VW New Beetle Convertible 2003-2010 - Convertible top outer shell remove, install - DIY Repair

[@MrVsbt1]

Would be great if you showed how to remove the whole backseat and rear interior trim panels

[@epic1887]

Don’t know if it’s much help now but you pull up hard on the front of the bottom seat and it will pop up then remove the bolts at the bottom of the backrest and it slides up

[@Xantylon74]

There it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZ7GZ62ln957q6c

[@Xantylon74]

But watch out, you can damage the platic support for the flaps very easy, this happens often in the repair shops!

[@kingracs0]

Where can I find this zipper tool?

[@Mr572u]

What about the rivits you drilled out?

[@liggins2458]

I wish someone could supply a diagram of the headlining tensioner cord route. Nobody even on forums can. Getting right and left side as plastics broken. But how they route is anyone's guess

[@rodolfovaladez420]

Do a regular apolstery have enough experience to re do the convertible roof of the beetle or is better to take it to the dealer?

[@DonaldCrist-up7nt]

Where do you get the bracket eag1887 from that holds the rear retainer bar ?

[@wailmuwaswes8654]

do you know where I can get stables for that stabler? I have one but I can't find stables for it. Thak You

[@markthrasher5847]

This video is substandard. It leaves out a LOT of key steps! no way you can do this in 2 hours!!!

[@epic1887]

As a dealer you can do it in 2 hours with proper tools. That is who the video is meant for

[@jeffnorthcutt7899]

Removing the old top Im two hours isn't difficult. Doing the whole top start to finish in two hours is impossible

[@Xantylon74]

Removing, not putting on the new one.

[@fasttunningcolombia]

GREATINGS from COLOMBIA SOUTH AMERICA, where can i find that ziper tool, do u sale this?

[@terryloewen7291]

do you have a video for a 2015 Beetle convertible top removal?

[@Tannerrebuilds]

How much are the special tools?

[@glorialombardo8547]

One of the cable pop off when putting the top up can that be replaced

[@victorhoe2321]

My 2003 VW new beetle convertible rear glass got delaminated from the canvas.. I recommend replacing the whole canvas with glass piece.

[@patrisims13]

I broke the glass when putting down the roof...can you replace just the glass

[@jeffnorthcutt7899]

No

[@walterschrier704]

So interesting yet so incomplete, what happened with those rivets you drilled out? The zipper tool everyone asks about is easy enough to find, so is the back seat and panel removal steps. Can we see more of the re-install? Proper reconnecting of the cables? Any adjustments if it's too tight or too loose? I'm pretty sure anyone can remove the top easily enough, getting it back on is the tricky part. That's the problem with DIY KZbin videos, they don't show you the F-ups... This one must've been chocked full, that's why it's so incomplete.

[@danielkuchenberg7046]

Did you not listen to the beginning of the video? They clearly state it is a general overview.

[@katieking6845]

They don't talk about headliner if you glue it to top I don't get it

[@1upholstery]

have any of you done a 2014 top change yet

[@omarvargas5453]

if you found a video 2014 Beetle top replacement let me know thank you

[@livinginvolcano]

Does anyone know how to change the convertible top lift supports? Is it really easy like the trunk lift supports? I have one that is missing on one side of my 2007 new Beetle

[@viralbull8085]

Zipper tool alone is 140 bucks, good to know before buying one of this cars. Now I feel so good about them...

[@geppiemockingbird1489]

Very instructive!

[@HabakukderDreizehnte]

It is very helpful: thank you

[@grantwilliams3663]

Anyone know where you can get the Zipper pliers?

[@larrysmith382]

they were only available to the dealerships

[@kenfranklin7553]

I completed replacing the outer shell on my VW 2005 New Beetle but now the top will not close all the way down. It stops with about 4 inches to close. What could be holding it?

[@lordluvitt]

Did you find the cause of the problem Ken? I'm finding the same issue after fitting my new hood.

[@jakebash9207]

Hey Ken, any updates on your problem?

[@melindascarberry4469]

I also would like to know this as well

[@dustintunis9347]

It sounds to me like the new top is too tight, but that's just a guess. I've never done this before, I'm just researching because I found a new beetle convertible that my wife wants, but the top has seen better days.

[@jerryvannatta186]

Why does my top only close within four inches after I finished the installation?

[@lordluvitt]

Did you find the cause of the problem Jerry? I'm finding the same issue after fitting my new hood.

[@markburkhalter41]

Dylan MacMillan I had the same problem. What I ended up doing was disconnecting all of the edges of the shell from the frame except the very front (and obviously the rear lip that goes into the rear c channel near the rear glass) and pulled the frame down enough to lock the top (this took some serious effort) I then wet the top with a hose and let it sit in the locked position in order to let the fabric stretch. After about a day it had loosened up enough to reconnect the remainder of the seals and reassemble the car.

