pot top hinge fix ideas

upnorthman · Post by **upnorthman** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:04 am

Hey all,
I am working on painting the top and replacing the canvass. One of my hinges is in trouble and I have a few ideas but I thought I would ask for some opinions. The plastic part of the hinge on one of the sides is falling apart and keeping the top from going up all the way. Also it is causing the aluminum track to bend slightly. I was looking at a replacement from bustedbus but I could save serious cash by doing a retrofit. I was thinking a bearing or something like that to fix it but I just don't know. I could bend the aluminum back and drill out the bushing but what to replace it with is just stumping me. Any thoughts?
Here is a link to a photo of said hinge.
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/287725.jpg

I did lube it and that helped but it is still just not working like it should.

karl · Post by **karl** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:44 am

You are better off replacing it with a straight one. You have already weakened it and it will now always want to bend there.

Birdibus · Post by **Birdibus** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:54 pm

I had to replace a hinge assembly, too. I had not yet found TS, so I was looking for used parts on ebay. Every time I found someone selling westy parts, I sent them an email asking about poptop hinges, and found a set reasonably quickly. I replaced both sides. My good hinge was then sold to someone on TS forums who made an inquiry.

So, keep looking. I paid around $30 or $40 plus shipping (heavy item) for the pair.

oops, this is a month old topic

TexasAirCooler · Post by **TexasAirCooler** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:49 pm

Is that a top that raises from the front?

upnorthman · Post by **upnorthman** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:27 pm

Yes it opens from the front.

I bought one from busted bus for a pretty penny but the nylon bushings are perfect. I am happy now and busted bus is going to take the old one as a core. I looked quite a bit but did not find one. I wish I would have looked more because I have to send the tent back to Cali as it is too big (about 2"). Now I have time to look! I am pretty happy with busted bus.

TexasAirCooler · Post by **TexasAirCooler** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:27 am

Okay, I have hinges for one the raises in the middle.

So your all set now the right?

upnorthman · Post by **upnorthman** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:35 am

Yup!

Just need a tent that fits. The top was painted with an acrylic enamel, it looks like new! I can't wait.

whc03grady · Post by **whc03grady** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 10:06 am

The newer style (1975?-79) are far superior in to the old ones you had. We had the very same problem:
http://ludwigcampervanbeethoven.blogspo ... video.html

Itinerant Air-Cooled

Itinerant Air-Cooled

pot top hinge fix ideas

pot top hinge fix ideas