Rough start to the new year - I need some help

[JTP]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

The strut is directly in the way of the bolt attached to the convertible top fabric-to-bulkhead attachment point.

I'm not sure why you need to remove the brace? The fabric to bulkhead attachment is a plastic clip that simply rolls onto the bulkhead. No need to remove bolts to undo the top for engine access.

[JoeFromPA]

Originally Posted by JTP

I'm not sure why you need to remove the brace? The fabric to bulkhead attachment is a plastic clip that simply rolls onto the bulkhead. No need to remove bolts to undo the top for engine access.

Thanks. I overlooked something so simple. I read this DIY: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/03-BASICS-Air_Filter/03-BASICS-Air_Filter.htm

And thought he was saying to unbolt plastic where the yellow arrows point (i.e. take off the nuts). This is why I stopped working for the evening....

[JTP]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

This is why I stopped working for the evening....

Don't you just hate it when fatigue makes the simplest tasks seem impossible?

The car was trying to tell you to go have a good time on New Year's Eve instead of working on the car.

[jcb986]

Actually the Boxster is not that hard for a DIY to manage the regular maintenance. Check out Pedro's Garage and Mike Fockes for DIY info.

http://pedrosgarage.com/Site/Technolab.html

http://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/mikesporscheboxsterwebpages

[JoeFromPA]

Yeah, considering my likely use of 7500 miles a year (give or take), it's going to be a piece of cake to manage for years on end. I'm currently working on the 60k mile service, fluid replacements of most types, and the motor mount.

JTP - when I pulled down on the plastic piece, it literally fell out of it's clips. Convertible top now in service position

All - Looks like the torque spec on the motor mount is 34-48 lb/ft. I soaked them in penetrating lube, but using an open ended wrench I got no movement.

My car has not really been driven in salt, so there is very little corrosion underneath. Did everyone else's 15mm nuts simply break loose with ease?