Convertible Top – Black Rod Cover “A”?
 

Looking thru my copy of an online 986 owner’s manual last evening, I noted a reference to a “Black Rod Cover A" as shown in the enclosed. The reference notes that there is one of these on each side of the top.

But looking at my car, I see no such item, nor any clips or brackets or anything similar where such an item could attach. Nor are these covers shown in any obviously clear manner in my parts catalog. So it would seem that my covers have gone missing.

Could anyone whose car has these covers please snap and post a picture here, so that the rest of us can see what we are missing?

Thanks - DM

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1497454858.jpg

These can pop off pretty easily. There isn't much in the way of attachment other than some fingers that slide over the arms. They need to be removed when the top mechanism is worked on too. You really want to get these because they protect lip of the top from damage.

I had my catalog open
PN 986 561 445 02 and 986 561 446 02

Mine are also missing. On the back they have a diamond pattern and a couple of clips that attach to the arms. You can see how they fit on the parts diagram here PORSCHE OEM 97-04 Boxster Motor-Convertible/soft Top-Trim Left 98656144503

Wow! Who knew?
 

I've never seen these before - Can someone please snap a picture and post it here?

Can be seen attached @30s in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VycaMQ93NuI

Here you go:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1497786656.jpg

Aha!
 

Many thanks for this - Yup, as suspected, I have nothing which looks like this on mine.

Thanks - DM

You're welcome. At first glance, it looks to me as if they are for water routing into the foam trays, but I didn't investigate further.

Only 10-20% of the cars I get in still have those attached. I'm guessing they came off and people couldn't figure how to put them back on

I just looked at mine, and noticed that I have one on the passengers side, but not the drivers side. Nice catch.

Bringing this old thread back… My 98 boxster has this trim panel on only the right side. I was shopping around to try to find the correct one for the left side which would be part number 986-561-445-02 but the only ones that are for sale are the 986-561-445-03 (the one made for later models). I’m am completely unsure if they are different so if anyone knows for sure I’d like to know.

Due to this trim not being on the left side, the thick rubber that goes around the base of the soft top gets constantly knocked out of its track from interference with the metal arms of the mechanism. In addition the metal has recently cut through the rubber… I now know why it was necessary.

Anyway thanks! This thread was definitely still useful.http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1688000037.jpg