19 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHCab plastic rear window separation
Leading reported evidence
Install properly
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
After some detailed questioning, the installer did say that replacing the top is very tedious, alot of pulling, stretching, aligning, etc to get the top installed properly.
Leading evidence: 'Install properly' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Install properly' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I had the window replaced and a new one sewn in for ~$600 - about half of what the dealer wanted for the exact same job.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
I was recommended by a friend to a local shop that has been doing tops/upholstery for 40+ years here in Miami.
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Suggestion · Original poster
I did the repair 6+ years ago, and it is still holding up.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Install properly
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
After some detailed questioning, the installer did say that replacing the top is very tedious, alot of pulling, stretching, aligning, etc to get the top installed properly.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
19 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
So, my new '99 Cabriolet has a few "fixer upper" issues. The first I'm trying to deal with is the separation or delamination of the rear window from the top. (see pic below.) I have quotes from a local shop for $1800 for a new top, or $750 to "sew in" a new rear window. The top is in good shape, so I'd like to keep it.
My local dealer says the replacement windows tend to wrinkle since the top is "stretched", and recommends a totally new top. This doesn't make any sense to me. Anyone had a replacement window sewn in? How'd it work out?
Also, can I save some $ by removing the top myself and having the upholstery guy sew in the window? How bad is the removal/reinstall DIY job?
Thanks.
The rear plastic on my 2000 cab started separating 2 years ago. It wasn't as bad as yours -- only about half an inch in the bottom. I had the rear plastic window stitched in for $400 at a local upholstery/marine shop.
Frisbee, I had a similar issue with my 2000 cab top; the material was in excellent condition but there was a small pinhole in the lower driver corner.
One alternative was to look for a complete new top. OEM is upwards of $2500 just for the top...I didn't go that route. I looked at aftermarket and there is a manufacturer on ebay that I asked plenty of questions regarding the material and quality of construction. $550 shipped for my blue top, OEM material/color, just not the PORSCHE name; it arrived and was impressive.
I was recommended by a friend to a local shop that has been doing tops/upholstery for 40+ years here in Miami. I paid them a visit and lo and behold, they buy from the same guy I did. After some detailed questioning, the installer did say that replacing the top is very tedious, alot of pulling, stretching, aligning, etc to get the top installed properly. they quoted me $500 takes about 2 days for removal of the old top /install.
The installer told me
AFTER
the job that I could have just had the plastic window resewn for about $200 plus the install, but you brought up a good point of the "stretching" that
can
occur if that's done, so I don't feel so bad. But i did keep my old top cuz it's the original and even the plastic window was in OK shape, but it was 9+ years old, and that's what i was told is usually the time when the glue/ stitching around the windows starts to to fail on these cars.
They did it over the Christmas holidays, very pleased with the results.
Long story short, it's all about the installer's expertise. GL
I had them sew in a new window in mine. They cut out the old one.
That cost me $750.
Not sure I would recommend that if your window is still ok, just sew the existing one in again.
A new top from Gaah costs $1917 with glass and $1317 with plastic.
http://gahh.com/
It all depends on what quality you want.
I had the window replaced and a new one sewn in for ~$600 - about half of what the dealer wanted for the exact same job. Never had any stretching issues. Top was in great condition, so why mess with a whole new assembly?
This just happened to me in my 964 cab. I fixed it myself, and it was very easy.
If the 'eyes' in the plastic window are not cut, then you simply resew the plastic to the canvas using the existing holes. Go to a fabric store and buy upholstery thread and a good needle. It took me about 1.5 hours to sew in the entire bottom of the window (taking my time and a few 2 minute breaks).
Again, very easy and the repair cost me $7.00.
the stitching on mine came apart in small area , but I noticed there was also glue sandwiched between the window and fabric, and that was aged and also separating. it seemed to me that the lower seam was allowing the water to sit there and find it's way into the car.
"Anyone have experience with removing then replacing the convertible top (as opposed to cutting/stretching/gluing a NEW top)? "
I've only heard 2nd and 3rd hand, not to do it as a DIY.
I had my plastic window in my '01 stitched in with a replacement.
Still leaked.
I've had my top replaced with GHH in the end. Pricy but worth it to me.
The shop owner did explain the process to replace a top in our cars.
Not easy (stretching, fitment, not damaging anything!, etc).
Best of luck.
Thanks for all the advice! I think I'm going to try a sew-in replacement. Anyone know any good (and reasonably priced) upholstery or top shops in Northern Delaware?
My '99 separated at the bottom corner, 2" and 2 months out of warranty (since sold, bought/sold others).
PCNA said no, it's your problem.
Dealer told me window would run about $700 and installation, which is a pretty cool process to see it electrically 'glued'...involves long rods out of your wheels, tapping the battery for power, etc. But I was also warned that upon removal of old plastic, canvas/zip seal might break.
It did. I was in for about 5k at that point for an entire new canvas AND window.
Of course at the time I had the notorious Warranty Gold policy - worthless POS - and still have $5500 in claims against those bastards whenever we see any pennies from it (been about 7 years). Oh well.
Good luck either way.
Next owner got a rock solid '99 Cab, with a new top and window.
'04 C4S Cab had glass.
'09 Turbo Cab has glass.
Follow up to an old post of mine. It took me a while to get it done, but I ended up with a DIY top repair. You can find a full write-up of my repair here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...epair-diy.html
I do a bunch of searching on this forum, so I'm just trying to close the loop for the next guy.
Having tried the repair route and then biting the bullet for a new top, my recommendation is to get a new top. You can have one installed in the $1600-$2200 range depending on your location and whether you go with a plastic or glass window. A dealer will charge you over $6000.
