Minor top issue on the 987 (maybe 986) - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

SD987 · 08-30-2005, 02:17 PM

Living in San Diego and driving as much as I do, I would assume that I put the top-up and down with above-average frequency. That being said, the car developed an issue over the last month or so where a plasticky brushing sound could be heard when the clamshell disengaged from the body. I never paid attention to it because it developed over time until I got to the golf course yesterday (about a mile away from work) and I was ready to take the clubs out of the back. There was a two foot length of plastic sticking out of the clamshell (top down).

Turns out there are lengths of this weatherproofing/buffer plastic running along the leading edge of the clamshell and this was sticking out. I raised the roof to the service position (halfway up) and pushed the plastic back on, fortunately only the plastic was mildly mangled. However some trial raising and lowering revealed that each time the plastic was being rubbed back off again.

Took it to the dealer who managed to fix it in about five minutes...Turns out that the lengths of plastic were getting caught on the rear brake light. Reason I'm posting is that I took a look at the attachment of the lengths to the clamshell and they're not strong and the problem may be common to the 987. So I would suggest to any 987 owners that if the top makes any brushing sound at all when being engaged or disengaged to have a look back there (the fixed top is pretty much silent), as I would imagine the dangling strip could either get mangled or worse yet get caught in something back there.

eslai · 08-30-2005, 04:29 PM

Can you take a picture of the area you're talking about? I think I know what you're talking about but I can't be 100% sure.

SD987 · 09-14-2005, 11:44 AM

The strips on the leading edge of the clamshell (above where the plug is sticking out)...there's one on each side.

eslai · 09-14-2005, 01:00 PM

Thanks! I'll keep my eye on that.

Now, something for all of you too--I notice that there is a string/rope on each side of the top that are occasionally getting caught up outside of my car when I put the top up. They're right next to the first hinged portion of the roof, over the windows. I'll try to get a picture up for y'all, but you might check it out yourself:

Open your top part way and look at that first hinged area. Inside the top you'll see two gray braided cords. Those are the ones I'm talking about.

09-14-2005, 02:09 PM

Eslai, I'm not sure, but the grey braided cords/strings that I am familar with, should have been removed upon dealer prep. These are used to attach the protective coverings during delivery/shipping. Just a guess. I am probably 100% wrong.

SD987 · 09-15-2005, 11:55 AM

Eslai, I assume that these are what you're talking about. You may want to go over to the dealer for an adjustment as mine are very taut, with no play.

eslai · 09-16-2005, 03:43 PM

Those are EXACTLY what I'm talking about and mine are totally loose. Thanks!

When i had them chasing down a rattle in my car once they did say they messed with the top, maybe they took something apart and didn't put it back together again.

eslai · 09-28-2005, 04:45 PM

Update:

I took the car to the dealer and they said that they'd seen the loose string/cables thing a lot already.

My paperwork says the following:

Customer states: String is coming loose at both sides of cabtop material.

Cause: Loose cabtop tension rope

1 987-561-773-00 Tension cord. wrinkl <-- part number?

Of course, they replaced it for free.

SD987 · 10-09-2005, 10:26 PM

Had a reoccurence of the issue that started this thread. Fixed myself this time. Important to note that the fix is not to try and push the plastic strip back onto the frame (red arrow), the fix is to slide the plastic strip away from the center (green arrow). Have a feeling I'll be doing this every couple of months.

I would reiterate that a properly working top is nearly silent, and if there is a brushing noise when the clamshell moves away from the body and rejoins it, then you should go back there and see why.

eslai · 10-17-2005, 03:13 PM

Wow, so you're not going to make the dealer fix this for you permanently? I haven't had this problem at all and I've had the top up and down quite a bit for the past 8000 miles.

Sounds like the rubber seal might be shaped funny--if the dealer just replaces that, maybe all will be well.

SD987 · 10-17-2005, 03:41 PM

Well, the first time I hoped for a permanent fix, but since that's not the case I'll probably have them address it during my first service (even though that's a ways off). It hasn't reached the annoyance level that it takes to overcome the greater annoyance level of having to involuntarily visit the dealer.