What could cause this (top push rods)?

[johnjack11]

What could cause push rods to bend so badly? Could it have been a partially latched top, has anyone seen it this bad before?

I wanted to get some opinions before I fit the new ones.

Thanks,
Jack

[ronster]

It is possible the white plastic piece broke and allowed the rod to dangle. As the top was lowered the dangling rod wedged on something and was bent. You might check the foam drain area to see if any damage was done there as this is the area these rods will end up in once the plastic breaks.

[johnjack11]

Drain was good, when it broke it really did not get a chance to get caught. It fell straight down, I guess I was lucky at the actual break point.

My guess is someone opened it way back when half latched, and started a bend, and it just got worse from there.

When I got it back together it works perfectly now...

Once thing I noticed when removing the broken rods, they were a bit loose and had quite a bit of lateral play in them.

Thanks for the reply,
Jack

[Wayne 962]

Yup, a partially latched top might produce this...

-Wayne

[johnjack11]

Thanks Wayne,

the trim pieces at the top of the tonneau still come loose every time I open the top.

Should I glue them in?

Jack

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by johnjack11

Thanks Wayne,

the trim pieces at the top of the tonneau still come loose every time I open the top.

Should I glue them in?

Jack

Can you post a picture, I'm not 100% sure which pieces you're referring to?

-Wayne

[johnjack11]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

Can you post a picture, I'm not 100% sure which pieces you're referring to?

-Wayne

It is the piece circled in red, both sides come loose when I open the top. I need to take off the clips and tighten them and put them back on, but wondered if glue would help keep it on.

I am also wondering if it is normal for them to catch and come loose. The rubber is in nice shape, where they slot in is fine too..

[johnjack11]

Top had been behaving for a week, but it did not open this morning. The top cover popped up but top did not move.

I did not hear any breaking noises this time, I saw the left push rod has popped off the metal ball, I cannot see the right one yet. I will have to check it at lunch, hopefully it just popped off.

Any ideas on how to tell "how" it should be adjusted? I am not sure whether I need to screw the plastic balls out to make it longer or in to make it shorter.

The top itself seems to fit perfectly when closed.

Thanks,
Jack

[johnjack11]

Ok, I think I figured this out.

The rods were replaced before I got the car. I was so worried about getting the length correct and copying exactly how they installed that I failed to notice that whoever installed them the last time, installed them backwards.

When looking at the "replacing boxster top" article on the site I noticed they were different.

I am glad I caught this before I killed the motor. That is a powerful motor as it bent the rods again, it took a vice and a pipe over the end to straighten them...

I think I got lucky this time! Just posting this in case it helps someone later on.

Jack