medium' spoon latches.
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It wasn't designed to work without all the parts. It should operate correctly once the window frame contacts the seal in the window opening. Otherwise you are pulling the window too far into the opening and putting the action of the latch mechanism in a bind.
_________________
Never argue with an Idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. |
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pondoras box
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2004
Posts: 1696
Location: Eerie PA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 6:43 am Post subject: Re: Another "unable to close long spoon latch" thread |
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I hope I’m not high jacking this thread with this question but it might be relevant.
Is the spacing between the window mounting point and the body mounting point the same on long and short spoon latches? I’ve seen late buses with long spoon and wondered about that. Can you close them without problems.
_________________
Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.
1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda). https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563183
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1960 hardtop
1964 hardtop
1965 hardtop
Another 65 hardtop
1973 standard bug
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=804912
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion |
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Stocknazi
Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004
Posts: 5476
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 8:04 am Post subject: Re: Another "unable to close long spoon latch" thread |
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I would try it with the body window ledge seal installed. Without the seal, you are changing the geometry the latch is designed to operate within. The latch is trying to swing open, but the pop-out frame is pulling too far in, if that makes sense.
Did you try any of the other long spoons on that particular pop-out frame?
_________________
WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).
"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Thomas Jefferson |
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crofty
Judas of the North
Joined: August 09, 2000
Posts: 19844
Location: Land of Whine and Phonies
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| Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2025 11:32 am Post subject: Re: Another "unable to close long spoon latch" thread |
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I seem to remember messing around with the latch to frame screws on my Standard to get them to work right.
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Your Vanagon sucks, Stop waving at me.
| HamburgerBrad wrote: |
I slept on crofty's tent once. I passed out drunk from two bottles of Everett's brother's wine. |
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thom
Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2000
Posts: 6202
Location: Sacramento
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: Another "unable to close long spoon latch" thread |
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I spent some more time playing with it - with the seal installed - to no avail. I could find no point in the adjustment that would get it to work. The one thing I didn't try was doubling-up the spacers.
The 'medium' spoon latches work without any issues whatsoever.
_________________
-Thom
1956 Single Cab
1957 Porsche 356A Sunroof
1957 23-Window Deluxe
1957 Mercedes Westfalia single cab
1963 Unimog 404
1965 E-Type |
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