Cabriolet Vinyl roof problem

Dear fello mk1 Golf Owners,

I have just bought a second hand Vynil roof and mechanism for my Mk1 golf Cabrio 1980, and it does not fit. It falls short around 2-3 inches. Is there a difference in size vynil hoods from earlier to later model mk1 golf cabrios. is that why it doesnt fit?

PLEASE someone answer me???



or can someone please tell me if the American golf mk1 rabbit cabriolet has a different mechanism and size to earlier British mk1 golf cabrio's have i bought a second hand American cabriolet mechanism and vinyl hood for my uk car.?? this is doing my head in…

it now has the original mechanism in place when i bought the car and now i want to put just the vinyl hood on for temporary measures until i fork out enough money for a new one so now i have a vinyl hood that falls short because its from this second hand mechanism that does not fit my car.

Hi,

VW made three changes to the frames.

You ideally need a year like frame so as the 1980 is an early one you need from 79-81.

Yours sits higher out of the car body when folded down and has a bigger tonneau cover.

What year is the frame you have put on?

Vynil tends to shrink, so that would also cause a closing issue, but try disconnect the rams, from the frame as these can seize and make sure you oil all the hinge points properly. Check the side tensioning cables are are and not snagging on any of the frame.

The vynils lose the elasticity over the years as the plasticisers breakdown from UV degradation.

There should be no difference from which country the frame was from as all the Cabbies were made by Karmann at the Osnabruck factory, inc those for the USA markets.

chortle said

Hi,

VW made three changes to the frames.

You ideally need a year like frame so as the 1980 is an early one you need from 79-81.

Yours sits higher out of the car body when folded down and has a bigger tonneau cover.

What year is the frame you have put on?

Vynil tends to shrink, so that would also cause a closing issue, but try disconnect the rams, from the frame as these can seize and make sure you oil all the hinge points properly. Check the side tensioning cables are are and not snagging on any of the frame.

The vynils lose the elasticity over the years as the plasticisers breakdown from UV degradation.

There should be no difference from which country the frame was from as all the Cabbies were made by Karmann at the Osnabruck factory, inc those for the USA markets.

Dear Chortle
Thanks for the reply, great ilustrations!!  I have now put back on the original frame 79-81 and now it fits fine and i can now nicely lock the frame all i need now is the vinyl hood cover.
What are the Rams?
Also what part of the frame work are the side tentioning cables. and whats is ment by snagging?
Becoming a member now gives me 15% discount from hoods direct how do i claim that discount when i go to there website? They have a code that i can enter to get the discount i think.
Where do i get this code from?
Sorry for being a newbie…really appreciate your help..
Thanks again Edward

Firstly,
We'll done on being a paid member.
The rams allow the hood to be opened and closed easier.
They look like tail gate struts.
These are gas filled and can get stuck, stopping the hood from closing fully. These connect from the hinge brackets either side to the hood frame.
 The side tensioning cables run from the front of the frame through sleeves in the sides of the hood and connect at the rear frame sections, they pull the hood in tight around the edgess by the side windows, these can get snagged or caught in the mechanism if they snap.
Oiling the frame hinge points where it folds should really help.



I am not sure on how the discount works it maybe that you give them your membership number on purchasing.

You can fit the hood yourself if your confident enough too.
Cheers

Chortle

Was this thread for real? Or is it actually comedy gold? I can't decide

Yes it’s a real Topic.



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I wasnt aware of any "size" difference on the hoods? 

aside from being to small that replacement hood looks worse than most that get thrown away  lol