'89 Speedster problem

Rick Coleman · 01-03-2005, 01:37 PM

Help! I have an '89 Speedster. When pulling the handle on the cable that releases the safety latches on the clam shell to put the top up, I ended up with just the T-handle in my hand. The pull (also known as the draw button in the Speedster Owner's Manual) broke off the cable and left me with the T-handle and a shaft approximately 3 inches long. Anyone with a speedster ever have this problem, or have a clue on how to fix it???? I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks, Rick Coleman

89 Speedy · 01-03-2005, 11:57 PM

Hey Rick, sorry to hear about the problem. I haven 't had the same problem but the mechanism certainly isn't as exacting as one would like. Be sure to check all the nuts and bolts on the clam shell frame as well. Should be any easy enough problem to fix but the parts are likely to be out of stock at your local dealer. Wonder if Pelican has 'em.

Rick Coleman · 01-04-2005, 02:37 PM

Thanks Speedy- Took your advice and checked w/ my local dealer. The cable (including the cable sleeve, clamshell end and the pull shaft) is approximately a $40 item. None in stock, as expected, but there were 5 at the wherehouse!! The T handle screws on to the pull shaft, and the clamshell end is attached to the safety latches with 1-2 bolts. The parts guy looked in the book and suggested that the new cable is fed in from the clamshell end. Sounds like a piece of cake, but....from my experience what looks and sounds like a 1 hour job takes a full day with lots of #@%x? thrown in for good measure. They indicated I should have the part in 1-2 weeks. I'll let you know how the project goes. Rick

911pilot · 02-13-2005, 07:15 PM

Rick,

Im getting ready to replace my cable also.
Let me know if you ran into any problems I can avoid when changing mine!

Thanks,

Jeff

Rick Coleman · 02-14-2005, 12:31 PM

Hi Jeff- I received my cable over a month ago and still haven't had time to install it. I did take a hard look at the situation and it seems to me that to install it one has to remove the interior carpet panel against that area. That is going to require removing the handle that locks the clamshell into place when raising or lowering the top, and I'm guessing that requires a special tool? When I raised the top recently (only the second time since I've owned the car that I drove it with the top up) I used a long pair of needle nose pliers to pull the cable end where it broke off from the T-handle stem. It's east to insert them into the hole if you snap the plastic circle out of the hole. Let me know of your progress as it seems that you are going to get your cable replaced before I do. Thanks, Rick

911pilot · 02-14-2005, 02:27 PM

Rick,

It's a deal, I'll let you know.

Jeff

PS................you havent replaced the carpeting yet have you?

KobaltBlau · 02-14-2005, 02:34 PM

oh man, I wonder how long it'll take to deplete 5 units in stock at the warehouse!

Rick Coleman · 02-14-2005, 02:44 PM

Jeff- I haven't pulled the carpeted panel yet, as I need to figure out how to remove the handle (any suggestions from readers of this thread?). I'll bet it removes the same way a manual window crank handle comes off. The interior is original as it is a very low mileage car, but I don't see why the panel won't remove and re-install easily once the handle is off.
There appears to also be a screw near the back of the panel, and I'm sure it needs to be removed. Rick

funy1guy · funy1guy's Garage

Rick, I just had my replaced at Pristine Motorsports in Huntington Beach. Dick Thorpe the owner is an absolute expert on the 1989 Speedsters. Give him a call at 714 960-2421 and tell him Mike Murphy told you to call. He can probably walk you thru it over the phone. Murf

Rick Coleman · 02-15-2005, 11:02 AM

Murf- Thank You VERY much! Rick

Rick Coleman · 02-17-2005, 12:47 PM

I gave Dick Thorpe a call and he was very helpful. He also confirmed my suspicions that this is not a straightforward task (as if anything ever is). He indicated the handle comes off with a set screw, and then the panel comes off when the rear panel screw is removed.
The hook, however, is that the cable assembly is somehow fastened to the inside of the panel. He said that whatever holds it to the panel is often broken and you must fabricate something to re-attach the new cable. He said he sometimes frberglasses it to the panel? You must then adjust the cable and then re-install the panel assembly. I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO PULL IT APART AND GIVE THIS A TRY! I guess worst case is I drive to Huntington Beach and let Dick repair it, but I sure want to try it myself first.

real550A · real550A's Garage

If this continues to be a problem, just sell all the '89 Speedsters to me for ten grand apiece!
Seriously, I admire your choice of cars. They are destined to be a timeless classic.

jtratza · 02-17-2005, 07:21 PM

Help! I don't have a speedster! You guys are so lucky.

Rick Coleman · 02-18-2005, 09:57 AM

Don't think for a minute we don't agree we're lucky! It's a really fun car, and you don't see many, except at large Porsche gatherings, even in sunny (not today!) So. Calif.. These cars weren't meant to be driven with the top up anyhow. I went to the Euro-car meet in Long Beach two Sundays ago. It started to rain, and the interior got a little damp, but I did drive home in scattered showers with the top down. Had a big damp grin on my face all the way home. No harm.

funy1guy · funy1guy's Garage

When I bought mine in 1999 I drove it home from Huntington Beach up 101 thru Reno where it started to pour and I was jamming dirty socks, underwear and anything I could find into the windows to stop the leaks....but it is a fun car!!!