Roof frame, bad repair and leaks

Hi guys,

As per a long winded conversation with Chortle, I have decided to post my problem here as per his advice 

Recently my roof gave in and started pouring in water from above the windscreen. The tension cable has popped out of the back and one side of my roof is saggier than droopy's jowels.

After a lot of advice in how to see what's what or determine the issue it seems the problem may be with the terrible repair that has come to light - badly welded, badly filled, cracked, incorrectly fitted roof and possibly a powered frame on my car which is wrong.

The awful repair was carried out by Burnham Coachworks in Berkshire. I have been left with missing metal and so much stress, that I actually haven't been able to face them again without just breaking into tears.
My car is ruined.

I require a panel cut from a donor car to replace the horror I'm left with and a possible new frame. 

I'd like to add I'm not a hugely strong or large woman and lifting the roof up and down takes my entire bodyweight oxx
8 stone. I'm also not a mechanic and I struggle to understand terminology or mechanical techniques because I've never been a mechanic.

If there's anyone who knows of any possible avenues/breaking cabby/ decent bodyshop in Berks/advice on approaching the garage as I dont want them to touch my car but obviously am going to be extremely out of pocket.

I've tried added some photos, which I've tried to upload about 17 times (lol). As you will see my shoddy welded channel is too short. Theres no c pillar support, it's all in the wrong place. And that random little arm we suspect is for a powered roof system.

 Thank you anyone xx
Kirsty

Kirsty really sorry to hear this story, I understand you must be gutted!  

Did you have the work carried out by 'Burnham' or did a previous owner?
I ask because if you had the work done then you have the right to kick them straight in the soft bits where it's really going to hurt!  

If that's the case, then maybe we can find a kind hearted Club Member near you to go with you to them to get this sorted out.
Hopefully someone with size 14 boots and steel toe caps!  

Mike

Hi Mike,

Yeah I took it down there last March because after looking about a bit some old friends had work done there before and they had no bad words to say about it and it was a 5 minute walk from my house. It was a too good to be true affair.

I wouldn't even know where I stand on taking it back, I paid in cash and have no paperwork for the repair. Maybe I do need someone to go with me. 
God even thinking about that is making me massively anxious! Lol.

I've read all the cabby guides and threads for repairing roofs/installing roofs/checking seals but obviously none of that's going to be helping me if my roof foundations are completed shunted. 

Thank you
Kirsty

Time for a little 'BUMP' for this post I think!  

Come on guys, anyone living or working in Berkshire that could help a young damsel in distress?  

Cup of tea and a biscuit in it for you!  

Thanks Mike.

I do make a good cup of tea.
X

Trizcatt02 said

Thanks Mike.

I do make a good cup of tea.
X

Kirsty I can't help with this as I'm in Vienna, Austria but I have just 'pinned' your topic for the next 7 days to keep it near the top.

Hopefully someone kind soul will come to your rescue!   

Sent from my mobile phone. 

No a good story

I'm really struggling to see what's what from the pic so can't assist to much

I would suggest taking to a reputable mk1 person and the closest I can think of is crazyquiffs

That little rod, is for the rear frame strut.  You are missing the pivot that it connects to.

Your "pig tail" or "C-pillar" seal is dean and Vwheritage has replacements, but they are 50bucks US.

Rear Cable area, and the pivot for the strut.


From your picture it appears there was shoddy work done on the Body, Some one cut out the cable run.

side pivot from the top.


Sorry that I don't have a clear picture of the cable tray where it feeds in, but as I have a top that I am replacing in the near future I will get a snap or 2 of it…

Thanks Briano.
I definitely dont have those extra bits. What's a pivot arm? Is that for an electric powered roof?

Yes, my cable channel is cut far too short for sure, it's been half replaced with a shaft of badly welded metal so in all likelihood the entire thing needs replacing… But can't tell until the roof is off.

While electric, or actually Hydraulic roofs were available for the Cabriolet's they aren't that common.  The Pivots or lower Strut mounts, hold the Strut that is attached to the rear frame member and the lower pivot.  The are Gas Filled Cartridges that assist you in one person top closings.

http://www.cabby-info.com/Files/TopStruts.pdf

Is a good place to start, the lower pivots are different between the left and right sides of the car.

The part number for them are:
    155871838B right
    155871837B left
The above link has the part numbers for struts and various pieces that are used.

If you know of a good wrecking yard, that is a very good place to start for getting the Metal bits, and pivots that you need.  Chortle, may be able to assist you there….

I don't have a powered system in my car, do I need that stuff still? 

Oh crikey, now I'm even more confused. So those strut things are meant to be there regardless. I definitely don't have them. 

Trizcatt02 said

I don't have a powered system in my car, do I need that stuff still? 

Well, The Strut Cartridges assist in the opening and closing of the Frame assembly by a single person.  I am 1.82 meters tall and 16 1/2 stone.

If I take the Struts loose (which I have on occasion), and I have the top latched closed or down, I have a dickens of a time trying to raise the roof by myself.

The Struts keep the top from pinching fingers or other parts on closing, and assist you by easing the lifting of a opened top to a closed and latched top.

My 1.6 meter  8.3 stone daughter can open and close the top with ease, with the struts on.

Are they needed? I think so, but you may not think so.  When I have replaced them on tops that I am installing, the owners usually are surprised that it opens and closes as easily as it does.  Also oiling the Pivots go a heck of a long way.

When the struts die, I find that you usually have to struggle with one side or the other to raise it off the latch.

Haha well that could explain a lot! 

I have this theory that my neighbours secretly laugh at me whilst I'm putting the roof up and down because of how much of a struggle it is! Hahaha  

Righty well roll on payday..  Looks like I've got my work cut out to make this right!

Kirsty, did you ever get this sorted? I know a great bodywork chap in Three Mile Cross.

Hi Guy!

No not yet, I did damage control as much as possible but was completely fundless. I've got the body part donor I need it's just a losing battle trying to find time/money I can be without the car as it's my daily!

Where's three mile cross?

X

Trizcatt02 said

Hi Guy!

No not yet, I did damage control as much as possible but was completely fundless. I've got the body part donor I need it's just a losing battle trying to find time/money I can be without the car as it's my daily!

Where's three mile cross?

X

http://www.haresofberkshire.co.uk

Just south of Reading, you should have a chat with Greg, I've seen him do some amazing work on cars, in fact I now live in Exeter and havent found anyone of his quality down here.

He's used to working on old vw's and will do a great job for you. Tell him Guy sent you 😃

Haha looks like I'll be quote shopping these coming weeks then. I'll certainly pop down there, is that the business name?

Trizcatt02 said

Haha looks like I'll be quote shopping these coming weeks then. I'll certainly pop down there, is that the business name?

Yep, hares of Berkshire, if you google it you'll find the website too I think he's on fazzy b too.

I'd give him a call before you pop down, he'll be able to tell you where his workshop is then  

Don't go by price alone, I'd much rather pay a bit more and get the job done right, buy cheap, buy twice!!

I know, but I'm absolutely skint. I don't make a huge amount of money, last time I paid a lot in comparison to what I was second quoted at bodytone and I've ended up with an absolute nightmare to deal with.
If I knew how to do it myself I would haha I don't even trust nail technicians to do my nails right lol!!