Replacing the convertible top ball goints, but the rod is dent
 

Hi,
I have a 2007 Boxster, the convertible top stopped working last year and I'm trying to fix it now.
The plastic push rod ball joints broke on both sides. I have removed them and I picked up replacements. But unfortunately the metal rod on the drivers side looks to be bent. See the image,I drew in red where it is bent (compared to the one on to the passenger side).

Can anyone suggest a way to straighten it out? Grab it with a pair of wrenches maybe?


https://ibb.co/gghDmRv

You might get it straightened using a vise. But a replacement isn't that expensive. You'll know a new one is correct while you have to assume you can get your bent one back to original. If it's a bit off, your top travel will be a bit off, which isn't good.

I had to replace an arm on a Wheeler Dealer 09 Box S a few yrs ago. Ordered a new one and put it on. The clamshell wasn't closing properly - it was off just a bit. Took the new rod off and compared it to the opposite side. The rod I didn't replace was bent also. Ordered a 2nd rod, put it on, and the clamshell closed perfectly.

What I would do, put a couple of nuts on the threaded part to protect the threads, place unthreaded part of the rod in a vise. It will likely take a hammer to have an effect. I tried to do this a couple of years ago.
Better idea, buy a used one... I just did this since my effort to straighten the rod didn't work. It would seem that if the rods are not very close to the original shape they pop off.