clonking roof

[tuizner]

Hi

Posted a couple of days ago on ppbb about my roof. It starts clonking right at the end of the roof up cycle just as the plastic tonneau panel is at the end of its cycle (i.e. flush with the bodywork).

The sounds seem to be the transmissions or cables popping.

Yes its a 97 and I have checked the transmission cables after reading tool pants description here - the outers were not stretched and had 3/4" square profile cable sticking out.

The roof was slightly out of true but I unscrewed the red ball socket on one side by one turn which trued the roof up fine.

But I still get a popping noise especially from one side. Is there a microswitch somewhere?

Interestingly if you do not keep the roof-up-button pressed and allow the popping sounds to finish, you cannot then take the hood (roof - Excuse me I'm British) down.

Any ideas gratefully received.

Cheers

Mat

[mark in sunnyvale]

Hi Mat,

I have some guesses with reagrds to your problem. The first one is that your clamshell(or plastic tonneau as you reffered to it is lose. Get your top in the service position to see if there's any play in the clamshell.

Second guess is that you need to lubricate the rail that your tonneau shell is riding on. While on teh service position, look at the inner portion of the body and add some grease to that.

My third guess is that for some reason, your transmission is not synced. I have no clue how thsi would happen unless you broke your top before. Since you've removed the red ball joint, you know ho to remove the plastic taht covers them. Put your top down up to the point before it starts clonking. Measure the vertical distance between the from the top of the body to the red ball joint. Also, measure the same distance with the black ball joint. The black ball joint controls the movement of the clamshell.

When I disassembled my top, I remember having something loose. I can't remember what. I would have to check it as soon as I get over my jet lag.

Good luck!

[Tool Pants]

There are 3 switches but this noise will not be related. No way to figure out the cause of a noise over the internet. Have someone work the top switch while you watch what is going on.

Check to see that every fitting is tight. Lubricate everything that moves, rotates, or slides. Make sure that every ball joint is tight and all clips are in place.

I agree with Mark when you said your top is not true and you changed the length of the push rod by turning the red plastic joint - but one turn is not much. This would mean the top transmissions are out of sync if everything else was in good condition. The length of the push rod can be adjusted with the bolt that holds the 2 pieces together. Look and make sure the bolt is tight.

If all else fails send us a plane ticket and we will fix it for you.

[tuizner]

Thanks for the info.

The clamshell looks fine - not loose or out of alignment.

Lubrication - will do this week.

Transmission out of sync - Would be one of my guesses. I remember that the transmission armatures were slightly out from near-side to off-side (but only a few degrees - almost imperceptible).

I will have a play again this week.

Oh and while I'm here, the car is actually my wifes and she tells me its a lifer so I guess I'm going to have to learn my way around the car a bit more unless I want large Porsche bills for everything that goes wrong. Is there a recommended book detailing either the technical description of the car or how to maintain and repair?

Many thanks

Mat