Top Partially Failed Today; Could Fix Be This Easy

[elgyqc]

It looks like you need the "bush"
999 924 039 00 bush
986 561 779 00 spacer sleeve
900 249 054 09 countersunk-head screw
Probably very reasonable from Porsche, or try Pelican.

[78F350]

Here's that rubber piece at Pelican. I like to keep a few on hand.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=986-561-881-00-M1253

[austinporsche]

Thanks everyone for the info. Really helps, hope I can pay it back to the forum sometime (though at only 2 years into ownership, I am more likely to be a knowledge sink rather than a source for some time still).

Based on your comments, sounds like these things fail a lot.

So a couple of questions.

I get the bushing and the head screw, but what's the spacer sleeve, and do I need a new one of those as well as the bushing (if it's metal, then probably not?).

In terms of actually replacing the bushing, is it as easy as it looks, i..e., I can replace it in-place without having to fight too much tension in the arm, or or is is more involved, e.g., do I need to remove the arm at either what looks like that pinch bolt in the middle of the arm (slide adjustment of the arm?) or the plastic screw adjustment at the end in order to press the bushing into the arm. (As one of you mentioned replacing the whole arm, it sounds like perhaps the bushing doesn't go into the arm that easily?)

Finally, maybe it's time for me to download the official maintenance manual -- as to date all I've needed to do is put gas in it, check tire pressure, replace a couple of bulbs and change the oil (and that pesky fuel filler sensor). Is there a pdf online somewhere?

[78F350]

Most likely all of the metal pieces are still good and you just need to replace the rubber part. The pinch bolt should probably be left alone, pop the ball socket off of the top frame while the top is in the 'service position'.

If your top is making bad noises it may be a cracked gear in the transmission for the top. Here's a tech article about how to replace the gear: https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/BODY_Convertible_Top_Gear_Replacement/BODY_Convertible_Top_Gear_Replacement.htm

For a PDF manual, there are eBay sellers that have it online/CD for about $5.

For most owner maintenance, the Bentley Manual https://www.amazon.com/Porsche-Boxster-Service-Manual-1997-2004/dp/083761645X is as good as the PDF version of the service manual.

[austinporsche]

Thanks.

I'll start with the bushing to get the tonneau to fully close properly, then see if I still have the noise, in which case I'll move on to the gear inside the motor.

I looked at the Pelican article, but nothing about the plastic gear part itself.

Do you have a part number or link to it at Pelican?