Boxster top transmission repair, now clamshell is uneven

Hello, I repaired the transmission on both sides of my boxster . After doing the passenger side the clam shell is really uneven. I made sure to line up both transmission gear boxes like they were before, but unfortunately when I put everything back the passenger side goes much lower first than the driver side. How do I adjust the clamshell? Here is the video of my first test when I fixed the gears and the passenger side puling down.

Any help??

Are you sure the mechanics are all intact and correct? Make sure those are working properly first. As for the transmission, there are posts here about how these should be aligned. I'm not sure setting them "the same" as they were before is necessarily correct. I assume that when one broke, it probably allowed the other to shift relative to the non-broken one, so you probably need to start from a known point. EDIT: A few starting points for threads: https://www.planet-9.com/threads/convertible-top-warning-light.254674/ https://www.planet-9.com/threads/convertible-top-problem.249674/ I recall seeing one with lots of detailed pictures of how to align the transmission. But I think, in the end, they need to be aligned the same on both sides, of course, to start with (I believe that's in the manual)...

I am still not understanding the clamshell leveling. I tried to take apart the transmission on the passenger side apart and move it so that both sides are the same on the left and right but it ended up breaking the push Rod Ball Joint on the drivers side. And even after having the cable for the passenger side rotated the clamshell is still uneven. There is no explanation on which way to spin it, and when you spin it, you do not see any progression on the top. Please I need help, I feel so stuck. I live in Tampa so it may be time to look for a specialist. I just wish their were more instructions on the clamshell online.

The gearing in transmissions is super low so the best way to adjust it is by removing the cable from the motor at the back (remove the cover, pull off the retaining clip and it just pulls out) and stick the end of the cable into a drill chuck. With both ball ends removed from the clamshell, does it move smoothly on both sides? are the connecting arms on both sides still looking the same, I almost said straight but they aren't meant to be straight? adjusted to the same length?

Thank you Apex for your reply, it has been a frustrating experience so far. So I took a look at pelican parts and it shows on figure 8 how to align the left and right side. So just to understand, I disconnect both top transmissions from the the "boomerage shaped lever". Then I use the cord drill to align the passenger side. Question, when doing this wont it move both motors instead of just one? Let me look at the connecting arms tmrw as I am still having the clamshell issue. Porsche Boxster Convertible Top Repair - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article

Is their a point when on the drill that you should stop? Would it be better to have the top all the way up and get it to the closed point if possible on the transmissions and then connect everything back up?

Underneath the high mount stop light in the photo is where the electric motor for the roof is. The drive cables are separate for each side and so what you see in the pelcan parts photo is them adjusting just the drivers side. I did mine with the roof propped open in approximately the service position. Good luck!

If the ball joint is popping off, that means something is binding. These are designed to break free so you don't damage anything more expensive. When these are disconnected, you should be able to move the top up/down manually/by-hand. This is how you should check to ensure the top is working properly mechanically. Once that's squared away, THEN you can reconnect the ball joints and power so that it can move it up and down. If it pops off then, then it's likely one transmission may not be working properly (lagging, broken gears inside, unpowered, etc). Personally, I'd try to move the transmissions under power without the ball-joints connected, and make sure they move evenly and equally... if not, then that needs more digging to find the problem. If you're not comfortable with troubleshooting, then, yes, bring it to a shop to have them look. This is what they will likely do a well. FWIW, my local Porsche dealer wouldn't look at the top, and recommended a local shop that does this type of work - so you may want to contact them to get a referral, at least.

One or two things about the top and the mechanisms - The thing connected between the transmission and the clamshell is not compressed when the clamshell is down. It is basically a spring - and it is extended when the clamshell is down, providing the force needed to hold the clamshell closed. The transmissions have alignment marks on them from the factory. When assembling the top they should be at the alignment marks, and THEN the boomerang sort of things are installed and also aligned. This is where I'm going to suggest you spend some money IF you intend to DIY on your Boxster . The money seems high, but compared to a dealer service bill, it's way less than 1 hour labor from them. It's AllDataDIY - they have a MARVELOUS on-line service manual for the 987 series. You don't buy it - you pay on a yearly basis for access. I think the cost for the Boxster is less than $100 - and there are always sales giving 20% off or something. Here is one (there are quite a few) illustration of aligning the top transmissions: That's the on-line size, but it can be enlarged even bigger. The section on the top alignment has quite a few illustrations with explanations of what you're looking for or doing. If you can't bring yourself to pay for the information (the magical wiring diagram they came up with is worth the money all by itself - you can trace a circuit from one end to the other and all the components it connects with between the ends..) then I suggest you try to find a good independent mechanic. Your local PCA chapter would be the place to start - ask the members for suggestions/recommendations. Even if you use a mechanic (independent or dealer) - I find the AllData information of value. I know what they should be doing to address an issue. That's very valuable information to have. I tend to use a few mechanics and they love it when I print out the AllData section on what I want them to do. No fiddling around looking up torque values, etc - they're all there. So - that's what I would suggest. I have aligned my top (which used to regularly bveak ball joints and bend arms, AllData was really a help, as was letting it stew overnight (take the ALlData to the car, look at what it's talking about and then think about how the different parts of the top have to work and in what sequence, and how important that magic boomerang thing is - and the importance of it being in the right rotation at the right time. Good luck! Let us know how it works out.

By the way, I just looked at AllDataDIY— https://alldatadiy.com/—and the plans are less expensive than I thought. One year = $60, three years = $120 (only $40 per year) , and there are always discount codes. And if you want to try before committing, they have a monthly subscription. NOTE - ALLData is not a sponsor here, and I receive absolutely nothing for recommending them. They just make a damn good product I wish more people used..

Thank you all!! I went to alldataDIY and just positioned the main spinning gear as the image deienberger posted above. Everything is level and running, the only problem now is a broke a plastic ball joint when I was playing with it unleveled before and the new one i bought is loose and keeps coming off. I am going to order a new set to see if it will fit better. Thank you to everyone here, as I was over thinking the whole mechanics of this top. I will probably make a YouTube video just to make sure if anyone needs help in the future they will have the reference.

Glad to hear it helped! It is very easy to overthink the top mechanism, which is really rather simple.