'05 hardtop installation woes
 

My '05 Boxster was at the dealership all day today getting the hardtop fitted. Evidently the soft top has to be semi removed to install the pins. It went in at 0700 and 12 hrs later still wasn't done.

My question is: Is there anyone else here who has had one fitted on an '05 or '06? I was told the newer body presents real problems. I asked if they were sure the top was for an '05/'06....yes, the part #'s match. It came straight from Stuttgart, so hard to question that end of it. Damn, I hope this doesn't go on & on here. I had hoped to take it off and on myself, but if they can't even do it, what am I to do????

I believe there are some anchors that need to be installed and it is very difficult to access the location where they go and then install them if they are not installed at the factory.

Sounds about right. From what I hear back today, they have the anchors installed but are having trouble attaching to them with the top on. It is 'supposed' to take only a 1/4 turn, but something's not cooperating. They are contacting Germany this morning........... :eek:

Maybe that’s why I rarely see 987s with hardtops. I have a 03 with a hardtop that I really enjoy. Although I am not ready to make the jump to 987 yet, when I do I was hoping to get one with a hardtop fitted. In any event, good luck and keep us posted.

I know the 986 and 987 hard tops are different, but I don't know whether the same is true for the attachment systems.

I fitted the hard top to my 986. While it was tricky for me, I don't think a good mechanic would have much difficulty if they had access to the instructions. To be honest the instructions I found for the 986 top on Renntech were superior to the Porsche service bulletin.

Perhaps you could ask the dealership for a copy of the service bulletin for the installation of the 987 top. If they don't have it, it might indicate that they are trying to figure it out as they go along.

Good luck.

When you finally get it on can you post a picture. I would be interested in seeing a 987 with the hardtop on. Haven't seen one yet.

Actually, I'm a contributing member at Renntech forums and look at all the TSB's. Some of them I've seen before they do if they reference European cars, for instance.

The TSB you refer to is dated 1-13-05 #6117 as I'm looking at it now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ardtoppins.jpg

I see they were able to install the locking pin receivers on the body (real slick and unobtrusive, I like that very much) and they are installed on the correct side. What I'm told is that they are unable to get the pins that come down through the top into these receivers to lock completely. They are supposed to turn 1/4 turn and engage the receivers.

They are in communication with Porsche in Germany. I took the car back (without hardtop installed) and I'll be in contact with them first thing Monday morning...... :confused: .

The spin lock system on the 987 looks very similar if not identical to the 986. I had a problem similar to the one that your dealer is experiencing when I picked up my hardtop. Here's the adjustment instructions I received on RennTech:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=10070&hl=hardtop

It might be worth a try.

Thanks a bunch!!!

Well, still not installed and I am getting frustrated as heck!! I sent them the suggestions from the renntech forum. Now they have ordered newbrackets top & bottom....... :confused:

I was hoping that you were reporting success, and I'm sorry to see they haven't figured it out yet. The remaining possibilities are:

1. They put the spin locks on the wrong sides. (Mine came labeled left and right, and the instructions made it clear that they weren't interchangeable.)
2. They have defective parts. However, these are not complex parts so it's hard to imagine they could be defective.
3. They damaged something in the installation process.
4. They aren't taking the suggestions provided by RennTech seriously.

If it makes you feel any better, I encountered my "issues" 300 miles from home after driving for 5 hours through intermittent thunder storms. It was 10:00 at night and the available light was poor. The seller, who was assisting me with the installation of the hardtop, was about 20 years my senior and ready to retire for the evening. Each time we attempted to install the top, the spin lock on his side came closer and closer to scratching the paint.

I was contemplating the prospect of driving home with only one side latched when we finally got it to engage. We turned both spin locks simultaneously while pushing down gently on the rear.

Good luck.

Success at last!!

It seems the '05 tops shipped with camlocks and bushings for the '04 tops right from the factory. A few days ago the Porsche factory parts site still listed '04 part numbers for the tops. As of today? The new part numbers are listed. It's estimated by the regional rep who was up here today that this problem goes through all the tops shipped, although this wasn't confirmed.

Bottom line? I'm at work tonight with a spankin new top securely attached to my car. It looks everything like I had hoped. I'll try to take pics tomorrow for you guys.

It's a duplicate of this top:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ardtop-Mou.jpg

I'll post some better ones when the lighting is better. Man, I love this top, I can tell you that much already!! Outside pics below.

Nice fit and finish inside.

A look at the attachment points in the back that were the main focus of the problems. Everything works well now, however.

Congrats
 

Car looks great. I'm glad you finally got this worked out. I'll be interested to see how you like the hardtop as the months progress. Keep us informed.

Looks good. I'm glad they finally discovered the problem.

It's interesting to compare my car to yours. It shows how the Boxster has evolved over the years.

The top looks remarkably similar!!