About parts of Ragtop

[YuichiroM]

Hello.
I have a couple of questions.

I have a December 1954 DX.
I am thinking of repairing my Ragtop.
Since 1990 I have not replaced any parts on my Ragtop.

I have removed the parts but they are slightly different from the parts list.
This part, my Ragtop consists of three parts.

In the 1954 parts list this part consists of two parts.

In the 1956 parts list it consists of three parts.

I am looking at the Grumpy website.
This is the same as the Grumpy parts configuration.
(Q1) Are my parts post-1956?


(Q2) Is this SEX BOLT original?

Post-1956? Or are the Barn and post-1956 the same?
There is a bolt that is rusted and cannot be removed.
If original, I will try to remove it somehow without breaking it.


(Q3) Screws and washers for outer canvas.

The screw is a Phillips screw. This is probably not original.
The washers are different in design from common washers.
(The design is also different from Grumpy washers)
Do you think this is original?


My Ragtop does not have this strap.

(Q4) What is the function of this strap?
Does each Bow move straight back and forth?
Or does the outer canvas extend outwards?

[YuichiroM]

P.S...
In the picture of the parts list, the parts are represented as two parts.
The specifics of the list show ‘Anti-rattle packing’ and ‘Anti-rattle ring’.
The Barn era might also be correct with three parts.

(Four parts if the ring is treated as a separate part)

[RockStock]

Q1) I would say they are correct for your bus, but it’s interesting to see part #34 appears to have been added (to the diagram) by 56. I think it was there pre56 too.

[YuichiroM]

RockStock san. thanks.

(1) #34 is “875365” in the 1954 listing, right?
Does that mean it existed as a part but was not written on the diagram?
I need to get the details right!” Has the VW company changed its mind?

(2) Two of the 12 sets were replaced with bolt nuts by the previous owner.
I was thinking of breaking the sleeve nuts that cannot be removed and replacing them with bolt nuts.
But if they are original, I will do my best to remove them.
There exists a spray that can cool it to minus 30 degrees Celsius.
They say it shrinks the screws and creates a gap to remove them.
I will try with this.

(3) I removed 3 sets on one side and took pictures.
There are 6 sets in total.
Are the original screws DIN88?
I bought 25 “DIN88 M4x20” for the pop-out window.
I still have 19 screws left.

Maybe I should cut these lengths down and use them shorter...
I fitted “DIN88 M4” to the washers on my Ragtop.

It looks good from right above,
But from the side, it looks a little bit floaty...

(4) My Ragtop does not have this tension strap.
When I open the Ragtop, each BOW comes off the rail and the tension hoop goes under the BOW.
I think the biggest culprit is that the head of this part is missing.
(or shaved short).

By putting this strap on, the BOW will move straight back............................

When the Ragtop is closed, the first tension hoop is currently pushing the canvas cover upward.
Maybe this strap will eliminate this phenomenon.

[RockStock]

_________________
-StockRocks-

[YuichiroM]

RockStock san. thanks for the photo.

I took a picture of the center lock arm.

But I could not see the date.
Is it because of the dirt?
I rubbed it by hand but could not remove the dirt. Rust?

I still don't know the details of how the Head bow works, but if I remove this screw on the left and right side, the lower Head bow and the upper Head bow will come off?

I did look at it carefully when I took the pictures,
When the handle is turned, the Head bow opens up and down.
I didn't know that...
I always thought it was simply pulled forward to lock it in place.
VW factory 70 years ago thought up the idea very well.

[RockStock]

[RockStock]

Yes, it’s a clever design. I liked it too.

Yes, remove those two large screws to detach the header cap (#15 in the diagram above). You have the early screws (they have a larger head than later screws). The large head screws are not reproduced, and they are pretty bespoke - being shouldered - so again take real care removing them. Use the correct screwdriver head! One of mine was seized fast, so it got damaged. I had a pair remade, as I didn’t want to use the replacement option with the smaller head (from Grumpy’s).

The date code. Yes, I removed the mechanism fully, and gently cleaned it up using fine wire wool. Only then did the date become apparent on one of the arms. It is faint. Lube the mechanism whilst you’re at it.

^I think it’s on the reverse side of this arm. Prob needs to be removed to see it.

Bag up all the screws/components as you remove them, with notes. Two of the six small philips screws holding the mechanism are longer, for example.

You will probably see your header cap is the early three piece version. Neat.

A few more details here:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9777506&highlight=#9777506
Find your Assembly Numbers on the header cap and main header bow too! Should match the Assembly Number on the bulkhead support.
_________________
-StockRocks-

[YuichiroM]

RockStock san.

The date on the center locking arm is on the back side!
Indeed, your center lock in the photo shows the bolt holes to fasten it to the front.

My Ragtop is missing the #42 tension strap and #45 cover plate.
The #28 guide plate is shaved and short (cracked and gone).

I don't intend to disassemble everything.
I am thinking it would be better to remove the top and bottom of the head Bow in order to install the tension strap.

If I try to remove things, I might break parts that are not broken.
Unfortunately, I am a breaker.

I wonder if I can even check the assembly numbers of the header cap and header bow...