Hood frames and glass

From start to finish in production is there a difference in hood frames and the rear glass frame please. I have a rear window frame that needs repairs. What's the best way to extract the glass/rubber

This should tell you most of what you need.
Also I think there is a full guide on replacement there too..
Convertible Top

Plus i have seen something on YouTube from VW showing how to replace it.

Vic said

From start to finish in production is there a difference in hood frames and the rear glass frame please. I have a rear window frame that needs repairs. What's the best way to extract the glass/rubber

The early Cabriolets or Verts as they were called in 79-82 had a frame that sat higher then that later Cabriolets
as when it was opened it sat higher at the rear than the  newer 83-93 tops. Folks with the early frames complained that the rear view was little to none, and the Engineers at Karmann re-designed it to fold flatter.  I mean no one complained about the Beatle tops sitting higher when opened than when closed…..go figure.

There was also a design change on the head liners as a difference between the seams on the middle of the headliner.

The rear glass frame is a iffy thing, they can be removed from a good top, and you can buy a new frame Chortle on here has a source for them IIRC.  They are a steel frame with a plastic insert that is glued in to the frame. and can be repaired… But if yours is broken as the plastic insert it is probably easier to Call or Email Chortle.

I have a how to on removing the glass from the frame to remove the glass and seal, exposing the 180-250 Staples (yes I have counted them when I removed them from various tops I have changed over the years.).

A good Electric Stapler or Air Stapler works well and doesn't tire your hand out…I have a good old fashioned Swingline stapler that I have had for over 40 years it works well and seats the staples.  But if your stapler cant seat the staples then you have to use a steel block or large punch to reseat the staples to lay flat.  If I was replacing the frame, then I would also lay a thin coat of clear RTV (silly-Cone) over the staples to ensure now water  leaks.

Cabriolet Rear Window Replacement. | Volkswagen Owners Club Forum

The frame is held in place by 2 straps at the top
and 4 10mm bolts on the bottom corners.

To get the 10mm bolts out well use a 10mm socket.
To get the straps out at the top, spray the slots on the frame with WD-40 it eases them use a small screwdriver  from the inside of the frame to push out the straps I do a corner of it to get it to appear on the outside of the frame once you can see the plastic dowel, then you can gently pull on the strap to get it totally out, and then push the plastic dowel out.  Once it is out then you can pull the strapping out the rear of the frame.

Once you have the top straps out as well as the Staples, and the 4 10mm bolts off you can carefully remove the vinyl or canvas off the frame.

WIth the Frame out you will see the pivots that the bolts were screwed into.  Take the pivots and Spray them with oil and rock them back and forth till they are free of any binds.  Thes pivots cause your top to fold funny and pind when opening or closing.  The more free they move the happier your top will be.

Yes you can swap older frames for newer and newer for older.  But if you plan on doing that they weigh in about 150 lbs and is safer to have a second set of hands to take them on or off.  There are good how to's on how to swap frames, but if I was swapping frames I would be replacing all 3 layers, and a Frame that fits on one car, may be tweaked, and will not fit correctly on the car you are swapping it to is there was frame damage to the basic car, or that some one bent the hood frame when trying to close it or open it.
 

I have an 81 and Jan 84 car so I'll have a look at the differences. The frame is out, I think from a later car, and still has material attached but has rust hence my question about removing the glass. I just wanted to repair it and have a heads up on the frame. They do need hood replacements but I'm not going to attempt it as there is a man who can. Once the pandemic has sorted itself out a bit I will get them done.

You can do it yourself there are excellent tutorials and vids avail.  

But with the pandemic helping out the local guys is a good thing…  

There’s a few different frames inc side tension cable set ups and lengths inc fixing points.
Rear window frames are the same bar from the hinge set ups.
On early cars the hinges are bolted to the rear member by the rear cable channel and in later they were fitted to the rear parcel shelf supports.
Insofar getting the glass out have the glass facing you with the heater wire tab connectors towards you. Place a cloth on your foot if the frame is out the car grip the top of the metals frame and press the glass out.
The seal should press out.
The same if it’s in the car press from inside to outside.
Frame wise 79-81 only good for those years they don’t have the same system of tension bands and straps but use springs and wire cables.
Onwards the top frames vary in side tension cable lengths and attachment points.
Whilst top frames can be swapped over most from 1990 U.K. wise tended to be power tops.
Whilst it’s true you can swap a power top frame Onto an earlier car you so won’t  have the ability to lock the top in the down position.
The hydraulic rams do this job and the top frames can bounce up and down especially going over bumps.
So it’s a bigger job to if you’re going to do that as you’ll need inner body cuts, welding etc abs set up off a donor car.
Most rear window frames are rotted and an issue is getting hood tension on old hoods.
Hoods don’t come with the hole cut out for the glass and seal.
Once the hood is tensioned and stapled the excess is cut away.
On an old hood/top the material will usually have lost its stretch and can tear once pulled if that occurs it’s game over.



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