Help - Power Top Adjustment

[G50911]

hi all. i know this topic has been discussed in numerous threads. but i seriously can't find a simple answer unfortunately (thank you boolean search algorithm). let me know if you can help or can point me to a definitive thread on power top adjustments.

here's my problem:
drivers side top doesn't sit flush with the windscreen frame. in this pic you can see that it's a little off. if i measure it it's about 1/4" off which leaves a little gap between the top of the window and the top seal. at highway speeds i get a little whistle.

is there an easy way to get the top to close evenly or a little tighter on the drivers side? i've read that you can take apart the rear quarter panel and make some kind of adjustment there but there are no pics or other details (unless i missed something).

[G50911]

pre-xmas eve bump...

[hrscrk]

thanks for setting up the link. i have a 92 cab w/the same probs.

they all do, as i was told by my wrench after i bought it.

mine was misaligned because the left motor was shot and had to be replaced; and had to replace a bow that was misaligned/bent.

and the left motor on the top of windshield is next; that's where most of the air noise is coming from because the top doesn't seal property to the windshield frame.

the basic problem, as it's been explained to me, is that the attachment points for the top to the car chassis/frame (behind the driver's seat) are weak to begin with; once they being to wear or move, the alignment gets out of line, and the rest of the problems follow. i've found two Porsche shops that have routinely re-welded them so the top operates properly.

so, for openers check the alignment where the top is attached to the body and go from there.

i'm still in the middle of this project and mucho $ away from a total fix. it's not cheap.

good luck.
__________________

[cashman]

Bump - I have the exact same issue. Anyone know the solution? I am aware of the bearing block adjustmetn in the back panel but it doesn't really seem to solve this issue. Unless, I just haven't moved them to the extremes enough.

[cashman]

Here was my problem/solution.
Upon inspection I noticed the actuating lever was pulling out of the case:





So I decided to pull the motor apart and found a broken/ cracked gear. I am pointing to the broken gear and you can see how the end limit switch works for those of you temping to sort out power cab top issues:



The screw was broken and the gear was cracked. Thus, the end limit switch may have been shutting the motor off prior to fully latching.





Plus the gear was completely cracked allowing it to slip on the actuating arm shaft:





So after making a new gear, all is good. The Driver side is still up very slightly for some reason but all of the wind noise is gone and it's much better. The real question is what is the root cause of the issue. Did the gear crack causing the top to not seat nicely. Or, did the roof not seating nicely cause the gear to crack?

[boyt911sc]

Cashman,

Could you explain how to manually close/lock the front latch of the cabriolet top using a screw driver as illustrated in the manual? My '89 cabriolet has an electric powered top and it is now inoperative. I am now opening the top manually but cannot lock the front end where the locking motor/mechanism connects with top of the windshield frame.

I have inserted a screw driver into the hole and tried different ways to activate the locking mechanism but not having any luck. I must be doing something wrong. So any advise or tip is highly appreciated. While I could drive and enjoy the car now, I have no way to close/lock the top in case of rain. Thanks.

Tony

[cashman]

If you look on the left hand side of the picture with my finger, you will notice a black plastic end piece. I'm assuming that's a guide piece for the screwdriver. In the middle of the plastic piece is a medium sized flat head screwdriver receptacle.

If nothing is broken, you should be able to turn the screwdriver relatively easy and you will see the lever start to move. There is a Little slop in the gear assembly so you may not notice the movement immediately. Also, turning by hand moves the lever VERY slowly. You have to look carefully. It takes what seems like a minute to rotate from one side to the other by hand. The motor must run at a relatively high speed to close the latch in a second or two.

If you feel the screwdriver is secure and you are getting no movement. Most likely you have a broken gear that is slipping on the shaft. Therefore, not rotating the lever.

There are only 3 moving parts. You can see them in the picture.
1 main drive coming off the motor.
2 main gear that is driven by the motor gear.
3 lever gear that is driven by the main gear.

If you can't turn turn the screwdriver. You either have a a seized motor or a broken tooth jamming something. Or, you are turning the wrong way and are against the end stop.

Also, keep in mind that all microswitches must be working for the "brain" to send the appropriate signal to the motor. Maybe your motor is good but you have a broken or misaligned switch.

Good luck.

[G50911]

awesome cashman! Pm sent

[cashman]

G50911,
Here are pictures of my roof line after the repair. Mine wasn't quite as bad as yours and air noise would only occur randomly. I drove last night for about an hour and a 1/2 and had no issues.

Passenger side, the seal is slightly below the frame:



Driver side, the seal is slightly above the frame: