'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!

[pothole]

Hi Mark

Thanks - I have indeed had a look at that guide you mention. I'm also leaning towards attempting a repair myself, too. Most of the damage looks straight forward to repair. The part that concerns me is the left hand push rod connection - where the white cup attaches, the steel ball fixture looks like it is bending / pulling out, again I'm talking about this image:

[Mark_T]

On my car that ball fixture is secured by a nut from the back side of the backet. Is the nut missing or loose on yours, causing the ball to appear pulled out? The ball itself looks like an easily-replaced part.

[pothole]

Good question - how do you get a view of the other side of the bracket? From inside the car?

I've had a look at the Pelican parts repair guide and am now feeling reasonably hopeful that I at least have a chance of carrying out the repair myself. There is hope!

[Mark_T]

Um, I just realized that you don't have the canvas off, do you? I do, and I'm looking down at it from up top, with the roof in a 70% raised position. From this point, access to it is dead easy. I'm thinking you might have to peel up the back half of your top to get at it. I'm not sure though - I never tried to get at these parts with the top on because I didn't know it was broken until I took it off. Suprisingly, the top worked just fine with only one pushrod connected.

[pothole]

Yup, as you say, canvas is on. I'll have a closer look tomorrow and see whether I can get access to it. Maybe it's as simple as having worked a little loose. That would be nice!

[Mark_T]

Try service mode for starters - see if you can get access from up top that way. Try and set your roof at about the 75% raised point. It might not want to stay in place with the linkages broken so you'll have to tie the hook to the steering wheel or something (not the mirror )