*Help* Targa Top Repair

[rpmoore2]

For my 1977 911 Targa Top
I need to replace one of the top catches on the driver side. I now have 2 targa tops that I think I can swap from one to the other. I don't know how to remove the handles, vinyl trim piece and old catch. Can anyone help me. I'm hoping to save some money doing it my self and avoiding the $400 top catch part. Thanks

[DRACO A5OG]

PM me your e-mail address and I will send you the manuals. I hope they will work for your year, may help a little.

[rpmoore2]

It actually didn't cover the vinyl bolster that I want to remove. Regardless there is a lot of other useful information so I really appreciate you sending it to me.
Thanks

[TBumstead]

I found this to be very helpful when recently recovering the Targa top.
It's from our host.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_targa_top_recover/911_targa_top_recover.htm

[SCrescue]

rp,
The handle should simply pull out of the socket. To remove the upholstery bolster, you first have to remove the plastic surround piece after the handle has been pulled from its socket. To remove the surround, you have to use a dental probe or similar tool with a 90 degree bent tip to push out the plastic lock pins from the back side. As you push them from the back side, They'll protrude from the holes on the front of the surround near the Zu and Auf lettering. At that point you can grab them with a needle nose plier and pull them out. The surround should come off once the pins have been removed by gently prying around the edges and/or pushing the retainer posts from the back side with a flat bladed screwdriver.

The bolster is retained to the frame with upholstery glue and 5 nylon retainer pins (3 along the bottom and two along the back). Most of the pins can be accessed from the back of the frame. You can squeeze the pins with needlenose pliers and push them partly into the holes, and then carefully begin to pry the bolster from the frame with a spackle knife or other flat wide tool. Once the bolster is off. the mechanical latch mechanism is retained by two 5mm internal hex bolts. Let me know if you need me to provide pictures to help explain it further.

Take your time and it should all come apart without damaging anything.

Good luck and have fun,

Mike...

[rpmoore2]

I have my spare Targa Top where the vinyl is covered with electrical tape.
This is the perfect one to learn on.

[DRACO A5OG]

There you go

Don't be surprised if the PO placed shims under the side seals. Most inexperienced top guys do that.

[SCrescue]

rp,
Would you be interested in selling some parts from your spare top? I've got a broken right side lateral frame section on mine and I need to replace it. I also need a few other pieces of hardware. The link below is to my WTB post for the parts I need. Please let me know. Thx

Mike...

WTB Targa Top Frame Parts for '84

[rpmoore2]

Sorry, I wasn't planning on breaking the Top down for parts at this point. It still is in good shape other than it needs rebuilding.