Pearl - The 63 Beetle

[Tony Z]

What is it with Beetles and main seal leaks?


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they need to be pressed in, not hit in with a hammer and block of wood.
They need to be pressed in all the way, not flush with the case.
The seal and flywheel (where seal runs) needs to be greased before you put the two together.

Most people miss all 3 of the above.
And then you have the fact that the seals you get today in 99% of the gasket kits are just plain crap - I throw them away

[Herbie]

OK...there is no such thing as a 30m job on a Beetle. I went into the garage Saturday morning to "quickly" change out the old crusty door rubbers with fresh new ones...It took me the best part of the morning to do just the driver side one...and a few minutes less to do the other one. Good results though.

[73type2]

Well done! For me, working on the doors - rubber, vent windows, scrapers, are the worst jobs on a Beetle.

[Riaan.N]

Good job!

I still need to do mine...the rubbers has been lying in the garage for...well longer than what I want to admit

What glue did you use...genkem or something similar?

[Herbie]

I did not use any glue. So far so good...they stay in place.


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[73type2]

A light coating of Genkem is fine. This is especially needed if you're using aftermarket rubbers. They never fit like the originals.

[Riaan.N]

Ok , I will do it without glue first

[Herbie]

I bought a set of white mudflaps from Wazeer Karjieker many moons ago but dreaded fitting it as the nut inside the body for one of the four bolts holding the two bumper brackets came loose on its welding.

I had to drill a hole below the position of the nut and weld it back to the body. Since the boot was rusted in place I managed to break the welds off a few times and after several attempts managed to successfully remove the stuck bolt, tap open the holes and weld the hole back up.

Both brackets with the mudflaps are now fitted and it looks super awesome!

[Herbie]

[Tony Z]

The mud flaps suite the car - nice job

[Herbie]

Thanks Tony!