2002 Boxster s convertible top question

[tonythetiger]

My 3rd boxster is a 2002 boxster s with the glass back top.
need a sanity check, cuz when I try to put the top in service mode and access the engine bay, I cannot articulate the top out of the way...(ive done this 100 times on my other cars and it just works) this one,I cannot figure out why the top doesn't move out of the way...it looks fine closed, opens fine...everything looks normal.
I'm starting to think something is bent or is there a different trick for the glass back?

UPDATE:
Let me add to this post rather then start a new one...The aftermarket top isn't closing properly, picture below. What to do for fix?

[BoxsterSteve]

Does the car have a replacement glass windowed roof on its original 3-bow frame?
They’re a PITA to work around.

[tonythetiger]

Originally Posted by BoxsterSteve

Does the car have a replacement glass windowed roof on its original 3-bow frame?
They’re a PITA to work around.

IDK if it is original or replacement. I thought the 2002 came with a glassback. It is the original frame, pretty sure, but the top already looks aged, so I am surprised if the top isnt original also.

[10/10ths]

You have an aftermarket top.

OEM glass window appeared in 2003.

[tonythetiger]

Originally Posted by 10/10ths

You have an aftermarket top.

OEM glass window appeared in 2003.

alright, thanks. Is it common that an aftermarket top is difficult to work around...not get out of the way in service mode?
any tricks out there?
I am only getting about 5 inches of movement and cannot get to the engine.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by tonythetiger

alright, thanks. Is it common that an aftermarket top is difficult to work around...not get out of the way in service mode?
any tricks out there?
I am only getting about 5 inches of movement and cannot get to the engine.

That's the best you're going to get, and plenty of posts about it here. I've read that with the glass window simply remove a few fasteners from the clamshell and the top... and fold everything back straight. That should fix the accessibility challenge.

Before you start removing clips... pins... fasteners... make sure you remove them properly. I learned the hard way, and when I went to reinstall... had a few fasteners that had lost their efficacy. That was a visit to the dealer for $5 worth of fasteners... including spares.

Remove the fasteners... and report back!

[tonythetiger]

Originally Posted by Starter986

That's the best you're going to get, and plenty of posts about it here. I've read that with the glass window simply remove a few fasteners from the clamshell and the top... and fold everything back straight. That should fix the accessibility challenge.

Before you start removing clips... pins... fasteners... make sure you remove them properly. I learned the hard way, and when I went to reinstall... had a few fasteners that had lost their efficacy. That was a visit to the dealer for $5 worth of fasteners... including spares.

Remove the fasteners... and report back!

thanks, I will and hopefully help someone else.
Appreciate the feedback

[Geof3]

Interesting, as I own an 02 with vinyl, fortunately still in great shape. So what causes this issue? Is the window, being glass, simply getting in the way? Seems it makes more sense to go big and swap the system for an 03+ when the time comes?

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by Geof3

Is the window, being glass, simply getting in the way?

Basically, yes. Since the 3-bow frame is meant for the plastic window, the glass makes it more difficult to fold up.

Originally Posted by Geof3

Seems it makes more sense to go big and swap the system for an 03+ when the time comes?

If you're able to, I highly recommend it. You'd end up with a larger glass window on top of being able to fold it up easily. Plus the glass has the Porsche script on it so you can stare at it in the rearview, heh.