Convertible Door and Rear 1/4 Glass

[djkeev]

The question arises over and over on how to install, remove or adjust the side glass on the Convertibles.

Apparently the Convertible Side glass systems are basically the same from 1965 - 1979.

Convertible side glass is NOT covered at all by the newer Bentley manuals and the side windows on Sedans are 100% different in design and operation.

I'm also going to gather information from other threads and put them together here creating a one stop Convertible Side Glass reference.
I hope to add photos to many of the quoted pages that follow, thus enhancing the "how to" aspect of this thread.

I'm going to attempt to explain how it all works, what screws do what, how to adjust, etc.

KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES ARE MIRROR IMAGES, YOU WILL SEE PHOTOS OF BOTH ON HERE

Now, I do not have a book to follow so input from others will be a valuable addition to what I know. My experience is with a 1974 Super Beetle Convertible. EDIT: book located, scroll down to find info.

Initially I'll put in a few photos and explain a few basics.......
I'm not even pretending that I know everything about these doors, just want to share what I know in an organized manner to hopefully help others.
Bear with me.......

First a picture of my Drivers door, I crudely marked where important points are located that must be accessed for adjustment........

Here are close ups of these points......

These units have a sheet of glass with a track mounted to the bottom which fastens into the WINDOW REGULATOR arm.

The top edge and the rear edge have a chrome trim mounted to them, the bottom of the rear trim HAS A NOTCH which rides in the rear window guide.

There is a REAR WINDOW GUIDE that fastens top and bottom with the bottom having the ability to adjust glass tilt.

The front of the window glass rides in the WING VENT ASSEMBLY, this has a large groove with a felt channel pressed into it to securely hold and guide the glass. This vent assembly concept is probably the only part of the system that is similar to the Sedan.
This vent assembly also has provision to adjust tilt of the unit.
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

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Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[djkeev]

I stumbled upon a few excellent links.......

If the window had excess play and has trouble rolling up, crooked, binds, falls out of track, etc......
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=496310&highlight=convertible+window


Long paragraph of good written instructions by jhicken ..........
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=247999&highlight=regulator

[djkeev]

A parts diagram of the system......

[djkeev]

Cussers good post on window scraper installation........

[djkeev]

Fixing the vent glass into the frame....

This is a question I had until right now! Black RTV........ Gotta go get some of that!

[djkeev]

Photo of window components.....

[djkeev]

Rear 1/4 glass removal

[Cusser]

Thanks for the tutorial on the door glass. All I've done was the rear quarter glass on these. This should be a Sticky.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[djkeev]

Well well well...........

After finding and reading convertparts1's post about the windows being the same back to 1965..... It struck me remembering how Bentley seems to work........

They seem to largely add information for newer models THAT HAS CHANGED FROM THE PREVIOUS YEARS. That means the reason that Convertible door instructions are omitted from the newer Type I service editions, the light blue and orange books, is that they DID NOT SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE!
I think that Bentley assumes you own the entire collection of Volumes and have them for reference if need be.

Well........I DO!

So, out to the garage I went, grabbed my 1961 - 1965 Big Blue Bentley and Viola'! Convertible door instructions! (Two instructions, one For up to 1965 and the second for 1965......and not stated but obviously so.... Through 1979!

A quick glance at them and I in essence see my 1974 Convertible door shown! There are of course differences in the door, no top mounted door lock knob, different door release mechanism, etc.

OK. You don't all own the Bentley as a complete set do you?

This looks like a great guide book to help us all understand these windows and to remove the mystery and frustration they seem to bring upon us all!

I'll add photos as I get a chance to take them.

Step 1.
(Refer to my photos at the beginning of this post)
*Remove the two plastic caps of the upper front edge of the door.
*Remove the two 10mm bolts in front of the vent window on the front edge of the door.
(Almost covered by the rubber weatherstripping, plastic caps are removed)....

