Pressed the button to release the roof and ...
 

... the assembly that holds the roof sensor, alarm sensors and vanity light just came down and hung by its wires.

I purchased this 1998 2.5, 73,000 miles, back in December for a lot less than it is worth and now I know why!

I live in the UK but I am sure someone on here has had a similar problem.

The two countersunk screws that hold this assembly into the chassis were missing. I obtained two more from my local Porsche dealership and tried to fit them, but there are no retaining nuts inside the chassis to take the screws.

Somehow before he sold me the car, the salesman has managed to secure this piece to the car without it falling off, as he demonstrate putting the roof up and down several times.

So I took both sun visors off, removed the panel to reveal the chassis, and there is no way I can see how I can replace the retaining nuts.

When I tried to put the sun visors back on, two of the screws would not go back in, so now that is broken too.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Looking at the nuts it looks like they have split and are just rattling around inside the surrounding chassis.

Any help would be appreciated guys.

This is not as bad as you might think ... or well it could be depending on your view. The only way to replace the nuts on the visor and possibly the center console is to remove the windshield and replace the retaining plates that include the actual nuts. Each visor side only costs about $12. I'm going to replace my windshield and during the process replace these plates.

However, in my research I found a recommendation to use a nutsert to fix the problem. I have a PDF on it. I can mail it to you later if you need it. I found it after a long time searching for a resolution. But in any case, the nutsert method does not require windshield removal.

Here's a DIY in PDF form: here

I haven't done this personally but found it mentioned on RennTech here. Good luck!

See my attachment in this thread:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/34157-help-removing-pillars-trims.html#post280511

Couple of hours and you will solve problem permanently.

Good luck :)

Thanks everyone, indeed not as bad as I thought. Someone in work did mention that it may require removal of the windshield, but also good to know that I can use a nutsert.

I will report back on what happens.

I did use nutsert and it work perfect.
Easy and cheap job

later
Chris

OK all sorted and I now have a car that I can finally relax with.

Well nearly!

I could not get all of the old brass nuts out, and some of them I lost when trying to get them out.

In all of the frenzy to get the bits out I made one of the holes too big. It is one of the two that is in the center console. The nutsert still went in, but it is loose. It still takes the screw ok and its not coming down, but still needs further work. Fortunately the other one was ok and is taking most of the load.

So at least I can now open and close the roof without a problem, but I will need to think of a solution for this one hole.

So for anyone who views this in the future with the same problem, be careful when trying to prize the old nuts out.

Seeing as you live in Milton Keynes, couldn't you just take the Boxster down to the Red Bull F1 facility and have the lads down there look at it? :)

Yes I could have, or Silverstone Porsche is also not far away from here. :D

But the Porsche shop will charge you up the nose, while the Red bull crew might do it for a few pints at the local pub. :)