deilenberger from Planet-9 says: A contributing cause for this failure can be the roof edges not being pulled down into the roof/window frame when the top is closed. That puts LOTS of extra stress on the entire mechanism, and as these are the first designed failure point - they're going to go first. If anyone hears any popping, or their top doesn't fully close so the rubber on the front edge is 1/8" or so from the windshield header - it's time to check the edge of the top is tucking correctly into the frame - both sides. Mine wasn't on the passenger side all the time, but I didn't notice it since I rarely go around that side of the car (except when washing it or something, seems like I should have noticed it - butttt - I'm old.. so..) Happily - we have a DIY for this issue: www.planet-9.com/threads/987-boxster-roof-elastics-replacement.253021/ See the post here: www.planet-9.com/threads/guides-for-987-1.253776/post-2211690
@ScottFentonfullbe6 says: "If you were able to leave both of the rods in place, screw on both of the new sockets and push both arms forward before snapping in one side. It gets a little trickier moving them around when the top is attached to on of the arms. " Thanks @ScottFentonfullbe6 for sharing!
Mine pop-off on one side when opening. When the top is almost down and pushing in the storage space and the top lid closes the ball joint (plastic) pops off. Any Idea? Extending them a bit?
Thanks for the video. I have just completed the fix. I ended up doing it slightly differently and it may help others. I took both rods off (thread was too tight to remove plastic ends in position). But when putting back i connected the ball joint first. Fully opening the roof exposes the balls quite well and then i simply used adjustable pliers to squeeze the socket on without much force. No crowbar against the body needed. Once both in place i could lift the roof to match the mechanism position and bolt the rods into place..
Mine just snapped today at the beginning of the drive. It didn’t ruin my day, as I guessed it was a "designed to fail" event when I saw the broken plastic, but I can’t can’t say it didn’t nag at me through the day! Anyway, thanks for the great video. Wish me luck!
You saved my day - my roof failed following water damage just recently and I had to replace the top ball joints. However I found a prybar-less method to get the ball joint back on: With the roof closed, I managed to reach in from inside with my Knipex wrench pliers. (The water pump ones with "smooth" jaws) Access is limited but once you got them in you can just just squeeze the joint onto the ball.
Update: Thanks to you, I affected this repair today. One tip I’d add: if you were able to leave both of the rods in place, screw on both of the new sockets and push both arms forward before snapping in one side. It gets a little trickier moving them around when the top is attached to one of the arms. Seriously, can’t thank you (and your pops, I’m guessing, “ “Microfiber,” no “meecro-fibrée”😂”enough for your video. You saved me a ton of cash and hassle.
Yo so I installed the rods already. Is there a certain way to adjust the motors with the rods or just slap them on and everything should just operates as it should?
I heard one side break. I went with an OEM rod and socket because I wasn't sure the replacement sockets on Amazon would be as durable. If it happens again I'll try an aftermarket socket. My crowbar easily popped the new socket onto the ball.
great video. I have the same problem with my 987. I want to unlock the top at the push of a button but the windows don't go down, the roof doesn't open, only the top compartment moves up and down no matter which direction I press. What would you say is that? Greetings from Germany Hamburg
If the car doesn't react, it sounds like a bad button or bad sensor for the lever, because the odds of the top AND the windows breaking at the same time is very low
just changed 2 side rods with your video, thanks a lot ! but sadly the left side broked again after 1 open and close just 1 or 2 inch before reaching full close... maybe i have an issue with something making force on rods... any idea ?
Yeah, sounds like something might be stuck at one point in the mechanism or the tie rods are not calibrated properly (one side is threaded on too much)
![🛠 Soft top adjust and repair the frame - DIY Boxster 986 [English subtitles]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vfqFzFs3bmU/mqdefault.jpg)
Have you tried this repair? Did your push rods break? Did the top break in any other way? Share your experiences below
deilenberger from Planet-9 says:
A contributing cause for this failure can be the roof edges not being pulled down into the roof/window frame when the top is closed. That puts LOTS of extra stress on the entire mechanism, and as these are the first designed failure point - they're going to go first.
