Cabriolet roof not closing properly

Hi All, wanted to know if anybody on here has any ideas why my 1989 GTI cabriolet roof is not closing as it is suppose to. It goes up & down but when closing it it stops about 2- 3 inches away from where it suppose to lock into. I have got a vinyl roof on it at moment but don't know how long it has been on it. Do vinyl shrink over years? Check the hydraulic pump and it has got fluid in it which is in between Min - Max. Thanks for all info in advance.

Vinyl will shrink over the years, also when it is cold it stiffens and makes it appear even tighter, but alas when it is warmer it stretches.  

Are your eccentrics adjusted correctly, and then when it stops at the 2-3 inches is it fairly easy to close and latch?

I don't know if the eccentrics are adjusted properly, but it is very hard to close the roof down properly it as it is straining the latches, think the previous owner snapped the drivers side handle trying to close it. I will try to get some pictures on, but don't know how.

Fluid must be checked with roof in the down position first of all.

Eccentrics won’t do a deal they’re to stop the frame from mashing the tops of the B pillar seals.

Are you saying the car  has had new roof or old roof has shrunk yes they shrink  but not to where you couldn’t close roof.
I’m over in Derby East Midlands if you can get over I can have a look.




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Hi Chortle, the roof has been on it a very long time so it may have shrunk very much over time, but I don't know how long it has been on it. Like I said i will try to get pictures on and see if you can give a rough idea what it could be. The car is not road worth at moment so I cant travel to Derby.

Ok check the fluid whilst the roof is down and it is above the max line about 1 cm.

The pivot points on the frame need to be oiled every now and then, I use 3 in 1 drip oil on mine to make sure all the joints are free moving.

Should be a picture where to oil here and lots more info you might want to read…

Left hand side column is a tab, lubing the frame.
Convertible Top

Agreed they need oiling on the pivots and hinges.

Your fluid must be between the min and max lines on the reservoir with the roof in the down position.
Open the hex filler but 13mm and try and draw some fluid out so it’s at the correct level.



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There are some pictures the fluid bottle is with roof down

Can’t see photos mate


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.

I cant load them up for some reason. I attached them below but wont load up. Am i doing something wrong.

Are you on messenger or WhatsApp?


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You just used the add image button
Or install Tapatalk and add the MK1 Golf Owners Club.
It works better than the site for uploading stuff


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