Cabby Roof Issues

I have two problems with my roof:

I recently let a garage do some work on my car and one of the things that seems to have been forgotten is to attach the gas struts back to the car at the bottom. The first I knew of it, other than wondering why the roof had become so much heavier, was when one of the loose struts got tangled in the mechanism and the roof wouldn't open, it then tried to push its way through the inner lining…

They're on a hinged bracket and, assuming there was no good reason for them not putting them back in when finished, I wondered if anyone knows where I can get replacement bolts please?








Secondly, the drivers side of the roof seems to have moved backwards about 7mm. This leaves a gap between the rubber seal at the top of the windscreen and the one under the lip of the roof. When it rains, the water goes straight under and drips rather annoyingly onto the drivers seat bolster (or your knee if you're in it).

Has this happened to anyone else? Is there a way to adjust it? The seals seem fine, though i'm guessing it happened years ago as the previous owner had a bunch of silicone in the gap, which I'd like to avoid repeating if I can get it done right…



Finally, does anyone have any recommendations for a convertible roof specialist in East London, in case I can't find a DIY solution to these issues?

Thanks in advance,
Ed


(1984 A reg 18 GTi Cabby)

I'd go back to the garage and ask them  to put it right.
However you need 2 X M8 X 20 mm bolts (part number N 01024016)  and there should be 2 spring washers too (part number N 0120387) should be able to get these from the dealer.

Once you are bolted back together then look at any gaps at the front. There is some adjustments by undoing the chrome lock collar on the roof locking handles. You can wind the the hooks in to pull the roof in tighter.

Thank you Chortle, that's incredibly helpful.

I would take it back to the garage, but they've had it twice already and are far enough away that it's too expensive to take it back to them every time I find something else.

The hooks on the locking handles have been fully adjusted already, i was hoping that would help. Do you know if there is a way to shift the whole mechanism of the roof forwards?

I'd expect the garage to compensate you for the travel and costs especially as it's their fault.

Nope once the hooks are fully wound in then that's it.
I'd recheck the gaps after you've bolted it back together.

Looking at your picture it looks like the end of the roof is to low, bent around, squashing and pulling back the seal along the top of the windscreen.

Try loosening up the handle and see it the roof sits any higher.
be carful with over tightening the handle as you can break them.
Do you have any better pictures when it's not raining?

Did you fit a new seal along the windscreen?


More info and guides here.

Cabriolet "A" Pillar Door Seal | Volkswagen Owners Club Forum

Came from Briano1234 excellent guides.

More here.

View topic: My DIY list of things for a 90ish Cabriolet (digifant2) part 1 - The Mk1 Golf Owners Club

Or read the how to replace your roof guide on this site, look at the GUIDES tab.
 

To me it appears that the glass isn't correctly mating with the rubber seal.

The front gap can be set by adjusting your eccentrics. as a tighten top looks like:



Window engaging the seal.




Fully latched top that the eccentrics were out of adjustment..