*Remove the single screw found below the rubber vent window seal, there is a hole in the seal allowing access without removing the seal, open the Vent window, you will find the hole.
(Screwdriver is in the hole to loosen the screw)......

*Remove the 13mm nut at the bottom of the vent window frame
(White arrow)

Lift the VENT WINDOW ASSEMBLY up out of the door. Be careful of tearing the rubber as you do so. You need temove the adjusting stud at the bottom so it clears the window slot easily, with it on, you'll fight (and probably fail) getting that vent assembly out! Don't bugger up the threads with vise grips or pliers when removing the double adjustment stud! They are often seized and will require some "love" to convince them to rotate.
In my experience, I leave the vent assembly loose in the door cavity giving space for the window to exit easily, I then pull the vent frame assembly out afterwards. Just let it drop down in after you remove the adjuster screw from the lower leg.

Step 2
A helper is handy here to hang onto the door glass preventing it from falling down into the door cavity. I often use a rubber coated wood clamp. A simple squeeze lever type....... Like one of these...... http://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Industrial-512QCN-Gene...oodworking

*Remove the 10mm bolts for the window regulator, there should be three of them, I've painted them white in the photo below..........(ignore the white arrow)

Step 3
*Slide the window lifter towards the rear enabling the white plastic guides to exit the window lift channel via the rectangular holes. You may need to reinstall the window crank handle and raise or lower the mechanism to successfully get everything lined up properly.
(Window Regular and bottom window channel, Arrows point at both Rectangular holes. White Plastic guides? Well.....not so white!)

(Close up of rear window guide and hole)

(This rear guide is an adjustment point, it has a slot in the Regulator and is held on by a Nut, the Front guide is riveted onto the regulator.)

(View inside door looking up at the nut)

Step 4
(Helper still holding the glass)

*Remove the window regulator out of the door cavity through the large access hole towards the rear of the door.

Step 5
*Have your helper lift the door glass up out of the cavity.
I've found that if you pull the upper rear window guide bolt and loosen the lower one that it gives enough slop to get the window frame up out of the window slot. That rear bit of the window frame is thick and a very tight fit! Proceed carefully and you will need a screw driver to help encourage the window frame to travel in the proper direction as needed!
The same applies for reinstallation, upper bolt out, a little leverage applied here and there!

Step 6
*On the rear edge of the door, pop off the plastic cap towards the top and remove the 10mm bolt that secures the rear window guide in the door. ( I suggest doing this before you remove the door glass.)

Step 7
*Remove the 13mm nut at the bottom of the rear window guide bar, remove the bar from the door cavity, it may need to be maneuvered around the door latch and the side impact reinforcement. (Found on newer doors)
(Nut at white Arrow, the two white items under the Door Latch Rod is simple peel and stick 3/8" foam weatherstripping, available at any home supply center. I use it as an anti- rattle medium)

Step 8
*Remove the inner rubber door scraper. It is a "C" shaped rubber piece, just work it off the metal. It wraps around the bottom and slips into a top groove.

Step 9
*Remove the screws (newer cars may be Pop Rivets, drill them out, reinstall with screws) securing the outer window scraper to the door shell. Carefully remove the scraper assembly, it may be rusty and fragile.

Step 10
*Remove the rubber bit at the rear edge of the door window opening. It is held on by a small #1 Phillips screw. Odds are high it may be missing! Replacements are easily obtained.
(White Arrow)

Here is a photo from Bentley page A-37A 4 showing a cross cut of the window scrapers......also the window regulator......

That's it for removal!
It's getting late.......I've been sick......more on another day.

Dave
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Ghia
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Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[djkeev]

Congratulations!
You've just easily removed your Convertible Door Window Assembly!

I've added some photos to the removal instructions above.

Now clean everything that moves. After it is clean, clamp the regulator in a vise, slip on a crank handle and operate the unit. Lubricate all moving parts with a light oil or a light grease. I Use a white lithium grease on the white plastic guides.

