New convertible top, rear window looks funky

[scottf3334]

Just installed a new vert top and it looks great, all except the back window. The bottom seems to "lean" in. It doesn't follow the contours of the bug.

I installed the webbing and everything is nice and tight. Any idea what I did wrong? Think the webbing my be too tight?
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84 Westy
78 Super vert
87 Westy Zetec

[Cusser]

Post some photos. Here's my 1980 top on my 1971 Convertible, after I made new wood pieces to replace the warped particle board in the metal frame, and daughter and I replaced the rear window rubber (2010). I'm not saying this is how it should be when new.

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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

[scottf3334]

Thanks for the picture, mine seems to have more lean.

I beginning to think it is the rear bow is too high, I hope not, cause that would mean unstapling, ungluing and sewing some length back on the padding pocket
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84 Westy
78 Super vert
87 Westy Zetec

[jmedwid]

I don't have my rear glass in this picture but my rear window, a 76, looks similar to yours where the bottom is pushed in more than I would like. My glass looks like it may be a little higher than yours; I can't remember the exact measurements I used. I wanna say 5.5" from the rear bow and I believe it was about the same from the rear of the car. 75-79 I believe are the same top so you should compare your top to other cars in that range.

I don't remember what mine looked like when I got the car -- a long time ago.

[scottf3334]

So, I've spent more time studing pictures in the classifieds. There are some with a similar lean.

In the book "VW Beetle & Transporter a Guide to Purchase and DIY Restoration" by Porter , there is no mention of the fabric webbing. I wonder if it was stock on the late models. Maybe, I've gotten it too tight.

The pristine bugs, the ones that are still on their first top, don't lean like mine.

I can't hang pictures level, so I can't really tell if the back bow is higher or lower in different pictures. So maybe someone could take a look

Thanks
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84 Westy
78 Super vert
87 Westy Zetec

[Q-Dog]

It has been a long time since I worked on a convertible top, but what I remember is the webbing that holds the rear window frame needs to be attached to the metal side of the frame and not to the wood side of the frame. That way the webbing pushes the frame out instead of in when the top goes up. Does that make sense?

Also, the webbing on my car was wrapped around the lower tack strip towards the outside of the car, again, pushing the window frame towards the outside of the car.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle