How to Lubricate a 996 Targa window drive

After reading how to lubricate a 997 Targa track at https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...esitate-2.html by bigpoppa425, I tackled the job on my 2003 996. I took photos and have more information to add. Open the Targa glass about 6 inches. I stuck a 6-inch ruler into the gap and took a photo of the roof position. Bigpoppa says that the glass must be in exactly the same position at the end of the job, but I don't think this is case, as it seems like there are microswitches somewhere to sense when the roof is closed. I say this because when one of the motor clutches slips, the motor makes more revolutions, but the roof still stops in the right place both opening and closing. Disconnect the battery. You might be able to do the job with it connected, but I didn't want to have motors turn on by themselves. From the inside of the car, at the bottom of the glass hatch, pull out the vertical section of carpet to expose the motors. Stick a small screwdriver into the curved slot and slide it to the right (see photo). This manually releases the glass hatch, so now you have both the glass hatch and glass roof open. Lay a towel over the right rear of the car so you don't scratch your nice paint. The hatch motor plate blocks one of the Targa drive motors. Remove the hatch motor plate by first removing the two T25 Torx screws (see photo). The hatch motor plate has a third connection using a bolt running from right to left. Remove it (see photo). Pull out the hatch motor plate and set it aside. This extra bolt looks to me like a Porsche retrofit because the first two screws did not hold the motor plate solidly enough. Now you can see both Targa glass motor plates. They appear to be identical. Remove the right one by unscrewing the two matching large Torx screws. Repeat to remove the left plate. Separately, there are three matching T20 Torx screws. These hold the cover on the Targa glass motor assembly. If you remove the cover, you can inspect the electric motor, worm drive, first plastic gear, and second plastic gear (see photo). I used a small screwdriver to move some of the unused grease onto the gear teeth. Under the second plastic gear is a round metal part with ridges on it (see same photo). These ridges fit into the bottom of the second plastic gear. Under the metal part is a spring pushing it into the plastic gear. Together these form a clutch. If the motor tries to turn but the roof doesn't move, the ridges slip and you hear a click-click-click. This protects the drive system. On the back of the motor assembly is a metal gear that drives the Targa "cable." The Targa drive cables slide inside of tubes that run from the motors up to the sides of the Targa glass. I don't have any photos of the drive cables because they're impossible to see. I envision the cable as having notches into which the drive teeth fit. Get a can of Teflon dry lubrication. (I got a can from Cabela's for lubricating guns.) Attach the extension tube. Spray it into the circular holes for each motor where the cable is (see photo). Manually slide the Targa glass an inch and repeat until you've lubed as much as possible. Manually push the Targa glass back and forth to spread the lube. Mine was not smooth at this point, so I lubed the cables again every 4 inches or so in an attempt to spread the lube before it dried. Also wipe out the grooves in which the glass slides, spray in Teflon lube, and spread it. Slide the Targa glass back to its original position open 6 inches and reassemble. My Targa glass never moved smoothly when moving it manually. After reinstalling the motors, it was a little better. A few days later the glass moved pretty well. Maybe it was because the day was warmer.

Great information here. Dr. I learned how to release the glass. few other things I didn't know on mounting, though I think the 3rd mount bolt is for securing for possible bisecting torsion from the motors which are pretty powerful. How good, bad was your roof operating to warrant this maintenance? Is this your daily driver ? by that I trying to gauge number of time open/close /month/yr.? Weather/Salt air in SF is interesting to say the least (a most harsh operating environment ) How much a factor do you think it added to operational maintenance? I'm lucky in that previous owner owned 3 911's and used it 2-3k miles a year. Maintenance and repairs were up to date inc IMS/RMS check clutch when I got it at 29K I do lube my rails and rub points seasonally but use solid silicone paste applied with q tips. I rub rubber lube on actual rubber seals, etc. Mike

Really great, I was hoping to tackle this job but was scared to remove the motors for fear that the roof wouldn�t line up correctly once reinstalled. was it hard to line up the motors with the cable on reinstal?

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It's my daily driver. I worked on the roof because it couldn't open or close without me manually pushing really hard. In the winter I don't open the Targa roof at all. In the summer I open it maybe 10 times per month. I'm not near the coast and don't see any effect from salt fog. I'm not sure what you mean by "How much a factor do you think it added to operational maintenance?"

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I manually slid the roof until it was open the original 6 inches. It seemed straight. I just put the motors in without thinking about aligning the gears to the drive belt. The teeth are small, so they don't have to move much to mesh with the belt.