On the Window regulator there is an adjustment for the stop. See the photo above, notice the Back Arrow? It's pointing towards this adjustment point. Loosen that and make sure it turns freely before re-installation.

It is a good idea to free up the double ended tilt adjustment studs before reassembly. It will make your life so much better if things rotate freely!

Dave
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Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[djkeev]

Ok, now let's put this Puppy back together!

*******
I'll add photos as I can, if you've got photos that clearly show steps mentioned, please post them here! I'll move them into the main body of the text if it helps clarify.

Before we proceed with installing parts make sure that the adjustment stop is loosened on the regulator, it's noted by the black arrow on the photo of the unit seen a few pages back.

Lubricate any moving rotating parts on the regulator.

Make sure that the two double ended studs are cleaned and lubricated. The nuts turn easily on the studs and the studs rotate freely in both the Rear Guide Rail and in the lower Vent Frame Assembly.
These studs will be installed with the screwdriver slot out towards the interior of the car.
I often put a smear of anti-seize on the threads.

If you are putting new Window Scrapers on, now is the time! They are a bugger to put on after the glass is in......easy to do right now. Especially the inner scraper!

1. Install the outer moulding and seals. You may need to get new screws, if so, choose wisely and get some stainless steel ones, readily available at Home Depot, Lowes or any good hardware store.

*Now the inner seal, a little bugger it is! Two trains of thought on this.......
A. install the top of the seal in the top groove, press the scraper flange down and then reach down into the slot and massage the bottom lip over the flange.....or, with an empty door cavity, simply reach into the large door opening hole and pull the seal down onto the flange...smallish hands may be required!
Either way you do option "A" it's a minor level of frustration! Doing this same step With the Glass in.....MAJOR FRUSTRATION!!
Or......
B. after engaging the seal top as in option "A" Some feed a small wire into the lower lip of the seal and pull it out as you work the seal onto the flange, not unlike installing windshield glass using a small twine.

Do what works for you!

2. Install the Rear Window Guide. It easily mounts at the bottom with the double ended stud
*The top mounts with a 10mm (head size) bolt through the rear edge of the door.
*Don't tighten things yet, just snug them up.
*Smear some grease on the flange that the window frame slides on. Just a dab on your finger tips and do both sides.

3. Now, take your grease and put a smear in the slot at the rear that engages into the Rear Window Guide.
*Next slide the window glass into the top of the slot past those beautiful new scrapers! Don't worry too much about engaging the Rear Guide for we need to install the Vent Wing Assembly before the window will stay in place!

************************NOTE*************************
Having a helper to maneuver the glass would be a real good thing right now! A helper will Prevent the "guillotine" potential of the glass hurting you! (Unless He/She is an idiot!)

4. Take the Vent Window Frame, (with new window glass channel and new vent wing rubber if needed), shoot a layer of Spray Silicone into the window run channel, wipe off the excess.
*Make sure the lower adjustment screw is removed but nearby ready to install.
*Now carefully lower the frame into the opening and guide in down.
*Your helper can engage the back of the glass into the Rear Window Guide (slot onto flange) and keep it engaged while you get the front of the glass into the window run channel.
*With your helper holding the glass and the Vent Wing Assembly, you screw in the double ended adjustment stud, screwdriver slot oriented to the cars interior.
*Now maneuver the Vent Wing Assembly into the lower mounting slot, loosely install the washer and nut.
*Your helper should double check that the glass is still engaged in the Rear Window Guide and still engaged in the front window run channel.
*Now get the two 10mm (head size) bolts into the front of the Vent Window Assembly. The bolts engage into a floating threaded tap. It helps to take an awl, ice pick, nail, small screwdriver...whatever to put into one of the holes to line up the threads as you screw in the first bolt. Now install the 2nd bolt. Snug up the two bolts and the lower nut.
*One last thing! Put the small screw through the Vent Window Weatherseal and engage the floating plate that it screws into. It may help to use your awl first to position the floating plate.......DO NOT CROSS THREAD THIS SCREW, TAKE YOUR TIME, MAKE SURE IT ENGAGES!!!!!!
*Gently tighten all of the Vent Window Assembly bolts, nut and screw.

