Folks with 03/04 factory tops, do you notice this?...

[RichRobby]

Originally Posted by grc0456

Do not use the metal ball socket. These items were made of plastic for a reason - to break if there was undue pressure on the strut - saving you from even worse damage. Buy the aftermarket plastic ones. I suggest buying a few so you have an extra on hand. Also do not operate the convertible top electronically until the socket is replaced - that strut will poke a hole in your foam drip tray.


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Good advice, thanks.
Maybe that's why I found a hole in the plastic foam when I first got the car!

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[Cbonilla]

Originally Posted by RichRobby

BEWARE. After reading this and having the same wear marks I have just removed the said tabs. I then tried the roof a couple of times and the white ball socket on the end of the hood strut broke and shot off.
Can't be sure it related but it's hell of a coincidence.
I now need to spend £70 for a replacement oem strut, however I see on ebay you can get a metal replacement socket only for £25. I think it must be an aftermarket product and not oem.

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This Is making me reconsider removing the tab - I only removed the one on the side where it had worn a hole in the top fabric. Anyone else experience this?

Carlos

[paulofto]

Like I said, I removed the tabs over a year ago. Roof has been up and down at least twice every driving day since. No issues and no tearing or bulges either. I do keep all the slide and pivot points of the roof and clamshell lubed with lithium grease and it works flawlessly.

To each his own.

[Boxtaboy]

I have been putting the top up and down a few times already, and no problems so far. I'll update if anything changes, but so far so good.

[JBauer]

No holes in my top yet but definitely bulges and ware on the inside. Removed the tabs, top goes up and down fine, clamshell closes better without them. I'm going to keep them just incase but the poke marks in the top are already smoothing out. Glad I saw this thread.

[guruuno]

My '04 Boxster has a similar "dimple", and my Dent Wizard dude tells me that it's a recall issue with specific models/years.(911, Boxster)
I can't find where, but he inform me there is a "specialist" that knows the fix in Elmwood Park, NJ.
Gonna go see him next week before the hole starts to rip through.
Anyone know how to reverse to 'push' of the dimple so it's flat again?
Even with a worst case scenario, investing in a new top, it would be a disaster to have it happen all over again if the fix was not clearly known.

[Boxtaboy]

Just take out the plastic tabs and you won’t see those dimples again. I’ve had them out all this time and have put top up down many times and no problemo. And how would a dent wizard guy know about a Porsche recall or TSB?

[grc0456]

I would feel more confident if your Top Wizard guy knew the fix

Just take the tabs out and the dimples will smooth right out. I took mine out months ago, have put the top up and down too many times to count - with no ill effects.


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[itsnotanova]

I have a question pertaining to my 03 top but it's not about those dimples. Between the second and third beam is a string that goes from one side to the other. There's a sleeve attached to the top canvas and that string sits inside that sleeve. Does anyone know how you tighten that string? The top on my wife's 03 rattles when you get up to speed. I'm pretty sure it's caused by the canvas flapping in the wind. If I push up on that area the noise will go away. You can also feel that sleeve getting beat against the canvas which in return is making the noise.

[guruuno]

The reason my Dent Wizard guy know is because he's GOD.
I've owned 75+ vehicles in my life, and have had my share of dings and heartaches.
A few months ago he was referred to me on the VWVortex forum (my '16 GTI), and he is truly a wizard. Magic. Ding gone, no trace.
Last month a 2x4 accidentally fell on my front fender (Boxster) and ripped my heart out.
He's GOD, it does not exist any longer, it's gone, no trace.
I've had others (dings and 'ding masters') over the years but none as good as Bruno.
He knows a lot about cars, knows the right people, all the scoops, etc., his opinion and references for me are worthy of consideration, so I trust his references, etc.

Moving forward, I've read through all 4 pages of this post, and want to be sure I try this (before I pay someone to do it if it is as easily resolved as stated here).
This "tab" with the screw, remove them? That's it? No negative effect whatsoever? If so, what was the purpose of it to begin with? And, has anyone experienced any negative effects from removing it?
I'll re-upload the photo for reference, to be sure.
And just peel the top back to get at it when it's slightly open?
Appreciate the help/all.

