Need help with removing Cabriolet top. Not fabric but entire top
 

I want to remove the entire top from my Cabriolet while I install new carpeting. I want to do this because I noticed the rubber seal under the frame was not meeting with the body of the car in the center at the back of the car. I want to inspect the seal and then install the top once the new carpet kit is installed. I just want to make sure the top is as watertight as possible with the new carpet installed. If someone knows of or has a Cab specific service manual that covers top removal and installation let me know what it is and where to get it and I'll buy it.

Removing looks pretty straight forward. There are 3 brackets under the rear shelf carpeting that would need removed and then a few up toward the front under some trim pieces then remove arms that attach to the frame and release the front pins. I just don't want to mess anything up by taking off something I shouldn't have.

Thanks for the help.

I can check in the Bentley when I get home, this evening. But, I think there is a cable that runs from one side to the other, where it is connected on the back deck. From hearsay, its under tension.

easy to do in about 1 hour.

first open the front latches. then look at the hinges (B pillar),remove the bow tensioner. then you can remove the 3 brackets holding the bow in the back. then you can completely remove the bolts holding the hinges.

Last remove the bolts holding the arms on the gearbox and at the bottom.

hope that all makes sense.

I checked my Bentley but there isn't anything about removing the top.

Thanks

Mine is a manual top but the rest makes sense.

Use search and ye shall find...
Good pix of the frame mounting point and rear bow tensioner starting after post #10. ;)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/454536-convertible-top-help.html

I must use the wrong terms when I search or something. All I found were guys wanting to put new tops on their cars.

Couple of weeks ago i removed the whole top off my car as im converting it back to a factory hardtop.
+1 on advice above, another good thing to do is to have a camera handy or use phone to take pics each step of the way, that way if you have a booboo you can check photos and reverse what you did. I do it for everything now even for easy stuff, its easy to forget order of things. :)

If it's just the seal across the back, just take the bolts out of the three "L" brackets that hold the back bow down. The are under the large carpeted panel under the back window. You can then lift the bow up and replace the seal.

Looking at the cab roof currently occupying a large area of our living room (I have a very understanding wife) it looks like replacing the seal without the roof removed could be tough, except if you are talking about the 2 little (but very expensive) ones around the hinges.

Why is that?

I'm looking at the main body to top seal that fits around the bow at the rear of the car. It looks like the seal is not touching the body of the car in the center.

The only thing holding the bow down are the 3 L brackets. Also remembered that at the front of that bow, it's connected to the rest of the top but I can't remember exactly how.

Have a look at the parts catalogue, that should clarify things.

cheers hg

Have a look at the parts catalogue, that should clarify things.

cheers hg

Looks like the rubber seal is bolted in between the canvas and the bow.
Might be possible to get it out but it looks tricky to me.

cheers hg

Well, once I've built up the appropriate level of courage I'll tear into this and let you know what I find. I'll try to post pics. If I'm removing the entire top, I shouldn't have to do anything with the tensioners right?

I'm happy to report that my Cabriolet just went topless! It was really very easy to remove the top. First I removed the screw that held down the front trim piece of the bow. There was a bolt up by the pillar that had to come out to remove the trim piece. There is a 10mm nut under the trim piece at the front of the bow that needs to come off. I then removed two more bolts on each side up at the pillar (these bolts took a 13mm socket) . I had the rear shelf carpeting out so I just removed the allen head (6mm I believe) adjuster bolts that held the rear bow down. I took the bolts out that attach the pivoting arms to the top. I then unlatched the top at the front and stood up. Off came the top which I then carried into anther room and sat it down. I was really surprised how little it weighed. I could handle it very easily.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.