Convertible Top Inoperable

[schoir]

Originally Posted by greenerob

Schoir,

Thanks for the details. I should be able to figure it out now.

Regarding the noise I heard. It definitely sounded more like something separating from its mount or a cable breaking. There was no metallic grinding etc.

Rob:

Keep us posted with any progress.

Regards, Maurice.

[greenerob]

Well, I found the culprit. It turned out to be the plastic ball cup joints.

I little more background was that for a long time the passenger side of the top moved very solidly while the driverside seemed a little limp.

When I got into the car I found that the driverside ball cup joint was completely broken in half. The passenger side was just off. The pop I heard must have been that coming off.

The rubber bushings on the arm at the other end from the ball cup socket are shot.

I need to find a place to get this stuff on the cheap.

Any suggestions?

[schoir]

Originally Posted by greenerob

Well, I found the culprit. It turned out to be the plastic ball cup joints.

I little more background was that for a long time the passenger side of the top moved very solidly while the driverside seemed a little limp.

When I got into the car I found that the driverside ball cup joint was completely broken in half. The passenger side was just off. The pop I heard must have been that coming off.

The rubber bushings on the arm at the other end from the ball cup socket are shot.

I need to find a place to get this stuff on the cheap.

Any suggestions?

Rob:

The top will operate as you describe with only one pushrod connected, i.e., the other side will lag behind on the way up and lurch on the way down (because it's disconnected on that side).

The rubber bushes are part number 986.561.881.00 and list for about $4.00 each. You can get the parts for a good price at Sunset, Suncoast or Pelican Parts.

Porsche does not sell the plastic ball cups separately from the pushrod assembly. That part number (same for both sides) is 986.561.279.02 and lists for about $67 each.

Some have used the pushrod assembly from a 987 with success (Part # 987.561.279.00), because it lists for about $41. IIRC, the 987 pushrod does not require a rubber bush.

If your plastic ball cups are red, you should replace both of them and keep the one that is still intact as a spare. The red ones are more brittle and less durable than the later white ones.

If you want to buy just the plastic ball cups from a guy who has them manufactured in Europe, send me a PM and I'll send you the info.

Regards, Maurice.

[greenerob]

Thanks Maurice.

I just ordered the rod and bushing from pelican.

I popped the good one back on so I am good to go until the shipment.

[schoir]

Sounds good.

See if you can mark the point where the base of the plastic ball cup ends up on the threads of the forward end of the pushrod so that you can maintain the same overall length as the original.

The overall length of the pushrod has an effect on how that side of the leading edge of the convertible top mates up with the top horizontal part of the windshield frame.

Regards, Maurice.

[Olivier]

Hello,

Not sure to whom I'm addressing this, but I have an 03 Boxster S and one day the top just stopped working. It's in the up position, I checked the fuse for the top, it seems intact. There is no sound or anything when I press the open button.

Please help,

Olivier