Convertible Door and Rear 1/4 Glass

[BUGGED11111]

[BWingate]

[BWingate]

I'm trying to align the driver's side windows on a '74 Super Beetle Convertible. I know one of the problems that is keeping me from getting good alignment is that all the scrapers are deteriorated or missing.

I'm assuming that the leading edge of the vent window is used to set the baseline of the window and that you try to align the tilt and height of the vent window to match the convertible frame. I think I have that close (its probable a little tight because it seems to hit the frame but no pix)

Next, I would align the roll-up window to track straight up and down relative to the track in the rear of the vent window, right? My problem is that the window is rolling up slightly faster than the rear, so I end up with the front of the roll-up window about 1/4 inch higher and back from the vent window:

I can push the rear of the window and the gap will close, but it opens as soon as the window moves.

And that of course pushes the rear of the window out of alignment:

This picture shows two of my alignment issues: the front and rear windows overlap - one of them needs to tilt either in or out.

But first things first: Which alignment adjustments would make the roll-up window track straight up-and-down?

I'm off to re-read this thread, stare at the windows and scratch my head.

Thanks,
Bruce.[/i]

[BWingate]

A little review and some guesswork and I figured it out: The rear bolt in the image below is used to adjust the for and aft position of the roll-up window.

I loosened it up, shoved the window forward and tightened up back up and got this:

Not the best picture - sorry. The problem was not all with the adjustment of the windows - the seal between the front and rear windows was out of the track some, so I reset that, and everything works better with both windows rolled up just a little less than all the way up.

There are still some issues with the windows "flopping" in and out and with the height adjustment of the roll-up windows - I would like them to go all the way down easily and to lower the upper limit just a bit - but for now this is a 100% better than before.

[TJs73Vert]

[TJs73Vert]

Tips from my reassembly for future readers:

- If it's rusted, you'll probably be drilling out the screw in the vent wing. I repaired this by using a 1/4" square plastic insert and stainless steel #6 x1.25" threaded screw, like those typically used as license plate fasteners but smaller scale. The perfect one was in an assortment pack at Pep Boys. Choose the screw to match separately.

- I left the rear vertical track in, so reassembly was
1. Press on new inner scraper,
2. Insert regulator loosely,
3. Insert vent wing frame loosely,
4. Put window glass into tracks rear first,
5. Unbolt reg, engage to glass, rebolt reg (use window crank to help realign its bolts)
6. tighten all bolts,
7. install outer scraper (roll window all the way down, use #1 Phillips).

- A helper must hold the window while you line up the tracks then tighten the front two bolts, then the regulator studs, then the adjusting studs.

- Stainless steel #4 x.5" screws available at home depot replaced lost and rusted outer scraper screws nicely. Take one to compare.

- Adjusting stud frozen? Vent wing frame can be removed with stud in place, if you turn the assembly 90*, it will fit out the top of the door. Use a wood shim if necessary but mine fit right out.

- inner scrapers i pressed on the bottom, then stretched over the top, then pressed into top notch.

- I used Gold Bond medicated powder that comes in an AEROSOL CAN. Holy smokes easy peasy to apply powder when done. Look for it!

- If it's tight at the top, confirm there's countersunk screws holding the roof seals. Larger heads will cause bind.

***
One window is a little high at rear, the other a little low. But my adjusters are frozen so i trimmed the roof seals just a bit and it's a perfect fit. Good luck!

[bnam]

I wanted to replace my left side window regulator as the part where the winder mounts is broken on mine and winder does not stay on.

I tried to follow the steps posted by Dave, but struggled as I could not get past step 1. The vent window would not come out up as it needs to be moved backward to pull up and out. But can't be moved back until the glass is removed.

I ended up removing and replacing the regulator without taking out the vent window.

The steps I took were

1. Unbolt/unscrew the vent window.
2. Unbolt the regulator and move it to disconnect it from the glass.
3. Remove the rubber trim at the top back of the door. Then unbolt the rear guide.
4. Now pull the glass up as high as possible. Tilt the vent window and pull up as well. Have a helper hold these
5. Drop the regulator to the bottom and pull out -- with the vent window up halfway, the regulator should be able to slide out underneath and out the main hole.
6. I inserted the replacement regulator and installed it loosely with 2 bolts.
7. Dropped the vent window back and loosely installed it.
8. Removed the regulator again. Dropped the glass and mounted the regulator to the bottom of the glass. Then remounted the regulator.
9. Pulled the glass back up and inserted rear guide making sure it slotted into the slot on the frame to the glass. Then pushed the glass down a bit and got the adjustment screw of the rear guide back in the hole/slot.

