2003 S Clamshell won't close completely

[B6T]

Hi everyone.

New member here.  I just picked up a 2003 S this weekend and am building up a list of to-dos on the car to get it ready for spring.  Excited to finally have a Porsche.

 

First up is to address an issue with the roof.  I can't figure out is why the clamshell won't close all the way.  I initially thought the centre roof latch was hitting the Bose subwoofer and jamming up the roof, so I removed it and the problem persists.  The roof motor will open completely and stop, presumably when it hits some limit switch, but the clamshell remains in this position.

 

I tried applying light pressure to it, and it doesn't feel jammed, but I don't want to force it down.  One other thing I noticed is that the tension cable which runs between the back section of the roof and the body, beside the engine cover, is snapped on one side.  Not sure what effect this has on the problem.

 

Is this a motor/cable adjustment issue?

 

Pictures are attached (excuse the dirty car - haven't been able to clean it yet).

 

Thanks.  I appreciate the help!

[B6T]

Nevermind guys... the problem solved itself.  I left the top open overnight and everything settle down, and now the clam closes completely.

 

Since I just picked up the car, I guess it had been sitting for a while with the top up, so everything was stiff.

[ttocs]

Hopefully, over time, the top will settle enough that the clamshell doesn't touch it when in the down position.

 

When I bought mine last August I knew that the car had been sitting for most of a year and initially the top and clamshell wouldn't settle right away, but would after a few driving miles. In your photos it looked like a bigger problem than mine was, so it's good news that it's following along the same path as I experienced. When I saw your post yesterday I was thinking it was a popped rod with the plastic ball joint on the end, or something was bent, but not being experienced enough I was waiting for someone else to chime in. There's a lot of very knowledgeable folks on this site.

[kbrandsma]

In 2003 the Boxster's rear plastic window was replaced with a smaller glass one.  Definitely a big improvement, but If the top has been closed in a while it will take a few openings and closings to get the ragg top to lay down completely.

 

Welcome to Renntech!

_:welcome: 

[B6T]

I've opened and closed the top a few more times since my initial post and another thing occurred to me.  I'm wondering if the push rods need to be adjusted.

 

(thanks for the pic Pelican Parts :))

 

I'm wondering if loosening off the 10mm/M6 bolt on each rod with the top open would allow the top to settle with both the mechanism and the top at it's natural fully open extent.  It feels like the top wants to drop more but it mechanically limited.

[cky3k]

I have a similar problem, but it appears the top fabric directly below the back window being separated from the top (needs to be reglued) is the main contributing factor.  Curiously, can you tell me if your fabric is in tact below the back window?  You may need to look closely to see if it has pulled away a quarter inch or so.  The seam should line up with the edge of the rear of the top.

 

Thanks!