convertible top HELP!

Started to do a convertible ton the wife's '03 Beetle. Found many broke parts and have started to put back together. The only thing we have not found where to attach the top tension cable. Have watched the Bentley video 1000 times and can't catch where it goes on the video. Does anybody know where it attaches and/or can send me a drawing where it goes? Thanks in advance.

Removing
– Remove side panel trim → General body repairs, interior; Rep. gr.70
– Remove head restraint cover → General body repairs, interior; Rep. gr.72
– Open convertible roof to half open position.
– Remove roof leading edge trim → Chapter.
– Pull off roof frame seal at front from roof frame -arrow-.
M61-0017
– Unscrew securing bolts for convertible roof cover -arrow-.
M61-0018
– Pull convertible roof cover clamping beading out to side from roof leading edge clamping channel -arrow-.
M61-0019
– Pull hooking beading out of front of roof leading edge -arrow-.
M61-0020
– Unhook cord with ball -1-.
M61-0021
– Pull off roof frame seal of C-pillar in -direction of arrow-.
M61-0024
– Pull off bead from C-pillar channel in -direction of arrow-.
M61-0025
– Pull insert beading -2- off water guide -1-, if part of original equipment.
M61-0012
– Pull out headliner -2- on roof fabric retaining bar -1- in -direction of arrow-.
– Unscrew securing bolts for convertible roof cover at each pillar / each roof bracing element.
Note:
To facilitate the installation, observe of the assignment of each bolt to each hoop / each-pillar.
M61-0008
– Use force to loosen convertible roof cover on C-pillar from outside -direction of arrow-. To do this use clips (commercial type) and protect the convertible roof cover against damage with a cloth.
M61-0134
– Drill out pop rivet on frame -arrow- and remove with the aid of a drift and hammer.
M61-0135
– Drill out pop rivet on C-pillar (inner) -arrow- and remove with the aid of a drift and hammer.
M61-0161
– Pull out tensioning cable downwards in -direction of arrow-.
M61-0136
– Remove padding section of convertible roof cover upwards in -direction of arrow-.
M61-0137
– Pull out bead -2- from channel -1- of rear window -arrow-.
M61-0026
– Unscrew three securing screws on both sides of clamping profile from rear padding belt and roof retaining bar -arrows-.
M61-0138
– Pull out clamping profile -1- of corner bracing from roof retaining bar -2- in -direction of arrow-.
M61-0139
– Separate connector -1- for heated rear window -Z1-.
– Carefully drill pop rivet -4- out of retaining clip -5-.
– Pull off securing clip -3- from ball socket -2-.
– Pull hinge -6- out of ball socket.
M61-0027
– Remove bolts -3- (10 Nm) and nuts -4- (10 Nm) from body -1-.
– Press convertible roof fabric retaining frame -2- off body -1-.
The sealing band between the convertible roof fabric retaining frame and body can lead to retaining frame bonding slightly.
M61-0009
– Screw roof fabric retaining bar with fitting bracket -V.A.G 1887- to body.
M61-0028
– Take out convertible roof cover -1- on side from roof retaining rail -2- in -direction of arrow- (assistance needed).
M61-0031
– Unscrew securing bolt on roof leading edge -arrow-.
M61-0140
– Pull out clamping bead from roof leading edge -1-, roof bracing 1 -2-, roof bracing 2 -3- in -direction of arrow-.
M61-0141
– Fold over convertible roof cover forwards in -direction of arrow-.
M61-0142
– Pull out convertible roof cover at side in -direction of arrow-.
Note:
To facilitate the installation, observe the assignment of each convertible roof cover clamping beading to each hoop and to the roof leading edge.
M61-0143

– If existing, fit water guide -1- with insert beading -2-.
M61-0012
– With the aid of a screwdriver, guide the long tensioning belt -1- through the securing strap of the convertible roof padding -2- and pull out. To do this, place screwdriver in hole of long tensioning strap and pull out long tensioning strap in -direction of arrow-.
M61-0152
– Place long tensioning strap -2- behind short tensioning strap -1-.
– Align securing holes of both tensioning straps to each other.
– Secure both tensioning belts to frame with a pop rivet -3-.
Note:
Observe correct seat of tensioning belts (as shown in figure).
– Open convertible roof to half open position.
M61-0153

Thanks for your help. We took a break and went back at it and remembered where we had to put it back together. This was the 3rd Saturday we worked on it. We had to order so many small parts from VW like ball sockets and the joining stud and retaining clips o as one had broke and the other one was bent that held the rear window in place. The side tension cables were broke on both sides and ordered aftermarket because the OEM ones were $90 each. The 2 ball sockets, studs, clips and retaining clips for the front trim panel was $178 for OEM VW parts. But it is done except for putting seats and side panels back in.

joep1234 said:

Thanks for your help. We took a break and went back at it and remembered where we had to put it back together. This was the 3rd Saturday we worked on it. We had to order so many small parts from VW like ball sockets and the joining stud and retaining clips o as one had broke and the other one was bent that held the rear window in place. The side tension cables were broke on both sides and ordered aftermarket because the OEM ones were $90 each. The 2 ball sockets, studs, clips and retaining clips for the front trim panel was $178 for OEM VW parts. But it is done except for putting seats and side panels back in.

Click to expand...

You’re welcome

A 3 weekend job sounds about right, lots of moving parts! Glad to hear it’s going back together.