How to adjust window scraper on a '72 - '74 door

[22manybugs]

I am replacing the rubber in the window scraper on a 1972 - 1974 Ghia door. It's been impossible to get the rubber adjusted correctly - it's either too tight against the glass (so it drags against the glass and I can't hardly roll down the window) or there is a gap (so the rubber does not block water from running down the window into the door). I did this once before, but that time the rubber was too tight against the glass and tore within a year, so this time I want to get it set right. I've been trying to adjust it by bending the lip at the top of the door that the scraper mounts to, but it seems I can't get fine enough adjustment that way. Does anyone know a trick to get this adjusted correctly?
_________________
Lon

1969 Karmann Ghia convertible
1971 Westfalia camper

[kiwighia68]

[22manybugs]

Yes, I saw that article. But it's for a '71 door, and VW completely changed the design of the scrapers for '72 - '74 doors. I don't see any articles covering '72 - '74s.
_________________
Lon

1969 Karmann Ghia convertible
1971 Westfalia camper

[22manybugs]

Okay, I finished it. I kept hoping I'd have an "AHA!" moment and find a simple way to adjust it, but no luck. The steps are: install the scraper assembly, mark sections with masking tape that are either too close to the glass or too far from the glass, remove the scraper assembly, tweak the metal lip in or out by eyeball, and keep repeating. Plus the metal trim is very flimsy, so every time you pull it off, it bends and you have to bend it back to shape. Plus you have to install the trim with the clips that lock the trim to the door because without the clips the rubber doesn't sit in exactly the same position, so removing the trim is always difficult. What a PITA job! I did learn a few things, maybe this will help others in the future.

The scraper and trim is one integrated piece, not like earlier Ghias where the separate pieces are installed on the car. I assume the one piece makes it quicker/cheaper to assemble the car - just take the one piece, pop it on and you're done (as long as the gap is correct to begin with so it doesn't require adjustment). Here's a picture of the integrated trim (sorry it's blurry):

Here's a cross-section. The rubber scraper is sandwiched between the trim, then a metal piece with cloth (felt?) is attached/glued over that. I replaced the rubber by slightly prying apart the trim, digging/cutting out the rubber with a knife (kind of a pain), then spraying the new rubber with some silicone lube and sliding it in from one side (very easy), then clamping the trim piece back down. I don't think I got it clamped as tight as originally, but it seems to work fine.

Here's one of the clips that holds the trim to the door, then the next two pictures show it installed in the trim and installed in the door. There's a lip on the clip that fits into slot in the door to hold it in place. I found it was much easier to put the clips on the door first then push on the trim, versus putting the clip into the trim then pushing onto the door.

Do this first, then push the trim on:

One thing I noticed was that I had a curve to the door lip. I figured it would be a straight line...

But then I checked the glass and found it also has a curve. From the middle, the glass curves out 2 mm on each side. So expect that the door lip and trim should have a curve. (It would be so much easier to adjust if it were a straight line!)

One other thing, when I was done, the gap from the glass to the door lip (with the trim removed) was 0.4 inches across the entire door. If that holds true for other doors, then that might make it easy to setup the trim - just bend the lip to get the 0.4 inch gap everywhere. At least that's a good place to start.

Here's the finished trim. It seems to fit well without the rubber binding against the glass.

_________________
Lon

1969 Karmann Ghia convertible
1971 Westfalia camper

[carl4x4]

Nice write up, never seen one for a late Ghia before. Mines an earlier car but I do find occasionally it helps to lubricate the scraper seals with some silicon rubber lubricant to stop them sticking to the glass.
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1969 UK Karmann Ghia build http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=518789&highlight=

[22manybugs]

[akcarter]

Hi 22manybugs. Where did you purchse the window scraper rubber? I can find the felt easily, but I haven't found a retailer that has the rubber for 72-74.

[didget69]

1972-74 Window Scraper Rubber Seal -

http://www.karmannghia.com/viewDetail.asp?strMasterCat=1126&idproduct=4500

bnc
_________________
I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door.

[carl4x4]

[hopkin]

I had a similar problem when I did the scrapers on my Beetle (needed some lubricant). The rubber would fold down as I raised and lowered the window.

I sprinkled Baby Powder on the rubber, I only had to use it once on the driver's side and a couple times on the passenger side and the problem went away. That was 2 years ago.
_________________
1971 Super Beetle (past)
1971 Super Beetle (past)
1974 SunBug (past)
1972 914 (past)
1991 Honda Civic (Original Owner)
1996 'Open Air' Mexican Beetle (current)
2015 Golf (past)
2015 Golf GTI (current)
2017 Dune Edition (daughter's car)

[didget69]

Two options I've used -

http://www.autogeek.net/1z-einszett-rubber-care-stick.html (I like this one best)

http://store.blackforestindustries.com/wuruca.html

bnc
_________________
I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door.

[22manybugs]

[didget69]

[Sterck]

Hello,

I'm French and new on this site.

I drive a 1971 Karmann ghia but i don't know the year of my doors and the sytem of their window scrapper
As you can see the clips dooesn't fit that's why i had to cut it and stick them all...

Thanks for your help !

[c21darrel]

unless the holes are filled over you have a later door. This thread should set you straight.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=438734&highlight=door+differences
_________________
GhiaBuild
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=481184
1967 DC build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=693583&highlight=67+dc
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[Sterck]

Hello,

Thanks for the answer !
Is it possible to have a picture of :

"71 down has a thin chrome blade with a flat piece of rubber riding against the window"

[Era Vulgaris]

[Sterck]

Thanks for your answer.

But as you can see above, they are no hole on my doors

[Sterck]

the white doors have a curve "lips"

Mine are vertical and smaller

[Safety_third]

This was very helpful.
I haven’t ventured to try and resolve the issue, but at least I understand what could be leading to the problem.
Had the car repainted and used all new rubber. Shop has glass so tight the winders barely budge them and the glass is scratching in places (!) … this will help me as I try to rectify.
Thanks!!!