I have to repair or replace mine. I can't find anyone who'll do it without changing an arm and a leg and other body parts. Want either advice on how to or where to.
I have to repair or replace mine. I can't find anyone who'll do it without changing an arm and a leg and other body parts. Want either advice on how to or where to.
Tension cables?
Spark plug wires? Something to do with a convertible top? Porsche has a centrally mounted torsion bar with cables running to each wheel?
Chain tensioners perhaps? If that is what you are referring to they are common issues. There are 2 chain tensioners, and one for the variocam. The 2 chain tensioners can be done with the engine in, the variocam is engine out.
My drivers side tensioner needs to be done. I have been looking for good instructions on how to do it but haven't found anything yet.
Sorry guys. Convertible top tension cables. They run along the sides, like on all convertible tops. These are partially hidden and I don't want to hut the expensive top by fumbling around, but also don't want to pay local p-car stealer price for a relatively simple job. The joy of Porsche, it either creates fat wallet syndrome or fear.
No upolsterery shop around?
Do they make a removable hard top? Buy one of those, some tonneau snaps and vinyl, and goggles for that monoposto look if you're caught about in the rain. This is the GRM approach. 
Boat shops can usually do it
I'm going to bet the dealer would just farm that out to a upholstery shop anyway. So your better off finding a good upholstery shop yourself. Look up any local hot rod shops they can usually point you to someone with a good reputation.
Porsche of Wallingford has a pair of painted 911 hard tops that they are offering huge discounts on. I saw them last week but didn't pay much attention to them and can't remember what color they were.
Woody wrote: Porsche of Wallingford has a pair of painted 911 hard tops that they are offering huge discounts on. I saw them last week but didn't pay much attention to them and can't remember what color they were.
I have seen them on Craigslist as well.
Search for the issue on Rennlist or one of the other Porsche forums. Lots of threads about the issue and how to fix it.
My shop farms all major convertible top repairs to an upholstery shop. Wiring, latches, switches, and hydraulics we work on. Top fabric, tension straps, and windows get done by the upholstery guys.
Already have hard top. It's summer so being able to drop the top at any moment is the reason I bought her in the first place. Hadn't thought of calling a boat place.
can't remember if it was the 996 or the Boxster, but IIRC there was a service action on those. Parts are still out there and don't cost an arm and a leg. When I get back to the office on Monday I'll look into it.
Any luck?
markwemple wrote: Already have hard top. It's summer so being able to drop the top at any moment is the reason I bought her in the first place. Hadn't thought of calling a boat place.
Time and money are fluid concepts at boat shops, pardon the pun. They're a little less reliable than gypsies and carnies
Looks like updated part number 997-561-921-00, about $100 each.
I've made my own side cables for convertible tops from hardware store cable and ferrules. It's not all that hard. When you pull the original cable to use as a template, tape some fishing line or such to it, so when you pull it out you leave the line there to pull the replacement cable through.
The hardest part of the job usually is attaching the ends. That varies with each top. It's almost never easy, but sometimes it really is remarkably difficult to do with the top in place.
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