Cabriolet top and window glass

[86 911]

Hi,
I have a 911 cabriolet and when I have the top up, and I roll the windows up while I'm in the car, they roll up fine, although when the windows are up, and the top is up, and I open the door to get out and shut it again, the window glass does not go behind the side of the top. Is this how it is supposed to be? I have photos of the side on the cabriolet top, and what happens when I close the door when the window is up.
Thanks,
Matt

[TerryH]

Not sure I'm following you exactly, but if the window is riding inside that verticle weatherstrip, you probably need to adjust the door glass. I'm not familiar with a cab at all, but I believe the top picture is close to where the glass should ride. If the glass rides inside when rolled up with the top up, the glass is most likely catching and riding up to far inboard. The fit, IDEALLY, should be the same regardless of whether the glass is rolled up with the top on or rolled up and the door is shut. However, not all convertibles are made the same. Some makes have great fit and seal, some hardly seal well even when brand new. As window regulator parts wear, the fit can change considerably on the glass.

Hopefully this bump will get a cab owners attention and better specifics....

[86 911]

Thanks Terry,
When I shut the door with the window up and the top up, shouldn't the glass fit inside the weatherstripping when I close the door? I don't think the window need adjusting becaue it is already as far as it can go toward the front of the car. Maybe I need to find a more narrow piece of weatherstripping? Maybe the weatherstipping is upside down?

Matt

[TerryH]

Hey Matt, I'm 99% sure your glass is only a compression seal against the outside of rubber weatherstrip. If the glass were to fall inside, how would you open the door without ripping the rubber or worse?

[Sonic dB]

The glass should fit inside the weatherstripping.

On my 86, I dont have the problem as you do....

however, on occaision.....when the top is already up and I shut my passenger side door which has the window rolled up, then the glass is on the outside of the weatherstripping which is not the proper way it should be. At this point, I can push on the window to pop it back under the strip...but I prefer not to do this.

Terry, the window should fit inside the weather stripping. When you open the door, the glass simply slides out under the stripping, which is flexible and gives easy.

My drivers side door is fine...occaisionally the passenger side door window sticks on the outside of the stripping.

[TerryH]

See Matt, I told you I was full of crap! But at least we got someone more knowledgable to chime in. Thanks Sonic.

I actually own a business that repairs water leaks and wind noises at the dealer level, but I'm working on new Mustangs, Corvettes, T-Birds, and Sebrings. Never a 30 yr old Porsche Cab.

[89turbocabmike]

Matt. my factory turbo cab windows fit just like yours, with the glass riding on the outside. It is a rainproof seal and only time I get any seepage is when I get the DIY pressure wash directed on it. It never leaks from being parked or driven in the rain. Just need the right pressure compressing the seal, though I've never adjusted it myself. My top is in like new condition at this point. I can take pics if you like but my pics would look exactly like yours, color and flares

[DJB]

Here are some pics of mine just after a new roof install





Hope this helps....and two photos just before the new roof install ...

[sfmlaw17]

Yep, it is a seal that goes on the inside of the top weaterstripping. I have to fight with mine sometimes. Check the stops at the top of the door. Mine works fine, but I roll the window to the very top, then back it off like 1/8 of an inch. Then it will pop right in when it shuts. Your door glass it just up a little high. You shouldn't need to adjust the glass at all. Just check the stops and replace if needed. Good luck.

[TerryH]

Usually, the glass will tuck up under the lip of the weatherstrip across the top. To me it doesn't look like your glass is too high, it appears that there is not enough compression. It looks like if your glass was any lower it wouldn't meet the top weatherstrip at all. It also looks like your glass is crooked. The vertical run should show the same gap from bottom to top. By your first picture I'm guessing the door glass nearer the front of the car is higher than the rear.

Many convertibles have the ability to tilt the top of the door glass inbound to achieve proper seal. Again, I'm not sure what adjustments are available on your car, but make note of current placement before making any adjustments on the regulator or glass stops or door striker so you can go back to square one if it gets out of hand. Sometimes you can move the weatherstrips a little to fit the glass instead. If the other side of the car is fitting/working properly, then compare the workings and try to copy that to the problem side.

[Purrybonker]

I feel your pain. On my car...

Driver's door exhibits the same symptoms as yours, but the passenger door works just fine.

Fortunately a previous owner came up with the ultimate solution that every cab should have...

Remote power windows!!!

