top wont close

[mr pibbs]

Putting the basket case back in one peice - top wont close

Finally got everything all where it should be.
Oiled the pivot points
Disconnected struts to make sure they were not stuck

Top wont close - not even close. I can push it down, but it pops back up, and the gap between top and a pillar is too far for the j hooks. Top is also scewed right about a half inch.





Trying not to get discouraged.

[BerryB]

Mine does the same I just push my J hooks forward (right hand and pull down on the roof(left hand) when locking her down. Try even just sliding the handle forward a few mm by loosening the screws underneath and then tighten them back up while putting force in the direction needed. Hope my ****ty pictorial will help, mine does the same, but I have no problem "battening down the hatches"

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Had to do it all one handed(camera) but it takes some muscle to put my roof back up. I usually have to do it myself because my girlfriend isn't strong enough. Try just giving her **** and see what happens. My old boss used to say "if it doesn't work, smash it. If it still doesn't work; it wasn't worth keeping in the first place"

*edit*

added in a picture of my roof doing the same, I dont know about other cabbys i've never checked.

I usually pick up the roof latch handles at any chance I can. They break of like they're getting paid to.

[briano1234]

Roll the back windows down a couple of inches.

New Tops need to stretch in the sun a bit.
If you got the side cables too short that can happen too.

[mr pibbs]

Mine does the same I just push my J hooks forward (right hand and pull down on the roof(left hand) when locking her down. Try even just sliding the handle forward a few mm by loosening the screws underneath and then tighten them back up while putting force in the direction needed. Hope my ****ty pictorial will help, mine does the same, but I have no problem "battening down the hatches"

I see what you are thinking, but my top is not that far forward. When I pull it down it is still an inch or more short.

Roll the back windows down a couple of inches.
New Tops need to stretch in the sun a bit.
If you got the side cables too short that can happen too.

I have rolled the windows down.
It's not a new top, just hasn' been on the car in months. Many months.

I can't seem to locate the side cables. Would they be hiding somewhere?

[briano1234]

I see what you are thinking, but my top is not that far forward. When I pull it down it is still an inch or more short.




I have rolled the windows down.
It's not a new top, just hasn' been on the car in months. Many months.

I can't seem to locate the side cables. Would they be hiding somewhere?

Well that is a convertible specialties top, I can tell by the stitching.
The side cables run from the Teat, on the front frame, inside of the top, to the rear frame.




If you run your finger on the back side of the rear frame, between the headliner and the top you will feel the finger that holds the tensioning spring., that the cable is attached to.

You said, the top hasn't been on the car in "months?" then it has to re-stretch. Leave it in the direct sun light for a few hours, or in a closed garage with lights shining on the top. VW recommends putting the top up about every three days....

[mr pibbs]

You said, the top hasn't been on the car in "months?" then it has to re-stretch. Leave it in the direct sun light for a few hours, or in a closed garage with lights shining on the top. VW recommends putting the top up about every three days....

If I'm not mistaken it's an electrontop. I suppose your are right that this is an after-market replacement.

I will let it stretch and check the side cables. Thanks for the help.

[briano1234]

I had a experience with Convertible Specialties about 2 months ago, and for that reason that the side seam, which isn't heat sealed is just a singular stitch.

On the outside at the top it isn't an issue to me, but at the rear corner, where the seam gets to the interior, I know that eventually the stitches will pull through at that spot and tear the material, and or allow water seepage into the interior. The rear cable seam was pretty rough and didn't have a finished look like they rushed it. So what with the seam, and the single stitched was a big no-no, and why I returned the top. It was a month longer to get, don't know why, and inferior to me product wise.

I then ordered a topsonline, and they use ez-on, which is probably the cabrioworld type, and is flat seamed on the top, but the sides are embossed and heat sealed

[kamzcab86]

When you say "the top has been off", what do you mean by that? The vinyl has been off, or the entire frame has been off the car?

[mr pibbs]

When you say "the top has been off", what do you mean by that? The vinyl has been off, or the entire frame has been off the car?

Frame has been off the car for a long time. I'm not sure how long, but at least a year.