Luggage Rack Installation

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Stephen Dempsey
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Luggage Rack Installation

#1 Post by Stephen Dempsey »

I'm in the process of installing a luggage rack (Reutter, but I don't think that makes a difference) on my '64C coupe. The threaded holes for this purpose are in the perfect location under the left grill, but the two on the right side grill are not. The whole grill would need to move a slight amount to the right for the holes to be in the right position. Suggestions? Thanks.


Steve
Lake Ozark, MO

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Richard Zarbo
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#2 Post by Richard Zarbo »

Steve,
Let me add to your story. And I thought I was the only one with this problem. I have two Reutter racks, one restored and one original unrestored that both don't fit a 61 single roadster. Based on the fact that the same problem occurs with two racks, I assume the car is off.
Again, any suggestions?
61 D'Ieteren Roadster, 71 911, 95 993 Cabrio, 98 993 C2S, 21 Macan S

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Bruce Smith
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#3 Post by Bruce Smith »

Steve - I wound up holding mine down with just three bolts and not worrying about the forth. Would that work in your case?- Bruce
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Stephen Dempsey
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#4 Post by Stephen Dempsey »

Interesting. Seems to me a Leitz rack would have the same issue. Can the grill be adjusted at all? Why would the two sides be different?

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#5 Post by Mike Wilson »

I had the same problem with my Leitz rack. One of the mounting brackets was slightly bent. It was corrected during the restoration.
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Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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Cliff Hanson
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#6 Post by Cliff Hanson »

Mike Wilson wrote:I had the same problem with my Leitz rack. One of the mounting brackets was slightly bent. It was corrected during the restoration.
My Leitz rack fits fine on my 64C Karmann body.
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Stephen Dempsey
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#7 Post by Stephen Dempsey »

Quick update for anyone still reading this... fairly certain that the problem is with the lower right mounting point inside the engine lid. Looks to me like it is welded to the engine lid incorrectly. Not sure what to do about this, but pretty sure its the problem.

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Dave Wildrick
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#8 Post by Dave Wildrick »

Lietz rack, not Leitz--same letters, different order. :D
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Stephen Dempsey
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#9 Post by Stephen Dempsey »

Ok, I've concluded that installation of this Rack is impossible without either moving the mounting brackets welded to the engine lid, or radically bending at least two of the fins on the grill. I'm quite surprised that the mounting points are off as much as they are.
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Mike Wilson
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#10 Post by Mike Wilson »

Before I restored my car, I though about screwing a long bolt into the threaded hole to see if I could tweak it so it properly aligned. How far off is it on the decklid?
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Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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Stephen Dempsey
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#11 Post by Stephen Dempsey »

Mike - I haven't measured, but I would guess about .125 inches.

Steve

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#12 Post by Mike Wilson »

Maybe worth a shot trying to tweak it....
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John Brooks
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#13 Post by John Brooks »

You can tweek the one that is out of alignment from side to side. Fore and aft is harder. A squeeze clamp that has a reversing head that can spread, instead of clamp will work. You need to make a template or divider to match the rack bolt to watch the alignment. Then make a wooden brace to go between the good side mount and the inside of the deck lid skin, and a filler block for inside the good mount bracket. Tight slip fit on both, small thin wedges to tighten them.

The concept is brace the good mount against the deck skin. Then block the inside of the good bracket so it will not bend or move. All the force is passed into the skin of the deck lid through the wood blocks. The use a spreader clamp to slowly shift the bad mount bracket into alignment. Pressure at the top of the bracket. Slow pressure and measure often until it is aligned. A set of trammel points or large dividers set to the correct width will work also. The bad mount may become a trapezoid, and the nut will need to be squared to start the bolt after bending.

Don't use the nut to apply pressure to the bracket, the spot weld is for compression, not shear, and the weld will pop on the nut plate.

Go slow good luck, you can do this
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John Clarke
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#14 Post by John Clarke »

Hi Steven.
With an error of approximately 1/8" (.125") 'Simply' open up the holes in the luggage rack with a drill or a round file and use large cup washers under the heads of the bolts. Job done?
Cheers Jay
 

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Stephen Dempsey
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Re: Luggage Rack Installation

#15 Post by Stephen Dempsey »

Thanks John B & John C! Worth a shot!

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