Cab top not closing properly

My '99 cab top is not sealing properly at the front windshield. The "hook" is doing its job and pulls the front lip of the top to the windshield, but the passenger side of the top is not pulled as far forward as the drivers side. The difference is not large, maybe 1/3 of an inch between the two sides. The gap is noticeable on the outside of the car if one looks closely where the top meets the windshield. This is causing a rattle of the top on the passenger side as the top shakes. The other interesting fact is that in the back bow on the passenger side, the canvas is being pulled out of the bow. Its almost as if there is too much tension between the front of the top and the back of the top. I'm not getting any codes or errors and otherwise the top works great. Any ideas on this? I already adjusted the "receiver" on the windshield of the passenger side that mates with the tab on the front of the top.

Well check that the other receiver on the window frame is fully tightened. There is a screw in there. Just one in each I think. After tightening the outside frame ones of the window frame work, you might want to spread a small dab or O-ring grease around the receiver part and on the actual protruding part of the hood that goes into it for easier access. (no binding in any way.) The other thing you can check is the center hook receiver (light cluster). If you remove the space mans eye parts (Dark plastic eyes) you will find a torx screw under each. I found mine loose. I tightened them with a torx wrench which look like an Alan wrench but has a crown like end to them hard hand tight, as I didn't know the lb/ft setting. If that doesn't do the job you may want to bring the top into the service position and release the two bobble ended wires under the back of the canvas under the back widow above the back shelf then turn the canvas back and check that both side adjustments (if there are any) are exactly the same. When you are in there, check that both sides of the mechanism looks the same in every way. Nothing missing or dropped off. It would'nt go amiss to put a dab of grease on the clam shell hook and receiver when in the service position. Don't forget to attach the bobbles wire parts to the top after checking everything. If you want to remove 4 plastic screws you can remove the whole back carpeted shelf to see all that makes to top move ie. hydraulics and motors and relay board etc. ... Have fun and good luck.

Check the two screws where the visor connects to the windshield frame. There is a small plastic cover that just pops out. When they get loose it will definitely cause a rattle and can effect the closing. I think they take an allen wrench if I remember correctly.

Will do. So I found the section in the Porsche manual that discusses adjusting the top here: http://bethnrayndogs.com/car_docs/Po...m_body_ext.pdf in section 61-41. Its a little unclear but I'll give it a shot.

Also found a TSB. This could be the problem... http://www.renntech.org/forums/files...riolet-toppdf/

I'm willing to bet it's the two screws I mentioned. That's the easiest to check and fix and I would start there first.

wyovino it looks like you are kinda right. The screws were not loose, however I was able to loosen the screws and move the "receiver" back slightly (and then tighten the screws back down). This allowed the "receiver" at the top of the windshield to move back slightly. Now the right side of the top mates more tightly with the windshield and does not seem to be shaking. Hopefully this is a long term solution...

OK So I went ahead and splurged. I made a $90 donation to Porsche and followed the below TSB and just wow! My top now grips the windshield frame amazingly tightly, You can really tell when it opens and closes that the top is on much tighter. Very easy TSB, put the top in the service position and unscrew four screws and put on the new Centering posts.... Rattling Noises From The Cabriolet Top 911 (996) 6 4/03 6110 Binder - 6, Body Equipment Vehicle Type: Model Year: Concerns: Information: Parts Information: Literature: 911 Carrera (996) /911 Carrera 4 (996) From '99 (XJ Rattling noises in the area of the convertible top/windshield frame centering pegs. A new centering peg (including cap) is now available for eliminating the rattling noises on the cabriolet top in the area of the windshield frame. The new centering peg replaces the previous two-piece center- ing peg on the cabriolet Part Number NEW PART -> 996 561 605 02 A09 NEW PART -> 996 561 606 02 A09 OLD PARTS -> S996 561 605 01 A09 996561 70501 OlC 996 561 605 01 A09 996 561 70501 OlC top. Description New/centering peg, incl. cap, left (cabriolet top only) New/centering peg, incl. cap, right (cabriolet top only) Previous/centering peg, left no longer available Previous/cap, left no longer available Previous/centering peg, right no longer available Previous/cap, right no longer available 911 Carrera (996) Technical Manual, Group 6: > Repairs: 61-99 - Replacing convertible-top frame