Soft Top - Top Material Does Not Slide Into B-Pillar
Boxster9/97
6128
Binder-Group 6
10/16/97
Modifications and Adjustments to Soft Top
Vehicle Type:
Boxster
Model Year:
As of 1997 (V)
Concern:
Top material does not slide into channel on the B pillar.
Information:
To support and guide the top into the channel, a slider is installed on the left and right sides near the B pillar (figure 1 arrow). Check the slider with the top half open. The slider must slide manually without resistance to the front stop. When released, the slider must return to the end position with the assistance of the return spring.
Condition:
Top material runs to the outside.
Possible causes:
1. Binding slider. The guide nose on the B pillar for the slider (figure 2, arrow) is covered with a plastic foil. If this foil becomes loose, it can fold and the slider will bind.
2. Seized slider. From approx. production dates April 1997 to June 1997, the slider was secured to the top with a T27 torx screw (figure 3, arrow). The screw might be over torqued.
3. Insufficient return spring tension.
Repairs:
Top material runs to the outside.
1. Binding slider. With the top halfway open, loosen the slider and push it all the way back. Cut off the folded plastic foil on the guide nose.
2. Seized slider. Loosen the screw (figure 3, arrow) 1/4 to 1/2 turn.
Note:
Before and after production dates April '97 to June 1997, the slider was secured with a pop rivet and pin.
3. Insufficient return spring tension. Check the spring tension on the return spring (figure 4, arrow). In its original position the return spring is slightly bent towards the front. If necessary, remove the two T20 torx screws and reverse the return spring.
Condition:
Top material runs to the inside.
Possible causes:
1. Channel too small. When closing, the top slides over the piping to the inside.
2. Slider binding or seized.
3. Return spring has too much tension.
Repairs:
Top material runs to the inside.
1. Channel too small. The opening gap of the channel (figure 5, arrow) on the B pillar and the inside piping must be 7.5 mm +/- 1 mm. If necessary, open the gap with a plastic wedge.
Important:
If the channel gap is widened, ensure that the channel seal is not damaged. Also, the piping is glued on and must not be removed when widening the channel.
2. Slider bending or seized. Refer to Condition: Top material runs to the outside; Repairs 1 and 2 in this bulletin.
3. Return spring has too much tension. The return spring in its original position is bent slightly to the front. If necessary, replace the return spring.
Test:
With the top halfway open, the slider must move manually, without resistance, to the front stop. The spring tension must return the slider to its end position. Fully open and close the top several times to ensure proper operation (figure 6, arrows).
Modifications:
Changes to the sliders and top to improve closing of the top. Improved guiding of the top as of January 14, 1997.
- Long slider (new) (figure 7, arrow).
- Short slider (old) (figure 8).
- Pulling strips with piping on the top material have been extended on the top. The elastic strip on the top has been deleted.
Additional changes as of July 2, 1997.
- Elongated hole for the slider guide was increased by 0.7 mm to 11. 5 mm (figure 9, arrow A).
- Surface areas on the slider area of the elongated hole have been ground to eliminate damage to the slide foil (figure 9, arrow B).
Repairs:
Only the longer slider (figure 7) is supplied for repairs. Also, only the new top with the longer pulling strips will be supplied for repairs.
The longer slider can be installed in earlier vehicles, if at the same time, a new top is also installed. If a new top is not installed, the longer slider must be shortened, as seen in figure 8.
- The elongated hole in the slider should be enlarged at the top by 0.7 mm. New dimension 11.5 mm (figure 9, arrow A).
- The front raised part on the slider surface should be filed smooth to a width of approx. 10 mm (figure 9, arrow B).
Parts:
Literature:
Boxster Technical Manual, Group 6 - repairs 61 28 55