Same old top vs channel problem - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

flouese · 12-22-2020, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulE

If you don't have those velcro straps as shown in picture 1 of Mike Focke's article, it is possible that a previous owner just removed them and threw them away when they became detached from the top. My car is a 2003, I'm the original owner, and several years ago they came unsewn from the convertible top, so I re-sewed them back on. I can easily see someone saying "What are these? They're not doing anything, so I might as well get rid of them."

I happened to see this Youtube video posted in a Boxster Facebook group the other day. It is for a 987 but the guy says the 986 is similar. If you haven't seen it yet, maybe it will help. Only other thought I have is do you have the issue on both sides of the top? If not, maybe you can compare the working side to the problem side.

This is a brand new aftermarket top. The only velcro strap is the one shown in the picture. I do not know what the 4" piece of material is for or where it connects to.

The instructions did not cover this issue. I've seen this video, but it has the piece of material and a place to fasten it to the rail (screw), no help. HELP, PLEASE!

10/10ths · 12-22-2020, 02:35 PM

You did NOT say it was aftermarket in your original post.

You need to contact the top company.

Our posts were for Porsche OEM tops.

986bsdriver · 12-22-2020, 02:54 PM

Mine is aftermarket just like the posters. It’s parked now and pretty cold in my garage so I’ll be looking to fix it sometime before springs. Actually took my a while to figure out my top was aftermarket as I thought it got swapped out for an OEM glass back when I first bought it. Even the previous owner of 10+ years didn’t know at the time but knew of the issue

flouese · 12-22-2020, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10/10ths

You did NOT say it was aftermarket in your original post.

You need to contact the top company.

Our posts were for Porsche OEM tops.

My apologies I assumed a top was a top. Forgive my ignorance. Not sure what good vontavting the company will do. I am not taking it off. I guess I will keep reaching around and setting it in place.

PaulE · 12-22-2020, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flouese

My apologies I assumed a top was a top. Forgive my ignorance. Not sure what good vontavting the company will do. I am not taking it off. I guess I will keep reaching around and setting it in place.

I think you'd be able to figure something out if you can find someone with a properly functioning OEM 97- 99 or 2002 top and compare what they have to what you have. You could then figure out what needs to be added and where.

Jgkram · 12-23-2020, 04:18 AM

Here are the photos I promised. Probably will not help much and I apologize for the quality. My top was also an aftermarket top from AutoTops Direct. It took me about three days to remove and install but i took my time. I have to say it fit like a glove with really no issues at all and it did include the strap which my OEM did not have. The OEM used simple Velcro straps around the frame to guide the cable. As 10/10ths states I would contact the top manufacturer and see how they recommend solving this issue. Without those straps I don't see how you can consistently get your cable to fit inside the frame like it should. Good luck...

Jgkram · 12-23-2020, 04:20 AM

Sorry, here is the second photo. Not sure why it turned them sideways!

flouese · 01-06-2021, 09:29 AM

I contacted the seller and told them the top (not OEM) I purchased did not have the helper straps as the installation instructions pictured. They replied they will contact the manufacturer. I do not have much faith that they will come back with anything helpful.

Does anyone know how to retrofit (location, length) the straps on the installed top without having to remove it? Or am I forever having to manually guide the top into the channel?