Convertible top issue - Clamshell not closing completely on one side.

[Phuong]

Hello all,

I've got a strange issue with my convertible top. Recently the cables which drive the top snapped and were replaced by my mechanic. However when I got the car back I noticed that there was a bit of a rattle on the right hand side (RHD drive car) behind me every time I drove over bumpy surfaces (ie cobblestones).

On closer inspection I noticed that the clam shell on the right side of the car while seems to have fully closed, hasn't really closed completely by only about a few millimetres. I can lean on it and notice there's a lot of give compared to the left side which doesn't move in the slightest.

I took it back to the mechanic and he sorta adjusted the rubber stopper so that it was a little higher and also replaced one of the arms which was bent. This reduced the rattling from the clamshell when the top was up however when the top is down there's much more give and the rattling occurs. I'm going to take it back to the mechanic again but would appreciate some suggestions as to why this is so. The left side of the clamshell is rock solid when closed but the right side definitely allows you to wiggle it up or down.

Btw, I've got an '03 Boxster.

[Wingnut2u]

It sounds like the cables need a little fine tuning adjustment, just stay on your mechanic until he gets it right. From what I understand, it is somewhat of a PITA to get all of the cable adjustments just right.

I recently had a new top put on my 2001 S and it will be going back for some minor adjustments well.

[Phuong]

Thanks for that. Have read some of the posts on how to adjust it yourself and if all else fails I might give it a go. However I guess I'm paying the mechanic for his services right? The garage is also a Porsche exclusive one so I would hope they would figure out the issue.

[silentfrosty]

The issue could also be that the push rod on that side isn't adjusted properly.

There is a nut that you can loosen to adjust the push rod that is connected to the clamshell so the clamshell will close tighter. Without seeing it in person it is hard to tell, but it is something to check. You said it's a porsche shop, so they should of checked this already...

This is the nut/push rod I am referring to

[schoir]

Originally Posted by silentfrosty

The issue could also be that the push rod on that side isn't adjusted properly.

There is a nut that you can loosen to adjust the push rod that is connected to the clamshell so the clamshell will close tighter. Without seeing it in person it is hard to tell, but it is something to check. You said it's a porsche shop, so they should of checked this already...

This is the nut/push rod I am referring to

The pushrod in the photo only acts on the canvas portion of the top.

The pushrod that acts on the clamshell is the black "hydraulic" pushrod.

Regards, Maurice.

[Sumflow]

When the cables which drive the top snapped the clam shell probably got twisted, or when you tried to put it up. This happens to people who use the one-touch automatic top.

[silentfrosty]

Originally Posted by schoir

The pushrod in the photo only acts on the canvas portion of the top.

The pushrod that acts on the clamshell is the black "hydraulic" pushrod.

Regards, Maurice.

my bad lol. Mine has been disconnected so long I guess I forgot which goes where :-/

[2003S]

It honestly sounds like the two transmissions are just out of sync a bit; you can unhook the cable from one, and briefly press the button to move the top, get them aligned (use a tape measure to verify they are at the same location; Wayne's book has a good write up on how to adjust the clamshell / top transmissions.

1) unhook the cable from one side of the convertible top motor, and turn it with a drill (or just use the top button to turn the still connected one)


2) repeat until they are the same height:


Oh, and Buy Wayne's book!

[Phuong]

Just an update on it. I got it back from the mechanic and he's told me that the right side is out of alignment because several parts may be slightly bent. This may be due to something that had happened when the top had originally broken down due to one of the cables snapping. I had inadvertantly tried raising the top where one side would raise and the other didn't. I may have caused the damage and misalignment then.

He's managed to remove most of the ability of the clamshell to wiggle when the top is down, however when it is up, the right side still has a bit of play. I have adjusted the hexagonal stopper on the right hand side so that the clamshell pretty much lowers to the same level on the right to match the left however you can still wiggle it once it is down. Therefore I don't think it's an alignment issue but another part which holds the clamshell rigid when it is closed.

Thanks for the suggestion about the pushrod. I think that may help.