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Mon Jan 08, 2007 11:15 pm

I bought an 82 rabbit in Sept. It is the 3rd vdub I have owned, and the first one that seems to be giving me trouble. My current prob is the vent windows. The person I bought it from slathered joint compound and silicone gel all over the windows to seal them tight. I cleaned them off, and then when I went to open the windows, the windows fell out. So I looked around for a solution. Apparantly these windows are notorious for falling out at inopportune times. And it seems that the only Solution I have found is that I can glue them back in.

What I want is to get them to work properly. If I can't do that, what other choices do I have?

Any help would be appreciated.

Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:40 am

Hi There, I have rebuild a number of golfs mark1s & when it comes to the 1/4 windows i have gone two different ways.
Which ever way you choose you will have to spend a few bucks.You can ,through vw parts system buy a fixed window glass & rubber that fits very neatly. They were fitted to the base models in europe, (recommended) or you can buy at great cost opening 1/4 vents that have the hinges & catch fitted into the glass..not glued on.
The opening ones are a little bit fiddly to get to pivot smoothly. But for the times you use the vent windows,(Which I agree gives beautiful ventilation in the car) I dont think the expense & fiddily fitting of the opening ones is justified. You could possibly visit your local friendly Vee Dub wrecking yard too! best of luck I would be interested in how you went. Up the Golfs! Baz

Wed Jan 10, 2007 5:50 pm

Head to a junkyard, find a cabriolet or vanagon, remove the bolt through vent windows and pay the folks the $20 or so.

It is a long afternoon type job to swap them out. remove the door panel, disconnect the window from the regulator and drop it to the bottom of the door. Next pull the rubber trim around the window opening and figure out how the existing vent window frame is held in (usually riveted but sometimes bolts. Rock the frame back and forth until you can work it out. Installation is the reverse except if you got the windows from a cabby you will need to cut off a mounting tab at the top.

That is how I do it. If you try to find the windows on ebay folks there are trying to rip you off. Like I said vanagon or cabriolet windows are a direct fit. you will have to use your existing seals though.