Cabriolet side tension cables

Has anyone ever made there own and do you know the lengh and width of the cable if you have a 1988 roof with the springs at the back?

I've seem to of broken 2 sets in about 4 years, both of them have gone rusty and broken near the front, the top one in the photo with the plastic sleve did the best and lasted 3 and a bit years and the bottom one only lasted 9 odd months, both seem to be a different width.


I brought both sets from ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Golf-Mk-1-Hood-Tension-Cable-Set-/181205331562?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a30adee6a
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Golf-MK1-Convertible-Tension-Cable-Set-/151232543351?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2336297a77

I was thinking about getting some stainless steel cable coated in nylon as its about £1 to £2 a meter and buy some fixings to make the loop so should be cheaper than buying another set and stainless should not go rusty.
http://www.tecni-cable.co.uk/Products/Nylon-Covered-Wire-Rope

Any thoughts or ideas?

I've just bought the cable and ferrules to make my own. About a fiver in parts.

I have the lengths on my pc at home. I bought 1.5mm galved steel cable with a pvc jacket although no reason not to go stainless.

Thanks for the reply, if you could let me know the lenghs that would be great and do you have the later hood with the springs at the back of the cable in the what would be C piller?

I think I've found the lengths does 94cm with the springs and 106cm if you don't have the springs sound right?

Close. I found this website :

Cabriolet DIY side tension cables | Volkswagen Owners Club Forum

And was going to base mine on their dimensions however need to work out the length of the brass strain relief.