[JBauer]

Originally Posted by guruuno

The reason my Dent Wizard guy know is because he's GOD.
I've owned 75+ vehicles in my life, and have had my share of dings and heartaches.
A few months ago he was referred to me on the VWVortex forum (my '16 GTI), and he is truly a wizard. Magic. Ding gone, no trace.
Last month a 2x4 accidentally fell on my front fender (Boxster) and ripped my heart out.
He's GOD, it does not exist any longer, it's gone, no trace.
I've had others (dings and 'ding masters') over the years but none as good as Bruno.
He knows a lot about cars, knows the right people, all the scoops, etc., his opinion and references for me are worthy of consideration, so I trust his references, etc.

Moving forward, I've read through all 4 pages of this post, and want to be sure I try this (before I pay someone to do it if it is as easily resolved as stated here).
This "tab" with the screw, remove them? That's it? No negative effect whatsoever? If so, what was the purpose of it to begin with? And, has anyone experienced any negative effects from removing it?
I'll re-upload the photo for reference, to be sure.
And just peel the top back to get at it when it's slightly open?
Appreciate the help/all.

Its been 6 months for me. No problem

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by guruuno

The reason my Dent Wizard guy know is because he's GOD.
I've owned 75+ vehicles in my life, and have had my share of dings and heartaches.
A few months ago he was referred to me on the VWVortex forum (my '16 GTI), and he is truly a wizard. Magic. Ding gone, no trace.
Last month a 2x4 accidentally fell on my front fender (Boxster) and ripped my heart out.
He's GOD, it does not exist any longer, it's gone, no trace.
I've had others (dings and 'ding masters') over the years but none as good as Bruno.
He knows a lot about cars, knows the right people, all the scoops, etc., his opinion and references for me are worthy of consideration, so I trust his references, etc.

Moving forward, I've read through all 4 pages of this post, and want to be sure I try this (before I pay someone to do it if it is as easily resolved as stated here).
This "tab" with the screw, remove them? That's it? No negative effect whatsoever? If so, what was the purpose of it to begin with? And, has anyone experienced any negative effects from removing it?
I'll re-upload the photo for reference, to be sure.
And just peel the top back to get at it when it's slightly open?
Appreciate the help/all.

Been about 18 months for me and no issues.

[PaulE]

Originally Posted by itsnotanova

I have a question pertaining to my 03 top but it's not about those dimples. Between the second and third beam is a string that goes from one side to the other. There's a sleeve attached to the top canvas and that string sits inside that sleeve. Does anyone know how you tighten that string? The top on my wife's 03 rattles when you get up to speed. I'm pretty sure it's caused by the canvas flapping in the wind. If I push up on that area the noise will go away. You can also feel that sleeve getting beat against the canvas which in return is making the noise.

Woody the name of that string in the parts catalog is “Fold Placer”. I think it’s purpose is to pull that section of the top between the bows when the top goes down and folds. You can try shortening the ends of the string where it attaches to the push rails (top frame sides) but I don’t think that will help with the issue. My Fold Placer was always coming loose from those plastic ears and then one of them broke, so I removed the ears, used some small plastic washers and sewed the ends of the strings around the screw on each side. Since then they have stayed in place.

[RL911]

Reviving an old thread. The tabs discussed in this thread caused a minor hole in my top on the passenger side and notable wear, but no hole, on the driver side on my 03. People still not having any issues with the tabs removed? I’m going to take them out, no idea what they are supposed to do.

[Deserion]

I’ve had mine out since shortly after I first posted on the thread back in 2017, with no issues on the top whatsoever.

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by Deserion

I’ve had mine out since shortly after I first posted on the thread back in 2017, with no issues on the top whatsoever.

Me too. It’s bin about 7 years for me and no issues.

[grc0456]

Still no issues having removed the tabs years ago. And I have replaced my top fabric. No marks, divits, tears on the new top after 5 years.


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