********** Whew! You've got the glass in, it is engaged in both the rear slot and in the front run channel. Your helper is begging to let go of the Darn Glass! Lower the glass and let Him/Her relax for a minute, a Refreshing Beverage would be good right now! (Helpers choice!) 🍺 🍹 🍷 🍸

5. Get your Window Regulator, have your helper hold the glass up, and you slip the Regulator into the Big Hole in the Door.
*Have the three short 10mm (head size) bolts with lock washers on them handy.
*Make sure the three mounting points and the window crank stub are facing to the interior of the car.
*have your help slowly lower the window glass until you see the Bottom Track. You will now engage the two "white" guides by guiding them into the two rectangular slots at the same time and then slide the regulator towards the front.
*Now it's a "simple" step of having your helper lift or lower the door glass until the crank stub pokes out the hole and the three screw holes line up, or at least ONE screw hole. Insert a short 10mm (head size) bolt into the one hole.
*Next, your helper will raise or lower the glass until the other two holes line up, put in the other two bolts.
*Tighten all three bolts, snugly. These small bolts snap off fairly easily....no Superman strength required here!

6. ADJUSTMENTS

First Adjustment......
*Adjust the glass between the Vent Frame Assembly and the Rear Window Guide.
*Do this by pushing the glass forward into the Run Channel.
*Now adjust the Rear Window Guide to fit snuggly against the glass.
*Snug up the fasteners.

Second Adjustment.....
*Install the window crank onto the stub and operate the window,does it bind?
*As you crank up the glass does it "tilt" and not go up level? If so you need to adjust the Rear Regulator Guide in the Slot. Loosen the nut on the backside of the rear "white" guide, push the glass against the front window run channel, tighten the nut.
Try rolling the window up and down again......all is good? If not make the needed adjustments now to make it work good.

--------

More to come..........
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Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[aguilarspride]

Since you mentioned you have the books and have posted "how tos" on other years, could you please post a removal and installation for a 59 convertible seals, glass and weatherstripping? Thanks! I've been trying to follow it just by 'adapting' what I'm looking at but if you could help I would appreciate it.

[djkeev]

I've never done any work to a convertible of that vintage so I haven't any experience to share.

PM me with specific question and I'll share what I can via the book. The system looks significantly different!

Dave
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Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[slione]

As always Dave, a great thread. Thanks for putting this out there!
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1974 SB Vert - Getting there, slowly but surely

[djkeev]

Thanks but I need to finish it! Way too busy right now to do so, tis soon the season to make a years worth of money in a fast 8 weeks!

Go go go go! Everything must work...... No exceptions!

Dave
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Ghia
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Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[paulryan72]

Great Thread..... Bad thing is now ive got to get to work. Ive been searching for a thread like this for a long time. Ive have completly done my wifes 71 SB conv except the windows.......ive been avoiding it but this will make it much easier........ Thanks

[djkeev]

I just did the passenger window, even with a knowledge of how it goes together, it is still a bugger to get in!

Patience is required, also loosening and sliding things as you fit it together until it all just "falls" into place.

Don't go getting angry and forcing things, no good will come of it!

You might rearrange the order of events if it works for you as well. It's a very closely engineered puzzle, especially the newer doors with the side impact bar taking up precious maneuvering space!

Dave
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Ghia
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[Rex lucy]

Great thread. would have saved me a bunch of head scratching. I may have missed it but will add. Inside the vertical guide at rear of door is plastic buttons that are often missing. if so the window will wobble.

[Epilog79]

Thanks for the write-up, I just finished putting new seals on the a-pillar and now the door is difficult to close. Looks like the top of the vent window is leaning too far towards the middleline of the car. Based on your pictures it looks like I need to adjust the screw at the bottom. ie the Tail end of the long verticle vent piece.

[djkeev]