A couple of years back we replaced both of our seals with ones from West
Coast Meterics (you can buy from several vendors depending on where you are
located) and it turned out to be a very simple job.    The first thing that
I would do is take off the luggage carrier and clean under it as I was
surprised at the amount of stuff that had accumulated.    Be careful with
the nuts at the rear as the bolts they are attached to are only held in the
roof with some type of sealer and if they come loose and fall down thru the
roof, you then have to remove the inside headliner of the cab area.    Put a
couple of coats of wax on the roof area under the luggage carrier before
reassembling.     The seals need no adhesive and they just press in place as
they have metal clips inbedded in them that do the job of holding them
secure.    The only other thing that I did was to put some extra sealant
around the rear bolts to help seal them better and to hold them in place.

Janette & Dick Smith
85 Westfalia--Sally Ann
Norwich, NY
----- Original Message -----
From: Alan J. Flint <ajflint@ITSA.UCSF.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, August 30, 1999 8:24 AM
Subject: Basic question - poptop seals

> Hello list:
>         Long time reader, first time poster.
>         On Saturday, I bought my first bus, a 1987 Syncro Camper GL with
> 77K miles.  In addition to changing all of the fluids, plugs, and filters,
> it looks like I have to replace the poptop seal before our first camping
> trip.  The seal is falling off in many places and it is all dry and
> crumbly where it meets the top, so I don't think that just re-attaching
> will work well.
>         I think there are a couple of seals available.  Is there a big
> difference in fit and quality between the official VW seal and
> aftermarket.  Can I get the OE seal at an aftermarket price?  What do you
> recommend for adhesive?
>
> Thanks in advance.  I will have more questions to follow.
>
> Alan.
>