My Alpine keyless entry/alarm has a power window control. I make sure the window(s) is down when I exit the car and then hit the remote - up goes the window, ensuring a tight fit. Brilliant solution!

I didn't even realize that the car had this little item until about a year after I bought it.

The 996 cabs (at least the '04 that I looked at) automatically drop the door glass a quarter inch or so when you lift the door handle and then raise the glass back in place when the door closes. Porsche should have thought of that years ago!

[TerryH]

Originally posted by Purrybonker
.... snipped The 996 cabs (at least the '04 that I looked at) automatically drop the door glass a quarter inch or so when you lift the door handle and then raise the glass back in place when the door closes. Porsche should have thought of that years ago!

Ford incorporated this feature when it re-introduced the Thunderbird in 2002. Can't say who came up with the concept.

[widebody911]

BMW's have had the window feature for a while.

[john walker's workshop]

there is an allen bolt holding a sliding stop block on the window lift frame that can be adjusted for window height. remove door panel for access. you get at it thru an oval hole in the vicinity of the twist lock knob. the horizontal seal can be adjusted in or out by loosening it's screws. the rear vertical seal also has some adjustment. the rear of your seal is distorted and needs to be repositioned, or trimmed.

[William Miller]

I have an 83 cab which I'm currently restoring.
Assuming ours are pretty simular, there are several adjustments.
There are 2 stops on the window regulator. They are made of very soft and brittle metal (Used to call it pot metal) they hold little plastic pieces that are the actual stops. They are adjusted along a elongated hole. These stop the up and down motion of the motor on the regulator. Ther are other adjustments between the regulator and the inner door. These are where the regulator bolts to the inner door and are also elongated slots as I recall. This adjustment allow you to make the top edge of the window parellel with the seal. The last type of adjustment is on the window tracks. These can be adjusted allow the window to lean in or out at the top. The rear track is hidden inside the door and is bolted to the rear edge. There should be a few plastic plugs covering the bolts/screws.
I think the top screw is the pivot and the lower ones are elongated holes.
The same is true on the front with the fixed vent glass although I can't recall where the bottom screws/adjustment is. I think inside the door.
With all these adjustment points and a lot of other stuff that can wear out it's enevatible that something will come loose or break. I had a broken stop. (Why I had to learn how it worked.)

BTW, I don't think, the rubber piece at the top front of the glass is supposed to physically stop the glass. I think it's really there just to seal the front radius.

I just got my car back from the paint shop. I had sent it there in pieces.
I'm just starting the process of putting the doors back together. Window track/regulators and all. If you need any details let me know because I can see everything and it will be freash in my mind.
I also got new seals and hope that I can get it adjusted perfectly. I think I will put some locktight on all the adjustment bolts so they don't work their way loose.

[SCWDP911]

sub'd

[5speed]

Matt, if I read your post correctly you're concerned with the vertical seal at the backside of the glass not the horizontal seal at the top of the glass. If that is the case then 89turbocabmike and TerryH's first post is correct that the seal stays on the inside while the glass is on the outside. The glass should not be inside the vertical seal itself, but pushing against it to keep the water out. If you are concerned with the horizontal seal at the top of the glass then the other advice posted is correct. Looking at the pics you posted you need to adjusted the horizontal seal as well.

[1982911SCTarga]

The 996 cabs (at least the '04 that I looked at) automatically drop the door glass a quarter inch or so when you lift the door handle and then raise the glass back in place when the door closes. Porsche should have thought of that years ago!

This is an excellent point. On my Targa, with the roof in place, I always drop the driver's side window a 1/4 inch or so when I get out. I'll do the same for passengers if I have them. This in the long run is easier on the upper seals, and it relieves that burst of air pressure, too, when you close the door.

Brian

[SCWDP911]

Originally posted by 1982911SCTarga
This is an excellent point. On my Targa, with the roof in place, I always drop the driver's side window a 1/4 inch or so when I get out. I'll do the same for passengers if I have them. This in the long run is easier on the upper seals, and it relieves that burst of air pressure, too, when you close the door.

Brian

Is there an aftermarket or DIY conversion for this for the earlier cabs?

[Macroni]

My brother in law had a 1961 Lincoln convert w/ suicide doors. The windows dropped when you went to open the doors or drop the top. It was an extremely cool car.

The glass on my cab looks like yours it seats against the fabirc covered rubber.