996 cab drive unit part broke - are there any options?

[dougpace]

About a week ago, my top was opening and, as the deck lid was finishing the close, it paused, strained, and then I heard a loud pop. 

 

I'm pretty sure now I see what happened, and thinking I need help to get out of it. When the top was closing, a plastic flap was dislodged and the top managed to block the rear deck from latching. That hook is driven by a little metal part inside the convertible top drive unit (or convertible "transmission" as some parts places call it). After opening that up, I see that drive unit part ended up breaking just where a little "foot" grabs onto the sliding bar which is also controlling the deck lid.

 

So now I am trying to either repair or replace this part. Unfortunately, it looks like Porsche only wants to sell me the entire drive unit. 

 

I am crossing my fingers (but honestly with low optimism) when I ask: Would anyone be able to sell me this part or have any tips on the repair of it?

 

And while I am at it, for any other 996 cab owners, be careful! I do think this is something that could easily happen to any 996 cab. To recap:
Find the spring-loaded plastic trim flap near the back deck latch that keeps the folding fabric top out of the deck latch area (and specifically where the hook is). When the rear deck lifts up, you'll see this flap (or should see this flap) lift up near the center, protecting the rear latch. That had fallen off (it easily snaps off and on, and is way too flimsy honestly) and the fabric of the top can get into the area where that latch is during the close operation. It is when this happens that you get excessive force applied to the latch, which can end up breaking at the weakest link. For some, I have read the hook actually pierced through the convertible top. Ouch! For me, I think enough of the top material was sandwiched in there that it could not quite pierce through, and the force applied to the latch was more than the part could take which was pushing it closed and this little notch broke off shown in the pictures. Either result is really bad, honestly. 

 

I love my Porsche, but seems a few mistakes in the design here. The weakness of this part, combined with that flimsy protective flap, all seemingly without any excessive force detection. 

 

BTW, I wouldn't have gotten to this without all the great info in this post for the knowledge that this might be it (and specifically user 987_RDC).
https://www.renntech.org/topic/21112-996-carrera-convertible-top-calibration/

 

Anyway, I have two pics - one is how you get to this part by opening the convertible drive transmission, and the second is just the part I'm trying to either repair or replace. If no one knows how to get to this part, I'm guessing some really precise welding? (I know nothing about welding.)