Top Down 13 years

[kahrboy18]

I have in my possession a one owner '99 986. I have detailed records, the sticker, etc. that indicate the hard top was installed when purchased in 1/99.

It makes a lot of rattling noise going over bumps. Rear suspension is good.

The Porsche tech here thinks I am hearing the soft top cables rattling around.

If I take off the hard top and try to raise the soft top will it likely jam, or not be able to be retracted?

This was a well optioned car with a great paint job. I am trying to get it back to close to new. So far the money I put in the engine and Tip seem worth it. 100,000 miles, everything works and the interior is great.

Should I just forget removing the top?

I am determined this will be my daily driver and it is doing fine thru two months.

Thanks.

[mikefocke]

A '99 with plastic window that has been folded back on itself for 13 years. Probably the plastic window will be brittle and crack when you raise it.

Raise it after removing the hardtop and letting the car sit in the hot sun for a couple of hours so you don't have cold working against you too. Slowly in stages no more than 2 inches at a time. If you are lucky and it comes up, there are plastic cleaner/conditioners that will put some "oil" back into the plastic while cleaning it. I used Novus 1,2,3.

If you are unlucky, you then have the options of retreating to the hardtop, replacing only the rear window, replacing the top fabric, replacing the top and frame assembly with one from a junker, replacing the top and frame from a '03-'04 model with its glass window and improved structure and soundproofing, replacing the top with a glass window top fabric (GAHH, Robins or equivalent).

Lots of info in this series of articles by Maurice.

[kahrboy18]

I'll give it a try Saturday. thanks.