05 Preparing to remove frame

I took out all the bows. I had too drill out the pop-rivets in the last bow (the one with all the glue on it) to remove it.
That bow doesn’t slide out of the rails as it’s bracket is hooked into the second channel, where also the cable goes through. And this bow is attached differently to the gliders. It uses a copper-colored rivet which holds it looseley to the glider. I think it has to be like that to allow for variations in the roof opening.
I don’t know why this bow uses a different glider, hooked into the cable channel. Maybe it’s because of the rear window? To hold it more firmly into place.
I marked the bows 1 to 4, so I can replace them in the same position.

I’ve also removed the brackets that hold the frame to the roof. I did mark them with a white paint pen, to save the original setting. I also marked the brackets with painters tape, so I can place them back at the same location.

For removing the brackets it’s easier when the foam strip on the underside of the rail is removed. This strip sits between the side covers and the rail.
It’s white and looks very dirty because of the grease from the rails. I intend to replace the foam strip with a black version.
Removing was not a pleasant job, in some places it could be pulled of easily, and in some places I had to use a knife. I still have to cleanup the rails from the glue residu.

While removing te brackets I noticed that the screws that hold the rail to the frame also have to come out, otherwise they will catch behind the roof.
Which will prevent the frame from coming off.
I removed each screw and replaced it with a tie-warp to hold the rails to the frame.

I also disconnected the motor and removed the blue tubes.

One thing has got me puzzled: on the rear the frame is screwed on with one screw in the middle. But because of the angle of the ragtop, and the sides are tucked in, I cannot get a screwdriver onto that screw. I could not unscrew it.
Because I have to replace the roof anyway I cut a small hole into the roof and unscrewed it from the outside (see pictures).

But, now I wonder, how did they get that screw in??
And how am I going to get that screw back in when the new roof is on?

Maybe I replace the flat-head screw with a hex head screw, which should make it easier to get the screw back in. But still, the screw is pretty long, which can still make it difficult.
Maybe this is only a problem with an old stiff ragtop, maybe a new one flexes enough to allow for a screwdriver on it….

Next job: get the frame of….

6 Comments

  1. Dear Gerrelt, I just bought a VW 16.I open air open a air as yours and it is fantastic shape.

    The former owner changed the roof and got it from Deco Haus, but I do not know why he thought he had a motor problem so he disabled the system and now only works manually

    When I am checking the system, the electrical it is prepared and the motor of the roof it is working, but when I look on the sides on the metal tracks he has cut the smaller cable (that´s easy to replace looking to your photos but most important he has cutted the wire that goes inside the track that makes the front plate move. Crazy but he did.

    So I have two questions if you could help me:
    1) Understand how the system works with this track wire. Does it move with the plate from forward to back and the track gets hidden in the bout ute?.or does still fixed and the plate moves from forward to back?
    2) I do have the plaster that go to the top of the roof, Do you know where I could gate this plates?, Do you have any specification regarding this track?.
    Thank you very much, your photos are fantastic and I am trying to figure out how to solve it. Thanks

  2. THanks for the reply and sorry for my miss writing (mobile).

    So the plate it is moved back and forward by the spiral looking wire. I understand that when the roof it is open the spiral excess it is stored on the blue plastic tube so therefoire there is not spiral looking wire on the track, Correct?, and went the roof is close it is because the plate is moved forward by the spiral looking cable so it will be on the track from te back to the front, Correct?

    I was asking if you could know where to buy the spiral looking cable, tI have measured and al least 2,4m it is needed and that´s a lot when you compare with other spare kits. The only one that I found longer than 2,4 (2,43) iis this one that I do not know if it will fit due to wide measures that are unknown.

    https://www.brossautoparts.net/bsr566-sunroof-repair-cable-clamp-a1267801789-for-mercedes-s-class-w126-1979-1992?search=Bsr566

    Thanks for your support and for your photos

  3. THanks for the reply and sorry for my miss writing (mobile).

    So the plate it is moved back and forward by the spiral looking wire. I understand that when the roof it is open the spiral excess it is stored on the blue plastic tube so therefoire there is not spiral looking wire on the track, Correct?, and went the roof is close it is because the plate is moved forward by the spiral looking cable so it will be on the track from te back to the front, Correct?

    I was asking if you could know where to buy the spiral looking cable, tI have measured and al least 2,4m it is needed and that´s a lot when you compare with other spare kits. The only one that I found longer than 2,4 (2,43) iis this one that I do not know if it will fit due to wide measures that are unknown.

    https://www.brossautoparts.net/bsr566-sunroof-repair-cable-clamp-a1267801789-for-mercedes-s-class-w126-1979-1992?search=Bsr566

    Thanks

    • You are correct.

      I never removed the spiral cable, I’ve left it in place with the frame rails.
      It’s a bit hard to measure the thickness of the cable, because I would have to remove a panel and the blue tubes.
      But if you really want to know I can do it for you. I only have to find some time.
      I don’t know where to get this wire, I don’t think decohaus sells them, but you could ask. Maybe he has some second hand cables.
      And I don’t know how the cable is attached to the front mounting plate.

      How hard is it to open manually? I always wondered. With the electric motor I still have to help it a bit to open up entirely when it gets to the rear window. It’s because the rear window is not as flexible as the fabric.

      If it opens nicely manually, I would’t put the effort in it to make it electric again.

      • Thanks, I asked DecoHaus but they do not sell it.

        It is not difficult to open manually, they is tu pull back even from both sides if not it will get out from the track

        I do understand he manual help you described, it is the difficult part.

        To do it electrically it is not because it is difficult by hand, it is also because when it is closed, only the central closure assures the roof, if you do electrically the plates also work from the sides so it is a better closing (It is tighter and safer). If I will no be able to make it electrically most probably I will put one additional clause at each side

        Thanks

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