| Author |
Message |
wholenole
Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2016
Posts: 6
Location: West Virginia
|
 Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2025 12:41 pm Post subject: Westfalia pop top bolts |
 |
|
Getting ready to refurbish my top. Notice that bolts are run through the corners of the top. The bolt heads are shaped to fit the corners flush. I am assuming that someone has had to bend these bolt heads to fit flush against the corners of the top. Any suggestions on replacing these bolts? Hammer them once mounted in place? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 52750
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2025 12:50 pm Post subject: Re: Westfalia pop top bolts |
|
|
It's a washer, not a "bolt", it'll have to be pre bent in a vise, hammering in place will drive it into the fiberglass. Try to use soft jaws and a plastic or leather hammer, steel on steel will damage the plating and cause rust, unless you use stainless steel.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wholenole
Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2016
Posts: 6
Location: West Virginia
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2025 12:58 pm Post subject: Re: Westfalia pop top bolts |
|
|
| Ok, washer must be rusted into the bold head as all all appears to be one piece at this point. Thanks for the input |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SGKent 
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 42444
Location: at the beach
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2025 1:34 pm Post subject: Re: Westfalia pop top bolts |
|
|
Just sharing a thought. Make sure that you can get to the bolt remnants if they snap before you try to remove them. It may be an easy replacement, or one that turns into a real pain to get any corroded remnant of a bolt out. At this point you can still tape them off, treat and paint.
_________________
"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
67rustavenger
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 11042
Location: Oregon
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2025 1:57 pm Post subject: Re: Westfalia pop top bolts |
|
|
| busdaddy wrote: |
| It's a washer, not a "bolt", it'll have to be pre bent in a vise, hammering in place will drive it into the fiberglass. Try to use soft jaws and a plastic or leather hammer, steel on steel will damage the plating and cause rust, unless you use stainless steel. |
Why not use Stainless Steel washers and fasteners?
That'll cut down on the need to use a rawhide hammer.
_________________
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!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin! 
Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
