Should I go see if this is covered by warranty?

[Beltaine]

I'm pretty sure my warranty will be up by the time it's warm enough to use the top, so I've been inspecting it really closely.

I noticed on the driver side a part of the top was sticking out kind of awkwardly.

On further inspection, it appears a few stitches have come out due to the extra stress of this piece sticking out. It' in a hinge point and there's a thin piece of metal there with an angled end on it that appears to be "out of whack". The top operates fine, though. Do you think it's something I should even fool with? My closest stealership is an hour drive.

First pic is the wierd part sticking out. Second is the missing stitches. Third is the same hinge area from the other side, stitches intact.

[digitalputty]

I would.

[overlander64]

Greetings Beltaine!

It would definitely be worthwhile to have this issue checked by the dealer. The edge biniding is important to the longetivity of the canvas top -- once the binding lets loose, it doesn't take long for the edge of the canvas to become frayed. If nothing else, having this problem recorded while the warranty is still in effect could provide proof that this problem was reported during warranty if it becomes more pronounced shortly after the warranty expires -- many such issues can still be covered by the new car warranty if the problem was reported during the warranty coverage period.

Kevin

[nubee sport]

It's tough to tell in the picture exactly where on the side of the top that is, but it could just be the plastic extrusions coming out of their channels. Basically from the front edge of the top to about 12" backward, and all along the curve near the rear 1/4 windows, there is a flat piece of plastic sewn into the top, in between the binding and top, that has tiny clips on it. This plastic pushes up into a channel on the frame, with the clips holding it into position. If there is enough stress those clips could have worked their way loose, thus the plastic will start to stick out. Again, its hard to tell if that's the case with your car because the pics are so close.
As for the threads missing, I would only be concerned if its in an area that folds. Those areas with the plastic extrusions do not move or fold, so if its there then the binding should not give out, unless it rubs on something while going up and down. However, if the car is under warranty still, its worth a shot. If I were a dealer though, I wouldn't replace the top, unless there is significant damage. A simple handstitch or two could fix that. But, its better to be safe than sorry, so go for it!

[nubee sport]

The other scenario, it could be that the side cable has broke. The side cables will help the top from cinching up like in the picture in areas where it floats over the frame and is not clipped in. Maybe worth while to have an upholstery shop take a look at it as well. Dealers know very little about convertible tops, and just send their top work to upholstery shops.

[dnyed]

What year is your 'vert?

edit: I see in your sig. An '05. It is probably under warranty. Take it in as soon as possible.

[Beltaine]

Originally Posted by nubee sport

It's tough to tell in the picture exactly where on the side of the top that is, but it could just be the plastic extrusions coming out of their channels. Basically from the front edge of the top to about 12" backward, and all along the curve near the rear 1/4 windows, there is a flat piece of plastic sewn into the top, in between the binding and top, that has tiny clips on it. This plastic pushes up into a channel on the frame, with the clips holding it into position. If there is enough stress those clips could have worked their way loose, thus the plastic will start to stick out. Again, its hard to tell if that's the case with your car because the pics are so close.
As for the threads missing, I would only be concerned if its in an area that folds. Those areas with the plastic extrusions do not move or fold, so if its there then the binding should not give out, unless it rubs on something while going up and down. However, if the car is under warranty still, its worth a shot. If I were a dealer though, I wouldn't replace the top, unless there is significant damage. A simple handstitch or two could fix that. But, its better to be safe than sorry, so go for it!

From your description, that's exactly what it is, the angled end of the plastic is making it stick out. It's the very end of the plastic rail, at the hinge right above the rear 1/4 window. With the top halfway open, I can see where it slides in a channel, but it looks like it's not resting all the way in the channel?

I'm calling the dealer Monday to schedule an appointment. I at least want them to have it on record that this is happening. I don't think it's something where the whole top will need to be replaced, maybe just stitch it up and make sure everything's working like it should.

[Beltaine]

More pictures for posterity.

Top is halfway open. First picture, black arrow shows the heavy plastic piece that is now veering outwards away from the top. Red arrow is a nice loose thread.

Second picture shows the other side, plastic piece tucked in nice and flush.

Third picture is just to give an idea of the area.

[nubee sport]

ok, that's a little better. Yeah a little tiny clip will hold that in place, probably worth less than .01 lol. The clip might still be in there, either on the plastic piece itself or stuck in the channel. If it is, u just take it out/off and relocate it further up on the plastic piece, then jam that plastic into the channel. The clip has tiny sharp teeth on it that dig into the plastic and catch on the inside of that channel. So putting it onto a fresh part of the plastic will give it new life. Those clips can wear out too, so if it doesn't hold, u need a new one.
As for the thread, that is in a stress area, so see what VW wants to do if its under warranty. Commonly one of three things will occur: They will send it to an upholstery shop to A: put a small stitch in there by hand (cheapest route)
B: take the top off to machine stitch it back together. Or, VW has a recall kit for the binding on these tops because of wear do to faulty auto window-drop regulators. so what they do is simply remove the original binding, and sew on a new one. (middle cost route)
C: replace the entire top (most expensive route)

If the top is a few years old, its never a bad thing to have a new one put on for free. Shouldn't take more than a day for a reputable shop to do it.

[Beltaine]

They got the rail back in where it's supposed to be, and got out of fixing the stitching by telling me the damage looked to be from someone trying to break into it, so it wouldn't be covered by warranty.

Going to call around to upholstery shops and get estimates on a couple of had stitches just to be safe. They at least fixed the part of the problem that was obvious.

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by Beltaine

They got the rail back in where it's supposed to be, and got out of fixing the stitching by telling me the damage looked to be from someone trying to break into it, so it wouldn't be covered by warranty.

Going to call around to upholstery shops and get estimates on a couple of had stitches just to be safe. They at least fixed the part of the problem that was obvious.

Tell them to prove that it was caused by somebody trying to break in. They have the burden of proof. I also might think of taking it to a different dealer if one is available. If it were me I would make a report to VWoA.

[nubee sport]

if someone wanted to break in, they would have cut the top, not a stitch in the binding. Dealerships are so full of crap, especially now that the economy sucks, they will do anything to save a buck. You have yourself a case there if you want to go after it, up to you.