[Stingy1#####]

I have a great new roof and frame , barely a mark and I have redyed it off the car. Like new for 200 all in. Only issue is tensioner cord plastic flat piece broke, can use one off my old top. This job appears easy , swap front lock motors , new one didn't come with them, ones on old top are fine. Do the rams just pull off the ball joint, unbolt six bolts and the rear hood from curved fixture, and lift roof off? After disconnect window wires etc. Anyone done this alone? I don't mind damaging old one if can get it clear and chuck it one side. It's getting new one in , do I need someone to support each side in turn to get bolts aligned or has anyone managed on their own

 

[billymade]

In the past, members; have said, they did a convertible top roof replacements but usually, didn't go into specific details or write up a step by step "diy" page about the process. In most discussions, the owners; were replacing the actual top "material" and not the whole structural convertible assembly itself!

I would invest in the VW eRWin service manuals; download them and that would provide, the best service info, on how to do the replacement, from Volkswagen AG. The eRWin service manuals, are those used by the factory trained techs at your local VW dealerships.

Volkswagen AG erWin Online

Here in the USA; the USA VW eRWin subscription service; can be purchased for 24 hours of used for $35 USD and you can download as many manuals and associated files as you like, I believe, from any car you would desire.

This seems to be the best "bang for your buck"; however, keep in mind, these manuals are geared towards a trained VW technician and so, there is minimal "hand holding" and they cut through the fluff and give you the info you need without attempts, to offer extended explanation of things. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; I find them, to be excellent and seeing how, they come from VW, they are probably the definitive service info you can find anywhere.

Bentley Publishers, on Youtube and their website; also, has some videos they put online; that are hosted by VW training personnel, that were originally made to train VW techs at dealerships, on how to do certain procedures on VWs and they have some on the convertible top repair and replacements of the top itself.

Video - VW Technical Service Training - New Beetle Convertible (bentleypublishers.com)

So, I would say; arm yourself with the eRWin VW service manuals and watch any videos you can find and go from there. Unfortunately, we do not have; a step by step guide for you. Let us know, how things go and if you could share your experience, it would help out the next person, who might need to replace theirs and try doing it in the future. Thanks!

 

[Stingy1#####]

I should be okay. Only enemy is the weight. But nothing has beat me yet on this car, including rear window cable failure, Aircon compressor, alternator , relays, wishbone replacement, disks, etc etc , wiring breaks where they flex , and the list goes on

 

[billymade]

Keep us updated, as you make progress and any info, you can share, will help the person attempting a similar top swap, thanks!

 

[Stingy1#####]

I managed it today. What a faff! Disconnect heated rear window cables. While roof closed pull away headlining from rear window and remove ten or twelve torx head bolts from the curved bracket holding roof assy to rear , and one 10mm nut. Lower roof , remove rear side trim panels , seat etc , hydraulic rams each side prise off the ball joint carefully , don't lose the spring retainer. Three torx head bolts each side hold the roof on behind rear trim panels. Once these removed you can lift whole assy off. Takes two people really to lift but I managed alone . Refit is reverse of removed. Then try refit headlining around rear window.....you won't. I have fitted z shaped spring clips . Only problem now I have is the tensioner cords. Both sides broke. Will get new one each side but no idea how to route them. Attempted to repair old ones but no good and routed wrong. Very sensitive switch on front screen surround for top closed signal. Alarm was going off driving and flaps stayed up. Slackened right hand hook and retightened and now making contact with switch. Not doing this job ever again. Over complicated , over engineered these cars are. I compare them to a Clown car , such hassle and complicated. But learnt so much from owning one.

 

[Stingy1#####]

I will add I knew tension cords had gone when I bought roof. But now have a decent roof without holes. I'm have no idea of the tension cable route though when the cables arrive

 

[Thejarhead]

Over complicated , over engineered these cars are. I compare them to a Clown car , such hassle and complicated. But learnt so much from owning one.

 

[billymade]

Good work, glad; you got the swap done! Most leave this to a pro convertible specialist; bravo, to you for going for it!

For thr broken parts; check with your vw dealer parts dept or a convertible top specialist for repair advice or estimate. Getting the eRWin manuals might help and for looking up parts diagrams, the online ETKA might help?

Volkswagen Parts catalog - ETKA Online, Volkswagen EUROPA, original Catalog Volkswagen EUROPA

Parts catalog Volkswagen - ETKA Search Parts by original number Volkswagen, market EUROPA

volkswagen.7zap.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Giddo Beetle]

In the past, members; have said, they did a convertible top roof replacements but usually, didn't go into specific details or write up a step by step "diy" page about the process. In most discussions, the owners; were replacing the actual top "material" and not the whole structural convertible assembly itself!

I would invest in the VW eRWin service manuals; download them and that would provide, the best service info, on how to do the replacement, from Volkswagen AG. The eRWin service manuals, are those used by the factory trained techs at your local VW dealerships.

Volkswagen AG erWin Online

Here in the USA; the USA VW eRWin subscription service; can be purchased for 24 hours of used for $35 USD and you can download as many manuals and associated files as you like, I believe, from any car you would desire.

This seems to be the best "bang for your buck"; however, keep in mind, these manuals are geared towards a trained VW technician and so, there is minimal "hand holding" and they cut through the fluff and give you the info you need without attempts, to offer extended explanation of things. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; I find them, to be excellent and seeing how, they come from VW, they are probably the definitive service info you can find anywhere.

Bentley Publishers, on Youtube and their website; also, has some videos they put online; that are hosted by VW training personnel, that were originally made to train VW techs at dealerships, on how to do certain procedures on VWs and they have some on the convertible top repair and replacements of the top itself.

Video - VW Technical Service Training - New Beetle Convertible (bentleypublishers.com)

So, I would say; arm yourself with the eRWin VW service manuals and watch any videos you can find and go from there. Unfortunately, we do not have; a step by step guide for you. Let us know, how things go and if you could share your experience, it would help out the next person, who might need to replace theirs and try doing it in the future. Thanks!

there is a youtube video ..not sure the detail but they were very helpful