Bellows replacement

[ianevans]

We have a 2007 T5 and it is time to consider replacing the roof bellows. We are based in Shropshire and wonder if anyone has a recommendation as to which dealer or California shop we should contact to get this work done. Ideally in the Midlands if possible. Any idea how much we could be looking at?

Thank you!
Ian

 

[Alied]

We have a 2007 T5 and it is time to consider replacing the roof bellows. We are based in Shropshire and wonder if anyone has a recommendation as to which dealer or California shop we should contact to get this work done. Ideally in the Midlands if possible. Any idea how much we could be looking at?

Thank you!
Ian

If you’re good at diy and want to do it yourself look at this video.

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www.timetoride.de

 

[ThomasHJ]

We have a 2007 T5 and it is time to consider replacing the roof bellows. We are based in Shropshire and wonder if anyone has a recommendation as to which dealer or California shop we should contact to get this work done. Ideally in the Midlands if possible. Any idea how much we could be looking at?

Thank you!
Ian

My guess would be it'll cost around 850 pounds including labour.

 

[Cali2013]

We want new bellows fitting too., understand it’s not gonna be a cheap do but wanted to use a dealer in the midlands who’d got a decent track record for this work.
I was thinking Listers Van & Truck in Coventry

 

[barry]

Bodyshop of VW Van Centre in Glasgow charged fractionally under £100 including VAT for the labour only, they told me nearly 2 years ago. If the part-time man who did this was not on site (ie for one of the VW corrosion warrenty roof jobs) it would be slightly higher, they said.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Bodyshop of VW Van Centre in Glasgow charged fractionally under £100 including VAT for the labour only, they told me nearly 2 years ago. If the part-time man who did this was not on site (ie for one of the VW corrosion warrenty roof jobs) it would be slightly higher, they said.

Does this mean it would take about Three quarters of an hour to fit a new bellows? If so that’s pretty good going...

 

[barry]

Does this mean it would take about Three quarters of an hour to fit a new bellows? If so that’s pretty good going...

it's certainly a very straightforward task with the right tool(s) and knowledge, that's a fact.

 

[soppelsa]

Me and wife did ours 4 hrs.
The hardest part was removing the bottom seal.

 

[Alied]

Me and wife did ours 4 hrs.
The hardest part was removing the bottom seal.

View attachment 85678

Did you use any sealant?

 

[soppelsa]

no,I bought some silka flex clear.
But there was no evidence of any sealant and judging by the difficulty I had removing the old seal I did not think it necessary.
I had an old T5.1 bellows,the replacement is far superior.
The new bellows have pencil mark on the sides near the corners .
align them up first.

 

[ianevans]

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[Nolan]

What tools are needed? Is there a VW part of more of a generic 'spudger' for locating the rubber edge without damaging anything?

I still have ideas about replacing my bellows with the front opening version.

 

[soppelsa]

Just used my thumbs with a couple of old fashioned pink plasters wrapped around each one.
The bellows come as the fully opening front version,that is the new replacement £658.31p

 

[soulstyledevon]

What tools are needed? Is there a VW part of more of a generic 'spudger' for locating the rubber edge without damaging anything?

I still have ideas about replacing my bellows with the front opening version.

Its worth having a look at the video above.
Doesn’t look overly difficult.

 

[Nolan]

Its worth having a look at the video above.
Doesn’t look overly difficult.

Ah thanks, I just watched it with translated comments.

I would have thought using some fairly liquid or similar would help get the new rubber into the channel, assuming this was done when it's warm and it can dry out before being used in anger.

Would be interesting to see how many vans have sealant and how many were fitted dry, like

soppelsa above.​

 

[CALI FATE]

Old thread but relevant to me please - 2016 Beach owner - lives in Cheltenham

My van and bellows is 7 years old and has a split between the canvas and the rubber / plastic ring where the material hinges to close / open the roof - i have looked into a repair but i am inclined to fit a new bellows - and maybe include the panoramic zip option

Do they offer a panoramic option on the manual roof / beach ?

I have watched the german video of the chap who replaced his own bellows - has anyone on the forum done it themselves ? - it looks fairly straightforward - he didnt use any adhesive / glue.

Is there a VW dealer that has regular experience of fitting bellows that people are aware of ? Would Breeze be a good option because they are involved in the corrosion repair work

It looks like the bellows is around £650.00 inc VAT - has anyone found a source other than the VW UK dealers

Please excuse the dust on the pic - just back from 3 months island hopping in Greece when pic taken

 

[paul_f]

The new canvas from VW should have the panoramic opening. If you wait a bit, you might even get the 2023 canvas that is double layer.

I replaced mine myself, the worst bit was removing the old without damaging it as I wanted to sell it on.

