Convertible top mechanism is punching holes in my top

Hello. I have 99 cab. The top goes up and down fine mechanically. However, when the top goes down, the canvas does not fold correctly and rests on the metal latch before the clamshell closes. If I don't manually tuck the canvas in, the latch punctures the canvas top when the clamshell closes. It has torn several holes dead center in my roof. Any idea what is causing this?

Looks like you are going to have to stop the top in Service Mode and then tuck in the roof correctly and hold it while you continue to open the top (lower) into position from the key in the drivers door lock position. Its the only way until you train the top to fold in correctly. I had to do that for a while. I was having trouble opening and closing the top. I suspected that the top was not folding in correctly. The plastic window did not fold to let in the top and pushed the top towards the rear latch. I did that for at least 6 times and it has been working correctly now for 3 months. This is the first time in 4 years that my top has worked correctly every time. I use the top every time I take the car out when I park for shopping. That's probably 4 times a week. However, in my case, the rear latch did not puncture the canvas top. Your posting has convinced me that was the trouble with my top. When it folds badly, the next time it would not start the opening cycle and flashed on the dash board. Thanks for your posting. I will keep a sharp eye out when I close to top down. I will start if from the dash, check it and hold it while I continue the closing down from the drivers door. Mine is also a 99 job. Maybe the plastic is not as pliable through ageing in the older model cars. Hopefully that is our only problem. We will just have to train the top to take up the correct folding position by persuasion.

There is a flap that is should cover that latch during closing. Yours sounds more like one of the elastic straps that helps the top fold has broken.

Thanks. I had a suspicion that there is a missing or broken part that was causing the roof not to fold correctly. However, I can't find a good picture or diagram that shows what the mechanism is supposed to look like. If any one has a picture of what the top mechanism should look like, I would appreciate if they could post it. I'll post a picture of what mine looks like tomorrow.

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I can see the plastic flap which covers the latch but I didn't know about the 'elastic straps' which help the top fold under correctly. Maybe that is our problem. Do you know of a diagram or way to check these straps out?

You might be missing the plastic flap that protects the top from the rear hold-down-hook that secures the clamshell. (part #9 in this drawing ) More in this thread: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...w-closing.html

I don't think my car has the flap (Part #9) described above. Here are 2 pictures of my open roof with a red circle around where I think the flap should be. Is this the correct location?

OK easy fix. New flap. Looks like it's p/n 996 561 265 01 or 996 561 265 03, and it's #9 on this drawing

Hurdi, I'm trying to find a pic of the straps. They go over the top right to left. As the top opens they sort of pinch the top edges together, towards the center and help to set the folds. I think one other job is to help guide the cable, in the tops edges, into the upper window channels as the roof comes up.

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This may be the link you are looking for. http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...paign=20150610

This is what it should look like. Order the part. I think it's a slightly different part depending on the year of your 996. 99656126501 Trim Cover (UP TO YEAR 01) $27.53 99656126503 Trim Cover (FROM YEAR 02 UP) $27.44

Strange. I'm pretty sure my '99 cab does not have this part on it. Does the part come off (and get lost) easily or something? Maybe I should get one. There is some light rubbing on my top.

That part is pretty fragile. The small hinges on each side are thin plastic that is easy to break.

Got it. I swear the top is a neverending project. Funny thing is if you look a new convertible Porsche, they have basically the same top. I guess they just refine it over the years with small mods to work out the kinks.

Yes the hinges on the flap part break easily. I put a link to my DIY fix for the hinges in post #6 above. I wouldn't recommend running without this flap. The latch can really eat up the convertible canvas, as the OP has experienced.

Got it. I have ordered the part.

Anyone have an install suggestion/tutorial on installing this part?

Wow - timely thread. I have the exact same issues with my top, and did not even realize that there is a cover for the latch. Once I figured out what is going on, I just stop the top before the lid closes and tuck the top material in. Also did not realize that there are missing straps that do this automatically. My top was replaced by the previous owner with a very nice GAAH top with glass window, but I'm not sure that the install itself was very good. Right now waiting on a pair of new rubber spacers for part of the top mechanism - it is pulling tight on the passenger side but there is a gap at the driver's side windshield header. The cables appear to be working correctly. Took it to a top guy but he was busy and wants to quote a new top in September. No, thank you! He did at least point out the missing spacer, so my indy has them ordered and we can mess with it when they come in. So for now driving with the hardtop installed. Daryll

bumping this thread

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Does this part go up or down with the top, or is it essentially just a stop for the top to protect it from laying over the latch?

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It's spring-loaded. It keeps the fabric of the top from interfering with the rear-center latch mechanism, and protects the fabric from damage. When the clamshell closes, it is pushed down flat. A torsion spring makes it pop up again when the clamshell opens.

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thank you! I was trying to build one in the garage instead of ordering the part. I think I�ll order the part for ease of use/time.

I discovered this issue last night. Here's a helpful youtube video I found that illustrates it in more detail.. You Tube

Anyone have experience with using this part # 996 561 265 01 on a 997? It looks like it would fit....but the 03 part that is supposed to be used on the 997 doesn't have the flapper......Having the exact same problem with the top catching and ripping on that hook... Also wondering if anyone has any definitive information on the straps that are supposed to help bring the top down in a safe manner? I just had a new top put on because the old one was ripping from this issue and the new one hasn't changed.... Thanks!!!

Wow, I have this same problem and never knew about the flap. I thought my top was not folding correctly. Just checked and sure enough I am missing it. Ordering it now. Any clue if this is easy to replace? At quick glance just looks like two screws hold it in place.

This post saved me from a hole in my top. I just started to see some heavy wear and saw this post before the top got punctured. My flap was missing and the part was easy to find and replace.

does snyone knows how this installs?

It just snaps on. There's a little spring that must be fitted correctly, but other than that, it's fairly simple. read more here: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...w-closing.html

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It is pretty easy and obvious once you start. The part is two pieces that come assembled, The "body" and the lid. The lid is clicked onto two posts on the body and the spring pin is already it (in my case one of the post broke off in its 27th year). The pin lets the lid fold down "backwards" toward the top when the clamshell comes down in the final step of opening (this letting the hook go into the latch box so the clamshell locks in). The spring pops the lid up vertical when the convertible top is folding itself as it opens so it does not feed into the latching box. I am pretty sure that is all this does, it clearly does not signal the top to stop functioning if it is broken, as plenty of people here still get 100% functionality when the plastic part is broken. Removal: the part fits over a metal component that has two holes in it. The part has two plastic "expanding" rivets that push through the part and into the metal holes. Each has a plastic screw that goes into the rivet and expands it so the part can't fall off. That is, the metal holes are not threaded. In my case, the screws were the "start" or torque screws, not slotted or phillips head. Once the screws are out, just pull it off. When you get the old part off, be sure and extract the plastic rivets and screws to reuse on install. Install. place the part over the metal piece so the holes line up. First push in the plastic rivets. Then screw in the two plastic screws. You are done. The lid should be held in the vertical position by the spring pin. You should be able to push it down like the clamshell will do when it closes. Best online price I could find in July 2026 was about $79. I am slow at this and it took me 15 minutes to find the right screwdriver head and figure out that the rivets had to go in before the screws, etc.