I'll check that out.  I've got the front up on jack stands right now.  I'll
take the spare out and just "jack" the center of the pan a bit and see what
happens. I just bought the van a couple months ago from a repair shop that
took it in lieu of debt, so no history available.

-----Original Message-----
From: Karl Wolz [mailto:wolzphoto@q.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 4:15 PM
To: 'Stuart MacMillan'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: Spare tire doesn't latch

Shortest distance between two points is a straight line.  Most likely, the
clamshell is bent, so doesn't reach all the way from hinge to latch.  If it
worked before, and hasn't been deliberately modified, you should be able to
straighten it and make it work again.

Karl Wolz

|-----Original Message-----
|From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]
|On Behalf Of Stuart MacMillan
|Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2012 5:43 PM
|To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
|Subject: Spare tire doesn't latch
|
|Hi folks,
|
|
|
|The hook only catches they pan by 1/8", and that's not enough to hold
|it while the bolt is inserted.  Any ideas on a quick fix?
|
|
|
|All I can think of is welding an extension on to the hook or the pan.
|Am I missing an easier solution?
|
|
|
|Thanks,
|
|
|
|Stuart
|
|'85 Westy, top removed today for painting and new canvas!
|-----
|No virus found in this message.
|Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
|Version: 2012.0.2171 / Virus Database: 2437/5112 - Release
|Date: 07/05/12