Deck Lid Adjustment Issues

[bloodbath]

My left deck lid hinge broke off of my deck lid a few years ago and I recently got around to getting it fixed. I had a body shop weld a new hinge on that I ordered from Wolfsburgh West. Unfortunately, the right one had broken off and was rewelded on before I owned it. It is slightly bent and I think it is causing me to have alignment issues. I have tried adjusting the hinges all the way up and down. I've also tired adjusting the U-brackets forwards and back. No matter what I do I can't get the deck lid to raise up enough to not hit the bumper. I've read that you can use washers/shims to add some adjustment or bend the u-brackets. I just wanted to ask for some advice before I try to bend the brackets or hinges to see if anyone knew of anything else I could do. I have searched through the forum, but I can't seem to find anything similar to my situation.

[txoval]

From the pictures, it actually appears to be closing fairly evenly. The drivers side brackets needs to move towards the front of the car.

It's hard to describe in writing, but the 4 bolts (2 per side) on the diagonal portion of the bracket, which are slotted, are used to align the deck lid with the body (put them in the same plane)...they do nothing to close the gap. The gap is opened or closed by moving the brackets in or out

Is the issue about hitting the bumper? Adjust your bumper out...it looks like it is too close

[hitest]

Your right side bracket sags a little compared to the left- but I agree with txoval- your problem may be bumper bracket related. Have you replaced those lately with non-German ones? Does your blade bumper have all four of the proper reinforcement brackets?
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[bloodbath]

I have both the driver's and passenger side brackets adjusted fully toward the front of the car. The hinges are adjusted full up with no more room for adjustment either. I figured adjusting the u-brackets wouldn't help close the gap, but I wanted to give anything a try to see if it helped.

The car came with those bumpers and brackets, but I assume that the brackets are not German. The bumper does have the reinforcement brackets though. I have taken the bumper completely off and with the deck lid closed there is still a huge gap. I didn't know that you could adjust the bumper and I didn't notice any slots that would allow for adjustments.

[hitest]

Here's a comparison of OG brackets vs. cheaper aftermarkets:

I discovered this after asking myself why the PO of my '62 ragtop immediately began bashing his deck lid when his car came out of paint. He told me the body shop installed all the bumpers/brackets; boards; interior; headlights; etc. I spent months undoing all the aftermarket crap and returning near everything to OG on my car.
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[carcrazed]

I used aftermarket brackets on my '61 and had to drill new holes because I could not close my deck lid. Same problem. X2 on the bumper alignment
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1965 Herbie Replica. 1776cc dual Kads.
1961 Beetle 33,000 Original Miles

"Just When you think you are getting ahead, you're always wrong."

[txoval]

Take a pic of where it is at all full close...we can try to help from there.

If you have a wide gap...have to figure out how to move the brackets forward

[bloodbath]

I unbolted the left side of the bumper to be able to pull it out enough so I could shut the deck lid. Here's some views of it fully shut. The left side has about a 1/2 inch gap and the right side is a full inch.

[txoval]

Drivers side is real close. Unfortunately, like I said above, you have to move the brackets towards the front of the car to fix it.

You'll have to trim the bracket where it's hitting the rear firewall and possibly open up the slots more for more adjustment.

[57BLITZ]

[txoval]

Blitz, you're right, the passenger side bracket is bent way down, which would widen the gap

[57BLITZ]

ANYTHING with hinges . . . the pins MUST be inline!!
If the pins do not line up, do not be surprised when something (like yer hood) breaks!
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Jesucristo es mi Señor y Salvador!

[hitest]

[BotanyBandit]

You're looking at it all wrong... You just need a bigger carb because your car is now equipped with custom deck lid standoffs! 😂
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the best way to get the right answer on the Internet is not to ask a question, it's to post the wrong answer

[bloodbath]

The right hinge is pretty bent. I wonder if I could heat it up and straighten it up with a mallet.

[hitest]

I would go ahead and remove both so you can work on it next to one that's straight(er). You could also experiment with shims first- to see what you are really facing for the re-bend.

With it being a boxed-steel unit- I'd bet you have to reverse the force that created the bend in order to straighten it. Pounding in my amateur bodyman brain tells me it will simply rebend- but not necessarily the correct way. Or worse, it will but without the correct outcome.

Nobody here will accost you if you simply find a good replacement for that thing. (The hinge bracket- not the whole car)..
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[bloodbath]

I may try shims first. I'm reluctant to cut the hinges off and start over. Where would be the best place to put the shims?

[57BLITZ]

[hitest]

[vdubnut58]

This is a common issue, The hinge bracket (the part that's bolted to the back of the car) needs to be bent upward. Just unbolt your deck lid and use a large crescent wrench slid down over the deck lid bolt hole to gently bend the brackets upward. Once your deck lid fits the body correctly then move on to the bumper brackets. Don't forget the factory bumper spacers that are often missing.
This is how it should look when properly aligned.