Convertible Clam wobbling when raising roof.

[style007]

Hello all, I've got a bit of an issue with my 03 Boxster. I've noticed that when I raise the roof back up from the lowered position,

at about the 3/4 mark of the process the rear clam shudders and wobbles. I would say that it happens when the clam is at about

a 40 degree angle.

I realised that the tension ropes had snapped off as well and managed to order replacements and install them myself. I'm not sure

if the wobbling caused them to snap. After the installation of the tension ropes, I still get the shudder/wobble when I raise the roof.

The issue does not seem to happen when the roof gets lowered. It would be much appreciated if anyone has any ideas about

why this is happening.

[1schoir]

Hello all, I've got a bit of an issue with my 03 Boxster. I've noticed that when I raise the roof back up from the lowered position,

at about the 3/4 mark of the process the rear clam shudders and wobbles. I would say that it happens when the clam is at about

a 40 degree angle.

I realised that the tension ropes had snapped off as well and managed to order replacements and install them myself. I'm not sure

if the wobbling caused them to snap. After the installation of the tension ropes, I still get the shudder/wobble when I raise the roof.

The issue does not seem to happen when the roof gets lowered. It would be much appreciated if anyone has any ideas about

why this is happening.

The tension ropes are unrelated to the shuddering/wobbling your top is experiencing. They only serve to keep tension on the rear main bow when the top is latched closed. The ones that broke may possibly have been adjusted too tightly by means of the 14mm adjusting bolt at their lower end.

For the wobbling/shuddering, there are two areas to check: the plastic ball cups at the ends of the front pushrods, and the black plastic sliders in the channels located alongisde each inner rear quarter panel, directly above the V-levers.

First verify that your left and your right plastic ball cup (white plastic in your case) are intact and that each is actually still pressed onto its respective steel ball under the base of each B-Pillar.

If those are okay, then verify that the body-colored arm that supports the clamshell has its steel ball firmly inserted into the black plastic slider that slides back and forth in the guide channel directly above (running front to back) each V-lever. Then, liberally apply some white lithium grease or Krytox lubricant to the channels.

That should cure the problem completely.

If you need photos, let us know or do a search here. Here is a link to get you started:

http://www.renntech....653#entry182653

Specifically look at the photos in post #13 and the last photo in post #15 in that thread.

Regards, Maurice.

Edited August 4, 2010 by 1schoir

[style007]

Hello all, I've got a bit of an issue with my 03 Boxster. I've noticed that when I raise the roof back up from the lowered position,

at about the 3/4 mark of the process the rear clam shudders and wobbles. I would say that it happens when the clam is at about

a 40 degree angle.

I realised that the tension ropes had snapped off as well and managed to order replacements and install them myself. I'm not sure

if the wobbling caused them to snap. After the installation of the tension ropes, I still get the shudder/wobble when I raise the roof.

The issue does not seem to happen when the roof gets lowered. It would be much appreciated if anyone has any ideas about

why this is happening.

The tension ropes are unrelated to the shuddering/wobbling your top is experiencing. They only serve to keep tension on the rear main bow when the top is latched closed. The ones that broke may possibly have been adjusted too tightly by means of the 14mm adjusting bolt at their lower end.

For the wobbling/shuddering, there are two areas to check: the plastic ball cups at the ends of the front pushrods, and the black plastic sliders in the channels located alongisde each inner rear quarter panel, directly above the V-levers.

First verify that your left and your right plastic ball cup (white plastic in your case) are intact and that each is actually still pressed onto its respective steel ball under the base of each B-Pillar.

If those are okay, then verify that the body-colored arm that supports the clamshell has its steel ball firmly inserted into the black plastic slider that slides back and forth in the guide channel directly above (running front to back) each V-lever. Then, liberally apply some white lithium grease or Krytox lubricant to the channels.

That should cure the problem completely.

If you need photos, let us know or do a search here.

Regards, Maurice.

Thanks for the quick and helpful reply Maurice, I'll take a look at the places that you mentioned. I'm surprised that this issue hasn't been posted up before. Maybe I googled the wrong words.

[style007]

Hi Maurice,

Checked the areas you mentioned and all looked good. So I bought a can of white lithium grease spray from the autoshop and sprayed the guide channels.

The top now works a treat without any wobbling. Thanks for the help.

[1schoir]

Hi Maurice,

Checked the areas you mentioned and all looked good. So I bought a can of white lithium grease spray from the autoshop and sprayed the guide channels.

The top now works a treat without any wobbling. Thanks for the help.

Way to go, "mate" !

Thanks for the update. It will help future posters as well.

Regards, Maurice.