[@lordluvitt]

Brilliant! Thanks ever so much Mark. I’ll give that method a go.

[@markburkhalter41]

Dylan MacMillan also I don’t know if it’s worth mentioning because I’m not sure it helped but I did open the hydraulic valve in the back while I pulled down the top. The valve is located behind a circular rubber plug directly to your left as you stick your head into the trunk. I think all the tension was purely the shell so I’m not sure if it helps any. Also try to wet the top a few times and keep it wet for a while that will help. Best of luck to ya.

[@floridaprisonconsulting8791]

Very helpful

[@katieking7671]

They never said how they clip bottom of convertible in

[@markdalcourt21]

How to remove the back seat of a new beetle convertible

[@paulanon8127]

Lift front part of bottom cushion slide forward and fold up slide metal rods out if brackets. Take out the 3 t40 torques and remove headrest but pull up and twisting back then lift back seat out

[@Nixeuss]

Hello, anyone alreayd do it ? I would like to change mine.....but need a good guide....

[@XOBubba]

I'm in the middle of putting a manual top on my 06, I would not recommend trying this based on this video. They leave out the hard parts......like fastening the front of the top.

[@joshkoecke6879]

XOBubba Any tips on getting the front plastic strip into the channel? Guh, given the price the dealer quoted me for replacing the top I'm still well ahead but my fingers are pretty beat up.

[@danielkuchenberg7046]

Most tops come with a PDF that explains every step with pictures, mine from Sierra did.

[@katieking6845]

They need videos for this I don't want to pay 2300 again for bent back window

[@katieking7671]

Bought the book to hardly clear

[@cbrb6594]

If you’re a novice person donor perform this function goto a dealership and spend that money you have because it’s gonna cost you more when you don’t know that the hell youre doing. When he use the rivet gun to drill I rather spend the money

[@Mr572u]

It failed to show that...

[@rogerhenderson5771]

So first of all you strip out the entire interior. And this is a two hour job ? Pull the other one

[@BritishBoy1971]

I wonder if their syrups are as easy to replace too? 😂

[@katieking7671]

There could be a milllion problems

[@Mr572u]

I think I could do this if I had that zipper tool..

[@jj5484]

It is like watching something from the 1970s...video quality is terrible.

[@jasongrizzle3586]

Brought to you by the 1970s PBS network

[@caseycharle321]

easy after the first one.

[@caseycharle321]

sounds like they dont specialize in tops.. lol

[@tedgatts7630]

What a joke, don’t waste your time watching this

[@headknocker8999]

Don't ever buy a convertible VW, They are rubbish mexican made pieces of dung.. My 2003 has leaked from day one & is the worst thing about the car.. We won't even go into all the other things that have gone wrong with this car.. Like the transmission for instance..My top won't even open now because two of the four window regulators are broken.. I suggest buying a parts car to have around they are that bad.. Seriously.. I wish my wife had never saw this car & when a new one comes I'm gonna insure it full coverage & then drive it into the river.. = OH MY my poor VW has drowned to death.. Good Riddance.. Keep a couple towels & a window squeegee in the car at all times for the next rain.. Also coat the windows on the inside with rain-x, You can thank me later for those tips. This is without a doubt the worst car ever produced period.. Go buy a Yugo instead.. HaHa.. IF you can find one that's still running or in one piece..

[@chrissiethornton4884]

Headknocker sadly I've owned three.....I have yet to learn my lesson.....I now have two convertibles....one I use for parts. I wish I could find a video that would show how to switch one top from another....I need to replace my top from my pull apart car...lol Wish me luck!

[@koshster]

Same here. I bought a 2005 and these things are the lowest quality builds of any car I have ever owned. The top leaks and there are all sorts of other things wrong with the car from poor quality builds. German Engineering my @$$!!! I am hoping to maybe get it in decent operating condition and dump the thing for $2k and chalk it up as lesson learned.

[@midastouch9977]

Great, just bout at VW 2002 and it leaks. It was cheap so 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@DeadgameXXX]

I don't know I bought a 03 convertible for my mother 5 years ago and it's been essentially problem free accept for the shit plastic interior pieces crumbling . Someone did a bad rear window reseal and O found a mint one for 200 if I remove it my self. After reading these comments I think I'll take it off and pay to have it installed.

[@liggins2458]

I have learnt more about cars with a 2003 beetle than ever. Changed whole roof myself, rear window cables , door latch mechanisms, immobilizer relay, air con compressor, alternator , they are a clown car but I love it. Totally over engineered . Door windows having to drop slightly to open and close , strings and cables seem to operate everything that moves, so many microswitches and circuit boards in the doors , failing door checkstraps , etc etc etc. Amazing any still on the road. But as I love a challenge I ain't been beat yet by this clown car. Don't buy one if you aren't a mechanic