Replacing My 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio Top

Hi everyone! Today I decided to film how to take a cabrio top off of a MK3 cabrio. I filmed this video simply because I could not find a video when I was trying to figure out how to take the top off myself. For installing a new top just follow this video backwards. I hope this video helps!

[@mealston1725]

Thank You. I have a 95 Cabrio that Ive babied since new. I just had my roof top replaced by the dealership. Your illustration is straight forward. Many Thanks again-

[@IAmMisterD]

Thanks for making this video! I'm hoping to replace my top this spring! Love the car!

[@paulr4414]

Cheers Chloe I have just replaced the top on my Mk3 Golf and your Video was a great help thanks

[@GibZ13]

I had to remove a top right at the junkyard your video helped me a lot many thanks!

[@top5everthing483]

Omg love the video! Helped a lot !!!!

[@eddiemichael4333]

Very good and informative clip,thanks.

[@masonpugh3637]

You did a great job removing that talk and putting the other one in place very thorough video

[@dubworldvwadventures]

Thanks for posting. Only wish the video was in focus!

[@IAmMisterD]

Thank you for this video:)

[@don2nice]

You my friend ARE DA WOMAN! Thank you so much for sharing! I just bought TWO Cabrios! One that has a top in great shape (but automatic 🤮) and the other is the Cabrio with a mechanic transmission, but it looks like it was eaten by a dinosaur! 🤪. I was skeptical at first, but you just gave me some confidence! 🙌

[@chloecampbell8088]

Thank you so much! Glad I could help!

[@don2nice]

@@chloecampbell8088 BTW, i thought you should know that just about a month ago, me and my father in law did it! We swapped the tops ALL THANKS TO YOU and your video. My Cabrio has the hydraulic top which added a few extra steps.these have the 3 bolts on each side that were a pain to remove, but once removed it was easy. I swear I have ZERO DIYer in me but your video was spot it. One again THANK YOU.

[@uscero89]

I cant believe o found a semi new top at the junk yard i followed your instructions other wise i wouldda tore the whole thing to pieces trying to get it out video was giving me headaches trying to focus other than that thank you!

[@chloecampbell8088]

Glad I could help!

[@masonpugh3637]

Thanks for the video do you got more of what you've done to the car very informative

[@NeoAlan]

Great video showing how to remove it, any other showing how to place the new one ?

[@karenmelikyan2168]

Hi, why you removed the top with mechanism? What was the problem? I'm going to replace soft top on my 1998 mk3 Cabrio (old vinyl top is completely dead). Should I also remove my top with mechanism for changing only vinyl?

[@chloecampbell8088]

Karen Melikyan I did that because it was an easier process to remove everything than taking the top apart to just replace the outside fabric.

[@nelsoncosta2338]

Sabe me dize se a diferença na capota do mk5 da do mk6?

[@mr4toes]

so for the seal on the back did you re use the old one and if so did you apply adhesive when re installing

[@chloecampbell8088]

Yes, I did re-use them but I did not apply an adhesive.

[@pedrolaera5471]

Hello, any idea of where I can find the first seal that you removed? I am working on a 1998 cabrio and unfortunately, I am having bit o trouble to find these parts in Australia. Any help would be appreciated. Great video! Thanks

[@chloecampbell8088]

Hi there! Most parts are also really hard to find in the U.S. as well. What I normally do is look up the part number on Volkswagen parts website then type that part number into eBay or into a search engine. Any part that’s for sale with that number usually pops up. I find most of my luck at junkyards as most cabrio parts are discontinued. Hope this helps!

[@pedrolaera5471]

@@chloecampbell8088 Thanks heaps! I will keep browsing. Luckily I am almost done and its pretty much seals, glove compartment latch and other bits.... Good luck with your videos

[@nelsoncosta2338]

Alguem me pode ajudar? Tenho um ford escort cabrio de1991 e nao tenho a capota , a?diferenças nas capotas derivado ao modelo? Tipo mk5 , mk6. Ou assim?

[@giorgigvazava7618]

thanks for the video. where can I find soft top for the car ? Is there any online store for that?

[@chloecampbell8088]

Giorgi Gvazava I found mine in the junkyard. You can find some on eBay but it’s just the fabric not the whole top.

[@robertkinney1480]

@@chloecampbell8088 I just picked one up yesterday off of eBay the whole rack pump motor everything for 450 bucks

[@Bilg61]

Do you have to remove the top in order to get to the motors? Or is there an alternative?

[@chloecampbell8088]

Mine is not a motor top, so I am not sure about this. I don’t believe you would, but try looking on VW vortex website. They should have the answer on there.

[@Toocoolforschool573]

Is there a manual way to put the top down

[@chloecampbell8088]

Not on this model, but I know some of them have it

[@jesusesliberta]

Where did you purchase the top?

[@chloecampbell8088]

I have purchased tops off parts cars and at junk yards. I know eBay sells vinyl tops if you can’t find an original replacement top.

[@kennyheggem2418]

Any suggestions where to buy? I found a low mileage Cabrio, nice shape, top torn over back window. I understand it will be an auto top (not that I desire that).

[@benseal5820]

What hydraulic fluid do I need

[@chloecampbell8088]

My top is not hydraulic, so I am not sure. You could probably find the answer on VW vortex.

[@benseal5820]

@@chloecampbell8088 Ok thanks anyway

[@kraejaysburneracc1496]

whered you but a new top?

[@chloecampbell8088]

I got my replacement top off of a Cabrio I found in the junkyard.

[@alfalfa5643]

lo puedes hacer en español

[@cristiangonzalezaarmenta242]

Órale eres cabrona eh thanks lady Nice car....i love cabrios to....saludos desde Tijuana....

[@nichijou56]

god damn yours is so nice compared to my pile of shit LMAO

[@JordanNegrete]

Yeah trying to do this while she “walks us through it” isn’t helping. Didn’t give good explanation on figuring out where some of the nuts and bolts were, camera was too far away. Kinda helped but now really

[@chloecampbell8088]

I’m sorry I couldn’t be more of a help. It’s hard trying to take bolts out and hold a camera. There are more resources online that can help you locate those bolts I may have missed or you could purchase an owner’s manual that has step-by-step instructions with pictures.

[@JordanNegrete]

@@chloecampbell8088 those 3 bolts on the back that were tucked back and couldn’t get a wrench on, what did you use?

[@don2nice]

By far, this video is the VERY BEST video out there to help explain how to do this. I am not handy AT ALL, and I was able to swap my damaged one with a good one that was installed on another car. One major key factor to keep in mind is that if you have a hydraulic pump, you will need to be very mindful of that (@Jordan, this is likely the reason why she didn't show bolts on her video since she has a manual top). I can see how that part would be a challenge, but honestly, I was able to figure it out (and yes they are SUPER TIGHT and hard to get to). Just be patient, have a second set of hands and tools.

[@konikn9912]

The video is Top. The quality is Crap.

[@chloecampbell8088]

Sorry I couldn’t be more of a help. It was difficult holding the camera, making sure it was in focus, and trying to remove bolts at the same time.

[@pmv-mh2mz]

Does the camerman have parkinsons? jesus christ stand still.

[@chloecampbell8088]

Most of the time I was holding the camera myself and trying to take bolts off (not the easiest thing in the world). However, you can still easily understand how to take the top off the car… if you can’t just because of the camera moving around then oh 🐳 best of luck to ya.