Now it was all back together and since I had marked the adjustment screw position earlier, I was able ore readjust easily and tighten.

While, the needed repair is done, I'm still unclear as to how to take the glass and the vent window completely out. The glass would not pull out as there is a ledge at the bottom that hits the rubber trim. But I don't think I can pull out the vent window without taking out the glass.

[mr matt]

Sorry, I cannot help with the above problem, been many a years since I had to take one out, but it looks as if what Dave wrote is what I remember doing, so not sure what is wrong.



A problem with a new convert I have is it seems as if the driver window cannot be rolled up far enough. I adjusted the stop as much as possible and it still needs to go up a tad to be level with the frame ( the whole driver glass does have a tilt to it - working on that..)

Is it possible to lift the whole glass frame up about 1/2 - 3/4 inch or so? Can this be accomplished by loosening the lower left hand nut ( one with screw-driver slot in it) and loosening the one in the outer door jamb to lift the whole assembly up? Maybe this does not make sense... any input would be helpful.
Thanks!!

[bnam]

Is it hitting the stop on the regulator?

[mr matt]

THanks, but yes it is. I lowered the bolt & nut and bottomed them out. Window was still low. I removed the nut and put it on the underside of the holder so I could lower the bolt even more. Window is even now, but the winder does not catch until I turn it about half way. Very strange.

Have not had time to work on it lately, but just wanted to put this out in case if anyone had the same issue.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[azamy66]

This thread is an awesome reference. I am almost finished reinstalling all my windows. The only ones left are the door windows. The mechanics are all in place, I just need to slide the windows down inside the door and adjust using your references. But first, I need to finish outfitting my windows with the new rubber seals and chrome. Ugh.
Any suggestions on replacing and reinstalling rubber window seals and chrome on the door windows? I tried placing the seals on the glass first and then tapped the chrome on after using silicone spray, but it didn't work well. Next I tried placing the seals inside the chrome first and then used silicone to try and ease them onto the window glass. That was difficult as well. Maybe I need to use a different agent to try and glide them on? Or maybe I should take them to an auto window specialist to do it for me? ha ha I'm so afraid that I am going to crack or break the windows if I try to force things.

Amy
_________________
"Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans" ~ John Lennon

1965 Java Green Sedan
1868 Yukon Yellow Convertible
2012 Passat SEL Premium PZEV

[JoeyBagaDonutz]

Just finished putting the rubber seals on all my windows... I put the seals on the glass first holding them in place with a few random dabs of "3m black super weatherstrip adhesive". I let that set up overnight. Next day I put some glycerine on the seals and used bar clamps to push the seals into the chrome.
Once I got the hang of it on the first window the rest were a piece of cake.
The glycerine is the key.... good luck!
Joey
_________________
1967 Beetle Sedan
1971 Super Beetle Vert
1971 Super Beetle Vert
1971 Karmann Ghia Vert

[azamy66]

Thanks! I will try the same. Where did you find the glycerine?
_________________
"Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans" ~ John Lennon

1965 Java Green Sedan
1868 Yukon Yellow Convertible
2012 Passat SEL Premium PZEV

[JoeyBagaDonutz]

Sorry ! forgot to mention the glycerine (or glycerin) can be found at any
drugstore. I think it was about 2 bucks for a bottle.....
_________________
1967 Beetle Sedan
1971 Super Beetle Vert
1971 Super Beetle Vert
1971 Karmann Ghia Vert

[RichNJohn]

On my 72 the scrapers are new and they fit tightly to the glass. Problem is they are so tight that they grab the chrome trim on the top of the window and pull the glass out of the regulator track. Any suggestions other than stop rolling the windows all the way down?

[Cusser]

[JoeyBagaDonutz]

What Cusser said.....

Eventually they will slide fine.
_________________
1967 Beetle Sedan
1971 Super Beetle Vert
1971 Super Beetle Vert
1971 Karmann Ghia Vert

[74Shovel]

I made a short video about replacing the rear quarter window on a convertible Super Beetle, and posted it to YouTube. I'm not sure if I cover any ground that hasn't been covered in previous posts, but I thought I'd add the link just in case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYhri5psYxE&t=101s

[stick]

So glad this is out there! Putting the glass back in a 79 and I couldn’t adjust it enough. Seems I forgot about the sliding guide being a adjustment spot as well.

[johnpernock]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I’ve been stuck for a few days trying to get my glass out. Any tips for getting the regulator unhooked from the bottom of the glass? No matter what I try it seems to be 1/10” of an inch or less off from lining up with the holes. I’m not sure if I did something wrong? I’ve followed the steps to a T, since this is the only resource I’ve seen about the vert windows.

I’m just trying to put all new seals on the doors haha.