If anyone hears any popping, or their top doesn't fully close so the rubber on the front edge is 1/8" or so from the windshield header - it's time to check the edge of the top is tucking correctly into the frame - both sides. Mine wasn't on the passenger side all the time, but I didn't notice it since I rarely go around that side of the car (except when washing it or something, seems like I should have noticed it - butttt - I'm old.. so..)
Happily - we have a DIY for this issue: www.planet-9.com/threads/987-boxster-roof-elastics-replacement.253021/
See the post here:
www.planet-9.com/threads/guides-for-987-1.253776/post-2211690
@ScottFentonfullbe6 says: "If you were able to leave both of the rods in place, screw on both of the new sockets and push both arms forward before snapping in one side. It gets a little trickier moving them around when the top is attached to on of the arms. "
Thanks @ScottFentonfullbe6 for sharing!
Mine pop-off on one side when opening. When the top is almost down and pushing in the storage space and the top lid closes the ball joint (plastic) pops off. Any Idea? Extending them a bit?
Thank you for this video! Fixed it by myself very easily
Heck yeah! anytime!
Thanks for the video. I have just completed the fix. I ended up doing it slightly differently and it may help others. I took both rods off (thread was too tight to remove plastic ends in position). But when putting back i connected the ball joint first. Fully opening the roof exposes the balls quite well and then i simply used adjustable pliers to squeeze the socket on without much force. No crowbar against the body needed. Once both in place i could lift the roof to match the mechanism position and bolt the rods into place..
You rock, thank you for sharing
Mine just snapped today at the beginning of the drive. It didn’t ruin my day, as I guessed it was a "designed to fail" event when I saw the broken plastic, but I can’t can’t say it didn’t nag at me through the day! Anyway, thanks for the great video. Wish me luck!
I'm just getting to these now but glad to hear it went well and retroactively good luck! Even though you didnt need it!
You saved my day - my roof failed following water damage just recently and I had to replace the top ball joints.
However I found a prybar-less method to get the ball joint back on: With the roof closed, I managed to reach in from inside with my Knipex wrench pliers. (The water pump ones with "smooth" jaws)
Access is limited but once you got them in you can just just squeeze the joint onto the ball.
I hope people see this comment in the future and it helps them. thanks for sharing
Great! That crowbar move made me nervous. Now I just need to search "knipex wrench pliers."😋
Update: Thanks to you, I affected this repair today. One tip I’d add: if you were able to leave both of the rods in place, screw on both of the new sockets and push both arms forward before snapping in one side. It gets a little trickier moving them around when the top is attached to one of the arms.
Seriously, can’t thank you (and your pops, I’m guessing, “ “Microfiber,” no “meecro-fibrée”😂”enough for your video. You saved me a ton of cash and hassle.
That is super to hear, and thanks for sharing! I've added your tip to the pinned comment so others see too.
I stand by my pronunciation. 🤪
Thanks bro keep them coming I got the bell on already
:' ] will do
Yo so I installed the rods already. Is there a certain way to adjust the motors with the rods or just slap them on and everything should just operates as it should?
great content
thank you 🙏
I heard one side break. I went with an OEM rod and socket because I wasn't sure the replacement sockets on Amazon would be as durable. If it happens again I'll try an aftermarket socket. My crowbar easily popped the new socket onto the ball.
lucky! I was worried I was damaging the car because it was flexing..
Brilliant!, I’ve got that problem now😝👍
No! Sorry to hear! But welcome to the channel!
great video. I have the same problem with my 987. I want to unlock the top at the push of a button but the windows don't go down, the roof doesn't open, only the top compartment moves up and down no matter which direction I press. What would you say is that? Greetings from Germany Hamburg
If the car doesn't react, it sounds like a bad button or bad sensor for the lever, because the odds of the top AND the windows breaking at the same time is very low
just changed 2 side rods with your video, thanks a lot ! but sadly the left side broked again after 1 open and close just 1 or 2 inch before reaching full close... maybe i have an issue with something making force on rods... any idea ?
Yeah, sounds like something might be stuck at one point in the mechanism or the tie rods are not calibrated properly (one side is threaded on too much)
need to take a look at it and see
what size rims do you have on your boxster?
also awesome video
19” Techarts
thank you for the kind words!
Are you located in California?
South Carolina