Closing the roof

[elliotw]

Hi

I have a Gen I 987.

Whenever I close my roof, I notice that on the passenger side, part of the fabric seems to hang outside the two hard plastic connecting tabs that join the roof to the window. For a while I didn't actually notice this problem, however I did experience greater difficulty in clipping the handle at the top of the windscreen when doing the final step of closing the roof.

In any case, the problem with the fabric falling outside can be corrected by re-opening the roof and manually pushing the fabric in.

I just went to take a picture of the problem - and lo and behold, it worked totally fine when I opened and closed the roof (that feeling when you are having a problem with your computer, call tech support and it suddenly works fine)! In any case, attached is a photo (of a generic Boxster rather than mine) of where the problem occurs if the description is unclear.

Maybe the problem has now gone away and is temperature related (?), but any tips on how I can fix this without having to manually push the fabric in every time I close the roof?

Thanks

E

 

[keiththo]

I have got exctly the problem you descibe on my 2008 Boxster, I have owned the car since July 2011 but only noticed the problem in the past few weeks. Not sure if it's temperature related but if so I hope it goes away as the weather improves.

 

[Dylan1]

i have exactly the same problem though intermittent like yours -only started last few weeks-i have to reopen it then close it while pushing the fabric in with my right hand while pressing the button with my left[]
sure its not very good for my back and jolly irritating so i shall mention when next at the OPC

best wishes
dylan

 

[pjwakefield]

Also have this on mine , but haven't noticed any problems, maybe open the roof half way then look at the attachments might need some needle work on the connection to the bar

 

[Mark_Bennett]

If you open the roof part way, you can look behind where this is happening and see a velcro strap - this may have come undone.
Alternatively there is also a metal tensioner at the rear of the mechanism that may have bent too far - check the tensioners (it's a sprung flat metal piece) by comparing with the good side and you should see what is wrong. If it's the velcro do it up [] (don't do it too tight - don't want to break anything so adjust a little at a time until it works correctly) and if it's the metal bit you can simply bend it to the correct position.

 

[elliotw]

Thanks for that.

The velcro strap seems fine. I'm not sure where the metal tensioner is or whether this is the problem. Have taken another photo of the side where the problem happens. Any suggestions?

Another strange thing - if I am stationary and open the roof fully, then close it fully without driving, I don't have a problem. However, the problem happens when I open the roof, drive, then close it later on.

Thanks again.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Here is the tension spring:

 

[GOOFY]

Is this connected with the cables loosing tension ? I read somewhere that the cables in the roof need to be replaced after a while due to loss of tension - could this the same thing ?

Thx.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Any idea where you read that? It seems unlikely...

 

[GOOFY]

Hi Mark

Please see this link
https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/convertibletopedgedoesnotfallintoguidech

Says that you need to check the cables first (?).

Cheers

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: GOOFY

Hi Mark

Please see this link
https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/convertibletopedgedoesnotfallintoguidech

Says that you need to check the cables first (?).

Cheers

A very good guide!
It does mention "if it's stretched" but doesn't say it's common, or that they need replacing after a certain time. It's obviously a possibility for roof misalignment, but I don't think it implies that everyone needs to replace the cables regularly.

 

[GOOFY]

Hi Mark

I don't understand what you are implying - clearly the cables are connected with the roof apparent misalignment from this article :
" Once you have determined that your tension cable is not stretched or broken, or have replaced it if necessary, proceed as follows:" and then lists the three causes -
1. Torn or separated convertible top holding strap;
2. Insufficient finger spring tension (OR bent or broken finger spring);
3. Slider either binding OR seized (stuck in one position, does not slide back and forth).

Personally I would track down the root cause of a problem rather than compensating for it.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

That's not what I said either!

YES Check the cables are not broken - pretty easy to check! It's a similar sort of thing to say as "Make sure the frame isn't bent, and that the roof ball joints are all connected".

I had not come across the cables stretching - these are not little bicycle cables - they are pretty hefty! I'm sure it's possible, and maybe if the roof is closed under certain conditions - maybe at speed (not recommended!) or if something is in the way (it's easy to trap the flap over the mirror in the sunvisor for example) then they can be stretched. Or maybe there was a bad batch or something.

HOWEVER

In my experience the little velcro straps, or the finger spring is the usual cause of the hood looking like it does in Elliots picture.

No - I wasn't saying compensate for something broken - and if the cable's broken I don't think the strap or spring will do so anyway - I was just suggesting what it could be - as did you. I just asked where you had heard this about the cables as it was new to me! I didn't say you were wrong.

 

[GOOFY]

http://carltonbale.com/cars/porsche-boxster/porsche-boxster-repairs/

Problem: Convertible top not closing properly
Dealer: Carlton's Garage
Date: Jan-2004
Description:
The top seams would not line-up properly with the rails above the side windows, just as it was before. I tightened the tension cables for the top, located at the sides of the compartment below the back window. Also adjusted a small arm (held in place by two torx screws) located near the side window frame, accessible when the top is 70% open. Problem resolved.

 

[elliotw]

Thanks everyone for all your help.

Not sure if my solution has already been suggested - but I took it to my dad (!) who cleverly fixed it - and thought I'd show as some of the earlier instructions posted, while very helpful, looked quite complicated to a simple guy like me.

First, open the roof half way.

Second, there is a straw-like plastic tube, which I guess is about 2mm in diameter, identified by the red circle. This is attached to the fabric and should be flush in its plastic frame. In the case of mine, on the driver's side, it was flush and there was no problem. On the passenger's side it was hanging loose - this is what the embedded photo shows, although it isn't easy to see.

You have to push the plastic tube, together with the material, so it is flush in the plastic frame. It's really fiddly to get in the grooves and you have to be very careful that you do not damage the roof etc, but this fixed it for me!

Alternatively, if you have a smart dad like mine, maybe he can do it for you!

 

[elliotw]

FYI - here is how the thin plastic tubing on the driver's side, sitting nice and flush, looks (my message I posted immediately before this showed the loose plastic tube). Use this the good side of your car to figure out how the problem side should look.

Hope this helps some folks.

Be very careful if trying to fix, have a little patience and make sure you have some decent tools to help.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Glad you got it fixed Elliot.
I'm trying to relate this to how it works on the car - think I'm going to have to go and look in the garage and look at my car []

ORIGINAL: GOOFY

http://carltonbale.com/cars/porsche-boxster/porsche-boxster-repairs/

Problem: Convertible top not closing properly
Dealer: Carlton's Garage
Date: Jan-2004
Description:
The top seams would not line-up properly with the rails above the side windows, just as it was before. I tightened the tension cables for the top, located at the sides of the compartment below the back window. Also adjusted a small arm (held in place by two torx screws) located near the side window frame, accessible when the top is 70% open. Problem resolved.

Yes, so one part of this is adjusting the cables, and the other (the "small arm (held in place by two torx screws)" is the finger spring I mentioned. Wonder if it was one or the other or both that ultimately fixed it.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

How ironic it was neither that fixed Elliot's car []

 

[GOOFY]

Elliot

Great to see you fixed it and thanks for the update on how it was done ! I have a similar issue (on and off ) on the driver's side - hence the extensive research. The good thing is that we can add this to any diagnosis steps. I am gradually building a personal database of these as I continue my "long term" Porsche ownership - as you can imagine !