1977 Bus Sunroof Rebuild

[Sluggo]

Need info on who makes the best replacement cable and how it connects. I just cant see how that nub on the cable will connect and what it will connect to.

Please take a look at the pics and tell me if anything is missing.
[albumimg]2392[/albumimg]
[albumimg]2391[/albumimg] [albumimg]2390[/albumimg]

[Amskeptic]

Need info on who makes the best replacement cable and how it connects.

I can't make heads or tails of the pictures. The cable is supposed to just sit in the tube and get twisted at the gear box. The sunroof then just spools down the cables.
Colin

[Sluggo]

So the prong with a spring on it shown here...
[albumimg]2392[/albumimg]

Goes through the tube shown here by the lifter?
[albumimg]2391[/albumimg]

That's what I thought at first but this loop is on the rear of the sunroof. Does the cable go back that far?


I got the sunroof open today. Didn't take much. Looks like someone had pulled the seal then shoved it into the gap around the sunroof and filled it with exterior window caulk. Just shoved a putty knife into the groove separating the caulk from the side and it pulled right out seal and all. In sections of course. Back of the sunroof dropped down as soon as I pulled the seal and it easily slid back. There's some rust all around the inner edge of the sunroof but no cancer. It can just be scraped off, POR-15'd and painted.

[albumimg]2411[/albumimg] [albumimg]2410[/albumimg]

[Sluggo]

Just ordered the right side cable and seal from CIP1.

[Sluggo]

Bought the stuff I'll need to remove the rust & paint the sunroof today. My Mom is taking the brat on Friday and I'm getting off work early so I'll be pulling it apart and getting it all ready for the new seal & cable.

Still need to know exactly where and how the cables connect to the sunroof.

[Amskeptic]

My Mom is taking the brat on Friday and I'm getting off work early so I'll be pulling it apart and getting it all ready for the new seal & cable.

Still need to know exactly where and how the cables connect to the sunroof.

They don't. The lifter assemblies, which bolt to the sunroof steel panel, thread down the stationary cables which just rotate in the tubes as mentioned in an earlier post on this thread. The Bentley has photographs and descriptions that should make it easy work.
Colin - and any child named "Colin" cannot possibly be a brat. . .

[Bookwus]

Hiya Colin,

- and any child named "Colin" cannot possibly be a brat. . .

Adults on the other hand......................

[Sluggo]

Just figured it out. Dug through the thousands of pictures in the Samba gallery and found one that showed the connection. That picture also showed that the left side cable (the one I thought was good) is broken. I'll have to order it too. Wish they weren't $150 each. Still cheaper and better than welding it closed.

I also just pulled the roof and removed the screws for the left runner. I should have it completely disassembled tonight. I'll post pics when I'm done.

[Sluggo]

Ended up not getting to the sunroof. Mom didn't take the kid because her car got booted. I'll get it done. I'm really stoked about this sunroof.

[Amskeptic]

I'm really stoked about this sunroof.

A properly functioning sunroof is a wonderful addition to the VW experience. It is also the largest sliding steel sunroof available on any car.
Colin

[skin daddio]

Wish they weren't $150 each.

looking forward to this, i heard the new cables do bite and am looking for better data days.