Cabby Roof Lifting Off when driving......!!!!!!!!!!

   Scary….……..On the motorway at the weekend my roof lifted off the catches when I went over a bridge joint. needless to say it scared me. Luckily my wife managed to hold it down whilst I got on the hard shoulder……….

Looking for a solution. Biggest problem seems to be the wear on the edges of the cups that the fingers from the locking handles should slide into. The fingers are either sitting on the top of the worn edge or sliding in front of the cup so there is not enough tension is in the handle causing them to drop down when I hit a bump.

Has anyone suffered the same problem?

Did replacement roof catch knuckles solve it or did other mods sort it out?


Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated so I can drive with confidence with the top in place.

ta 

Have you got a picture you can post up of the catches?

The passengers side catch should be a lockable handle to stop anyone pulling it down by mistake.

The usual problem is that they get over adjusted and too tight and the cast alloy handles snap….. they are not just under adjusted and loose are they??? (the J shaped hook on the handle is adjustable) 

mark1gls said

The passengers side catch should be a lockable handle to stop anyone pulling it down by mistake.

Is only one side supposed to be lockable? I thought I had a catch missing.

Yes only passenger side has a little tab you have to press to release the handle, hopefully the driver is holding the steering wheel and not grabbing the roof handle when driving.  

Most replacement new handles come with the locking tab so if the handles have been changed you can have 2 locking tabs.

I've a manual roof and I guess it's the same for an electric roof?

I've got one on the passenger side which makes sense with LHD.

The latching or locking latch is on the passenger side.
Thing of it being a "Oh Jesus" handle that a passenger may grab in a exciting 60mph hair pin turn to keep from being beat in the seat and they accidently open the hood…….. then there is a "Oh Jesus" moment……

RHD on the Left, LHS on the right, but you can place them on either side as the handles fit either side.

Now if your J-hook isn't a "J" as more of a Straight, then it probably needs replacing.  

If the latch isn't locking closed it could be an adjustment
or a broken catch, or handle.

If the top isn't closing correctly as the leading edge of the top isn't flat on the seal then air can get under it and cause it to flutter, and well possibly open up.

Pictures of the Latches, and the receivers help us to diagnose your issue.

Here is what a latched but no locked condition is.


Receiver cup


Flat top sealed and latched.


Curled front edge and latched J-hook


Bent and distorted set of latch receivers.


Also if your eccentrics are not adjusted correctly then the top will not correctly seal on the "a" pillar.

yes 1 latching on passenger side, if the cups are worn, you can buy new, im not sure if mark carter at classic-vw.co.uk

 155871385B 155871386B

https://parts.vw.com/a/Volkswagen__/51544717__6389282/CONVERTIBLESOFT-TOP-COVER--COMPONENTS/924110.html

you can make adjustments by loosening the j hook or tightening it.. or changing hooks from left to right , as they may sit better other side, when adjusting try ensure equal amounts each side

Oops, I meant the one without was on the passenger side    Need to warn passengers then.

Do the hydraulics provide any resistance if it were to happen?

the_whip said

Oops, I meant the one without was on the passenger side    Need to warn passengers then.

Do the hydraulics provide any resistance if it were to happen?

Or just switch them over.
how to do that?
Cabriolet Top Latch removal | Volkswagen Owners Club Forum

Perfect. Thanks.

…….its sorted………..

A new set of knuckles with less wear on them, a good oiling of the roof mechanism hinges/joints and adjustment of the J hook means it all seats in nicely now.

Thanks for the posts