'97 986 Boxster - broken roof / soft top.

[Mark_T]

I'm just in the middle of replacing my MY99 canvas top, so I'm pretty familiar with those pictures of parts you've posted, and if you're reasonably handy, you should be able to order the parts and fix it yourself.

The reason I'm halfway through is because I found the plastic head snapped off the push rod when I peeled the canvas back, and now I'm waiting for the parts so that I can fix it and get the top back together.

You should read Mike Focke's guide to top replacement. It has lots of great pictures and if you read through the procedure, it will give an understanding of how the whole thing works. How to make the repair will become obvious.

For some different pics and a slightly different slant on the job, check out the Pelican Parts tech article on top replacement. Then order as many of the parts as you can from them and save yourself some cash.

It will help if you can find a parts catalog for your car online somewhere so that you know the part numbers of what you want to order. Don't forget to get two new rubber pivot bushings for the pushrod linkages. (Part #986-561-881-00-M100) You'll probably need new clamping rails (986.561.560.1 & 986.561.559.01) and four plastic retaining pins for them (986.561.597.00). This whole lot comes to about $40. I don't know about that pivot arm that's broken as mine was all right, but replacing the push rod will run you about $70 a side for the genuine Porsche part.

Hope this helps a bit. Good luck!