Convertible top repair help please

[OldMacTech]

Bought a 97 a year ago, top only operates manually- one of the plastic ball joints was snapped. Thinking about selling it so I bought a couple of ball joints to do the repair.

Some of the pushrods and connecting structure was missing but it was in the trunk so I reassembled it with the new connectors and pushed the top button and held my breath.

First half went ok but as the top got about 2/3 to finish it got held up in the boot cover (the panel that pushed up to let the top go under it). I tried to reverse it gently to see if I could figure out the bottleneck but the top was wedged in at a slight angle. Rather than damage it, I disassembled it enough to return it to manual.

I know it's not much to go on but any ideas would help. I have a Bentley but haven't looked yet. Any DIY help on this anywhere?

Thanks.

Jb

[2003S]

You may find this useful:

Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Convertible Top Repair - 986 / 987

[OldMacTech]

Thanks, will spend some time looking at it.

[ilikeching]

I remembered reading some forum that replacing balljoint must be exact same position as before.. best way is mark it with a pen or something, maybe it helps.....

[OldMacTech]

Reviewed the DIY and that gave me a clearer picture as to how to proceed.

After looking at my box of parts it appears that on of my pushrods is missing a retainer clip. This is NOT the smaller pushrod with the plastic joint but the larger one with the larger cylinder and the metal ball joint. It has a retainer clip in the ball joint and mine is missing. I doubt I have the skills to repair it so I need to source one. So far, the other pushrods are easy to locate but not finding this pushrod.

Source for these other than the dealers? Also need the locking clips.

Thnx.

Jb