Hardtop install adjustment question - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Marksman · 01-02-2021, 10:55 AM

I installed a spin lock set on my 2001 S. The hardtop fits fine in front and the passenger side. The driver side latch however will not close, it goes 1/3 of the way and hits something hard. Do I have to adjust the bracket above the latch bold under the plastic cover? The passenger side latch closes smoothly. Drove the car, everything seems perfect, just want to be able to close the latch on the driver's side. Appreciate some input before I start adjusting the bracket. Thanks

KevinH1990 · 01-02-2021, 11:02 AM

It has been a long time since I installed my spin locks. If I recall correctly, its possible to install them backwards. I recommend that you check that first. If you confirm that you installed it correctly, then start checking other possibilities.

Marksman · 01-02-2021, 11:11 AM

I agree, that thought crossed my mind. I have to remove the top to look a the spin locks again to make sure, but thought that I verified that when I installed the spin locks.
I just noticed that the bracket on the passenger side is positioned differently than the one on the driver side. Thanks

Marksman · 01-02-2021, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

It has been a long time since I installed my spin locks. If I recall correctly, its possible to install them backwards. I recommend that you check that first. If you confirm that you installed it correctly, then start checking other possibilities.

I re-checked the spin locks and they appear to be the same. If not let me know. Thanks

KevinH1990 · 01-02-2021, 02:49 PM

I suggest that you compare your work to this photo on the Pelican web site: https://cdn4.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/69-BODY-Hardtop_Installation/images_small/Pic2.jpg

If it is identical, then you may have another problem. For example, is it possible that you over-tightened the shoulder bolt that holds the insert in place? That might cause the shape to distort and make it difficult for the lock to turn.

Marksman · 01-02-2021, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

I suggest that you compare your work to this photo on the Pelican web site: https://cdn4.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/69-BODY-Hardtop_Installation/images_small/Pic2.jpg

If it is identical, then you may have another problem. For example, is it possible that you over-tightened the shoulder bolt that holds the insert in place? That might cause the shape to distort and make it difficult for the lock to turn.

The locks are in correctly, but I remember that the driver's side bolt did not go in as far as the passenger side one. I then tightened it with more effort and made it almost touch the outer panel skin. This maybe the problem. I guess I will have to open up the driver's side again and back the bolt out by an eighth to a quarter inch. Thanks for that tip.

Marksman · 01-02-2021, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marksman

The locks are in correctly, but I remember that the driver's side bolt did not go in as far as the passenger side one. I then tightened it with more effort and made it almost touch the outer panel skin. This maybe the problem. I guess I will have to open up the driver's side again and back the bolt out by an eighth to a quarter inch. Thanks for that tip.

I removed the side panel and backed the bolt out a few turns. The clamp spread is now equal to the passenger side. Everything is back in place with the same result. The driver side lever only goes back only half way. It is all tight, I will just drive it for now. Is there anything else I can do (adjust the bracket?).

PaulE · 01-02-2021, 06:55 PM

There is a sort of screw spiral groove in the spinlock as I recall. The perpendicular pin through the attachment point of the hardtop rotates through it to pull the hardtop down as the lever is turned.
Backing off the tightening of the retaining screw may have allowed the upper part of the spinlock to expand but not the spiral groove or maybe all the way down into the spinlock. Maybe you can remove the spinlock and see if it can go onto the hardtop attachment point with the lever turning freely all the way? It's probably more work than you want to do, but that's all I've got. If you don't want to do that, maybe put a thin punch down into the spinlock and see if you can lever it to open up the spinlock a bit more, and/or some grease on the attachment point before putting it into the spinlock and see if that helps. I've been in the same boat having to do things a few times to get them right on some of my projects!

Marksman · 01-03-2021, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulE

There is a sort of screw spiral groove in the spinlock as I recall. The perpendicular pin through the attachment point of the hardtop rotates through it to pull the hardtop down as the lever is turned.
Backing off the tightening of the retaining screw may have allowed the upper part of the spinlock to expand but not the spiral groove or maybe all the way down into the spinlock. Maybe you can remove the spinlock and see if it can go onto the hardtop attachment point with the lever turning freely all the way? It's probably more work than you want to do, but that's all I've got. If you don't want to do that, maybe put a thin punch down into the spinlock and see if you can lever it to open up the spinlock a bit more, and/or some grease on the attachment point before putting it into the spinlock and see if that helps. I've been in the same boat having to do things a few times to get them right on some of my projects!

I agree, that would be the next thing to check, but I think I also need to try the latch bolt mechanism with the top off. I always assumed it was working fine but never verified. Just checked that too and the mechanism is fine. Well, the top is on solid. It does not make noise or shows gaps. I will just drive it for awhile until I am ready to take it all apart again.