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you replied, "don't see any effect from salt fog". I'm not sure what you mean by "How much a factor do you think it added to operational maintenance? but I would assume, I haven't seen full Roof maintenance section in Workshop manual, but have owned many P Cars and MB with these small motors and drive mechanisms, and adding grease/lubricant not hardly ever mentioned other than tracks and cables. I have had to do what you describe though to save the life of the roof drivetrain. Cable driven Cabriolets, my 944S2 comes as example. Grease gets dried up, or possible moisture contamination. You provided us w/ great info I haven't seen anywhere else. I find also searching the other forums, like you, is the best way to gather additional information on maintenance on the roof. Among other things. Glass Targa Ownership , like a Cabrio adds additional upkeep to maintain it in good working order. Mike

Up to this point I haven't done any maintenance on the roof, unless you call the following maintenance: Every year for the past five years (I've had the car for 10 years), after the roof has remained closed for a few months, the roof just starts to open, then stops after moving about a quarter of an inch. This is because the rubber seal at the back end has gotten struck to the glass. I have to move the glass as far as it goes under motor power, get out of the car, and use my fingers to pull the rubber seal away from the glass.

What do you clean them with ? is it leaving a residue that acts w moisture ? rubber should never stick as a wear/seal surface. Is there a residue possibly from Car Wash (service or product) use ? I've used seal dressing ,Gummi Pledge for 20+ years, great for front seals on Cabriolets, rubber strips like rear one Targa anywhere there is interaction contact w rubber interface. Sticking seals will break movement drivetrain, . now it makes more sense. Gummi Pledge something that you can get from BMW dealer, but here is retail product. movie. Lots of people have good luck also w 303 , I can't comment on it, but it is synthetic I'm assuming . Mike https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jrXyt1TC88

I hadn't cleaned my rubber seal with anything. It stuck a lot less after releasing for the season. The Gummi Pflege (Rubber Care) product is good to know about. I'll have to try it out.

Today I received a used electric motor assembly for the Targa top. I cleaned out the gunk between the teeth on the external metal gear. I popped the rear hatch, yanked out the rear rug panel, and unscrewed the right-side motor-mounting bolts. I was unable to pull out the motor assembly because it was stuck there by the external gear in the rear. I then closed the hatch, barely started opening the Targa glass, and stopped there. From the inside I manually popped open the rear hatch. I didn't unhook the battery and nothing bad happened. I was then able to remove the old motor and install the replacement. After everything was back together, the pop-pop-pop noise is gone when opening and closing the Targa glass roof. I inspected the clutch on the old motor and didn't see any wear. The metal gear on the old motor had worn spots on few teeth, so that's probably what the noise was.

Hi there. I think i might have the same problem with my 996 Targa. Yesterday the glass-roof didnt want to close proper on the drivers side. It�s like 3-4 mm open. When i try to close it , it goes really slow and i can hear a "cracking" sound on the drivers side when it tries to push up the roof to fixed position. When I open it it goes really smooth from closed position, but when its almost open i can hear a "cracking" sound there to. Think its the cable thats malfunctioning?

Btw. Can you manually move the glass-roof with the emergency operation without "reprogramming" the motors?

Hi there, I do have the same problem with the motors not being able to slide the glass roof without assistance from me either pushing or pulling. I have had the motors out previously and have lubricated along the same lines as you did. What I was wondering though is there any benefit from trying to remove the fabrics curtains on the sides that hide the track mechanism to do any further lubrication? I can�t work out how to release these however and was wondering if anybody has bothered or knows how this is done. cheers, David

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I made a short video for another Rennlister on how to remove the fabric trim guide. I'll PM you the link.

Hi Idaho911, received your PM. Thanks so much for sending through. Will tackle the job on the weekend. cheers David

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Could you PM me that link as well? I replaced the gears on my roof motors, but now the roof is low on driver's side. It won't budge. I'll try to use the emergency tools to get it open, which I have done with the help of my son. Hopefully the roof cables weren't damaged by the worn gears. Thanks.

Hi Idaho911, Im a new member here and would also appreciate a copy of your video please. I have a 2007 4S with roof issues and would like to give it a go. Thanks

Time to service my Targa roof too. Idaho, can you hit me with the link too please, or maybe post it up if that's easier and you're agreeable! DrMems, THanks for the great info. Every little bit helps with these cars. I hear they only made about 5K of them world wide. Hope you all are doing well and enjoying your cars! Kurt

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Hello Great article and information about the Targa roof issues. Is it possible to get a copy of your trim fabric removal video please. I suspect I have the same issue. Thank you, Kul

Here you guys go. If you need other specifics, let me know. You Tube

Awesome vid. Big thanks Idaho911, this is great. I don't suppose you have any more photos/info on how to get access to the runner channels to help free up the gunk that is no doubt built up over the years. Thanks in advance again Kul