There was a German site that had instructions, I have a translated version in a pdf I can email to you if you PM me.

 

[CALI FATE]

Cool thanks great advice I can wait til next summer and do a temp patch job - yes pls email me the pdf - sixwayshall@+++++.com
Like the idea of double canvas

 

[CannonDale]

no,I bought some silka flex clear.
But there was no evidence of any sealant and judging by the difficulty I had removing the old seal I did not think it necessary.
I had an old T5.1 bellows,the replacement is far superior.
The new bellows have pencil mark on the sides near the corners .
align them up first.

did your new bellows have the front window

 

[CALI FATE]

Hi - still doing the legwork on this one - any help please
I have spoken to Listers Droitwich about buying a new set of bellows for my Beach - apparently they are not allowed to give out part numbers ??

The chap has confirmed that i can buy a bellows that is correct for my vehicle number plate in grey for £ 662.80 incl VAT - but he cant confirm if the roof will be the more up to date material or if the roof has the front opener or the panoramic option.

I asked him to check if the Beach roof he was quoting me for had the same part number as an Ocean roof - and he said it was slightly different.

Does anyone know where i can check things -

Will an ocean bellows fit correctly onto a manual beach roof ?
If so what is is the part number for the bellows in the new material and with the panoramic

Many thanks

 

[Alied]

Hi - still doing the legwork on this one - any help please
I have spoken to Listers Droitwich about buying a new set of bellows for my Beach - apparently they are not allowed to give out part numbers ??

The chap has confirmed that i can buy a bellows that is correct for my vehicle number plate in grey for £ 662.80 incl VAT - but he cant confirm if the roof will be the more up to date material or if the roof has the front opener or the panoramic option.

I asked him to check if the Beach roof he was quoting me for had the same part number as an Ocean roof - and he said it was slightly different.

Does anyone know where i can check things -

Will an ocean bellows fit correctly onto a manual beach roof ?
If so what is is the part number for the bellows in the new material and with the panoramic

Many thanks

The part numbers are listed in the link I posted in the second post although it's not for the new type of material.

 

[Alied]

Hi - still doing the legwork on this one - any help please
I have spoken to Listers Droitwich about buying a new set of bellows for my Beach - apparently they are not allowed to give out part numbers ??

The chap has confirmed that i can buy a bellows that is correct for my vehicle number plate in grey for £ 662.80 incl VAT - but he cant confirm if the roof will be the more up to date material or if the roof has the front opener or the panoramic option.

I asked him to check if the Beach roof he was quoting me for had the same part number as an Ocean roof - and he said it was slightly different.

Does anyone know where i can check things -

Will an ocean bellows fit correctly onto a manual beach roof ?
If so what is is the part number for the bellows in the new material and with the panoramic

Many thanks

Diagram for manual roof. https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs/vw/RDW/CAMP/871/8/875/875011

 

[WelshGas]

Hi - still doing the legwork on this one - any help please
I have spoken to Listers Droitwich about buying a new set of bellows for my Beach - apparently they are not allowed to give out part numbers ??

The chap has confirmed that i can buy a bellows that is correct for my vehicle number plate in grey for £ 662.80 incl VAT - but he cant confirm if the roof will be the more up to date material or if the roof has the front opener or the panoramic option.

I asked him to check if the Beach roof he was quoting me for had the same part number as an Ocean roof - and he said it was slightly different.

Does anyone know where i can check things -

Will an ocean bellows fit correctly onto a manual beach roof ?
If so what is is the part number for the bellows in the new material and with the panoramic

Many thanks

I gather Beach and SE/Ocean roofs have differing opening heights front and rear so the bellows for one won't fit the other.
The site link posted by @Alied will give the correct part number for your vehicle + any variations , windows etc.

 

[CALI FATE]

Diagram for manual roof. https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs/vw/RDW/CAMP/871/8/875/875011

Many thanks - that confirms the part number for the replacement Beach bellows - do you know if its the same part number for the ocean bellows -

Does anyone know if the ocean bellows is a straight swap for the Beach roof ? The chap at listers didnt know and suggested i call VW customer services

Thanks

 

[Alied]

Many thanks - that confirms the part number for the replacement Beach bellows - do you know if its the same part number for the ocean bellows -

Does anyone know if the ocean bellows is a straight swap for the Beach roof ? The chap at listers didnt know and suggested i call VW customer services

Thanks

Manual roof:

Dark grey: 7E8 875 059 C IU7

Light grey: 7E8 875 059 C UV8

Blue: 7E8 875 059 C UR7

Red: 7E8 875 059 C UW9



Electrohydraulic roof:

Dark grey: 7E7 875 059 K IU7

Light grey: 7E7 875 059 K UV8

Blue: 7E7 875 059 K UR7

Red: 7E7 875 059K UW9