Plastic Window buffeting like crazy @ 50+ mph
 

I bought a 2002 Boxster about a month ago from a dealer which had claimed they replaced the plastic window because it had cracked prior. I have driven it every single day with the top down (beautiful weather in St. Louis this year) except for today when it was balls hot, so I drove with the top up and the AC on.

Once I hit over 50mph on my way home from work, the plastic window just started buffeting like crazy, almost undriveable and was worried something might break... it was bad. Only way to relieve it was to put a little pressure on the top of the window/top

When I got home, I played around with the top in different positions, trying to see if there was somewhere that was causing play in the top. However it seems that the plastic window itself was the source of slop.

I have had the top up maybe twice before, because of light rain, and never experienced buffeting. Could this be because the plastic was getting soft due to the intense heat (well over 100 degrees) and sitting outside in my work parking lot? Or is something genuinely wrong with the plastic window?

Thanks!

Sounds like a bad window install. Not enough tension on it. It is 98 degrees here and my window vibrates a little, but no more than it does at 50 degrees.

Could also be they used a thinner ( cheaper) plastic for the replacement. There are several thicknesses and qualities available.

I drove mine day before yesterday and it was 104 in the shade. I got up to speeds of over 65 and it didn't flail about. I agree with "particlewave"... sounds like not enough tension on the back window and it's finding a "sweet spot" to cause the buffeting. The high heat may have allowed it to expand enough. I've seen extreme heat do some pretty strange things!

Definitely not enough tension on the rear portion of the top.

What's "normal" for rear window "buffet"?

Mine never seems to deflect more than 1/8 of an inch in strong winds and freeway speeds, though that's just a rough guess. On a low wind day, I don't notice any vibration at 60mph.

The Porsche version can deflect a lot (or fall out)! You cannot race with it in there! It can get stolen in the blink of an eye (there goes another $350 paycheck). FOR A PIECE OF PLASTIC? What?

Mine does not deflect much…even at 100+mph. Ahh but then, I have a modified version, as you guessed, that fits between the Roll Bar pads and Roll Bar & uses factory mounts. So the Wind Deflector PUSHES INTO the Roll Bar at higher speeds! Plus, there is NO SLOP and it is virtually Theft Free!

Not meaning to hijack thread but wanted you to know there are other/better/cheaper solutions for a Boxster out there. You know where to find me, happy to answer questions…

P.S. I have an 02 S that had same problem…just got tired of fixing it!

buffet
 

Mine prefers authentic Chinese and is especially fond of the spicier dishes.

@Homeboy; I believe he's talking about the plastic window sewn into the convertible top, not the wind deflector.

@Homeboy, 2003S is correct. I am talking about the plastic window in the pre-2003 versions in the convertible top.

Not the plastic window sewn in the top….we are talking about a Wind Deflector here. Used on bright sunny days, like today, where we can bask in the enjoyment of a drive and still converse with our passenger…a nicely shaped blonde in the passenger seat!

Makes me want to take a drive now! Darn it! I was supposed to work today…See Ya!

P.S. Just to be precise, this a piece of plexiglass that has holes in it that correspond to the holes in the Roll Bar from the factory (not all of them - that's the trick is knowing which holes to use). Because the Wind Deflector (or plexiglass, commonly referred to as plastic) is "sandwiched" in-between the Roll Bar and the Roll Bar Pads it cannot be removed easily nor will it deflect much at all - even under a heavy foot-high speed! I didn't want to get too detailed … hope that "clears it up"! Darn, now I made myself hungry and need to go eat a sandwich too! :-)

Yes..... we know you are talking about your product...... But that has nothing to do with the problem I am experiencing. I am specifically talking about the plastic window sewn into the top if it wasn't clear before.