996 Rear Plastic Window Seperating from Cab Top

My 01 996 Cab's rear plastic window is seperating from the middle top area of the fabric top. I spoke to the dealer about this, thay said they can install a brand new rear window ($1,300.00) I think. My question is, can someone reseal or reheat the plastic window and get the window/top to look ok again, or am I destined to spead $1,300 at the dealer for a new window. Any help would be greatly appriciated.

My dealer in Atlanta said there was no way to repair this. He sent me to a independent upholstery shop where I had an entire new top installed for $1900. German, but not OEM. Only difference between the two is that this aftermarket top has stitching around the rear window .... as well as the factory glue job.

Def get it sewn in after it is installed. But $1300 sounds insane for JUST the window! The window (from Porsche) is something like $450. So they want to charge you $850 for installation??? I had my to replace (and window) last year and would just need to dig up my reciept. I bought the parts from an out of state dealer and had my local dealer do the install.

The dealers send the cars out to an upholstery shop....My Boxster had a new window done for $350...My 996 needs one but I may go for a whole new top....If not a place down the street from my office restores Porsches and they can do it for under $500.

Hey, Dell, what the hell? A newbie... first post... and all we know is he has a n '01 cab with a window problem, and you didn't ask him for an intro? What seems to be the problem? You too caught up in "dumpster diving" these days to make any waves? D-Train - it is customary for newbies to introduce themselves and tell us a little about their cars and post a pic! Maybe post up a pic of your car and the problem spot? Anyway, welcome to the best Porsche site on the 'net! Sorry about the window problem. I would recomment taking it to an upholstry shop to see what they have to say. They may be able to re-glue it then sew the entire perimiter of the window. My sister had the rear window replaced in her soft top (not a Porsche) by an upholstry shop for $200. FYI

You can always try these guys. I've heard good thing about their products. http://www.gahh.com/996-cabriolet-20..._339_2991.html

Tim....I didn't even notice it! #*!@#&~^&*$%@#$ Alright, everybody stop posting until we get an intro and pics! *the crowd chants*.....pics, pics, pics, pics, pisc, pics, pics.....

Now THAT"S the Dell we have all come to know and love!

I must be slipping. Thanks for keeping me in check

We know that you are getting ready to exit "Sand City" to come to a place where the landscape is green, so we can cut you a little slack!

I've been doing some research as well on cab tops as mine will need replacing soon. Got local quotes in the $1800 range(incl. headliner)...so for $500 more, u might as well get the entire top done at the same time unless its in great shape.

I had a new plastic window stitched on my still very good OEM top 2 years ago and it is holding up very well. It was less than $500 and most of it was labor. Thay had to remove the top in order to stitch the window.

Paraphrasing the TSB #4/05 dated June 25, 2004 "Convertible Rear Window Bonding Loose" If the bonding seam of the rear window has only detached from the convertible-top covering in one place, the area of detachment is no longer than 10mm and no other bonding points on the inside of the convertible-top covering are loose, the bonding of the rear window can be rewelded. Otherwise the flexible rear window has to be replaced. If the bond of the fold or the zipper has detached, the convertible top covering must be replaced by the convertible top covering with a sewn-in flexible rear window. With MY02 Porsche switched to a stitched rear window?

I promise to post some photos tomorrow. I stopped by a speed shop yesterday and mentioned the stiching suggestion, and he just kind of looked at me and said oh I guess that would work. His suggestion was glue from a glue gun. Where / how do I find someone local to do the stiching and do they need to take the top off. The area in question still has a good seal from the plastic to the interior of the top, it is the exterior of the top staying down on the flexible window. Thanks for the help

It is the issue you describe, exterior top flap coming un-glued from the area surrounding the plastic window ... that is the subject of the TSB, and the issue I had also. There was no actual leak from outside to inside, either wind or rain. As the TSB says, if it is a short enough span, the flap can be glued .... otherwise, no go. Mine was unglued along the complete bottom edge. Once it started, it looked like an airscoop while the car was moving, and spread rapidly. Both the upholstery shops I went to in the Atlanta area said they would have to remove the top, stitch around the entire window, and not guarantee the results. Cost estimates were approx. $600 .... all for labor. The shop the Porsche dealer sent me to put on the all new top for $1900. All things considered, I felt this to be the better move.

You should look for a good upholstery shop locally, especially one that specializes in convertible tops. If your top is in great condition, then all you need to replace is the window. They'll have to remove the top in order to glue and/or stitch the window to the top. You can't glue or stitch properly without removing the top. Believe me, it is really not rocket science. If you think about it, the job involves removing top, stitch a window (all 10-12ft perimeter with a quality thread) and replace top. I went with the stitching route since the original glue didn't hold it in place for too long. I had blue stitches on my blue top and a new plastic window. Turnaround time was a day. $1300 to $1800 is a lot compared to $500. Saved my money and bought a short shifter with change to spare . There are many convertible top upholstery shops here in So Cal and the prices are competitive. I even got to see the sewing machine they used but didn't meet the person who actually did the sewing.

Same problem with my MY00. I've spoken to 2 independent upholstery shops here in Atlanta so far and waiting to hear back from a third. Consensus so far is that the lifespan of a top is 6-9 years. Mine is 6 yrs old so the issue is whether to spend $500 on this one repair when I can get a whole new top for $1300. Other than the rear plastic window, can I anticipate any other issues with this design in the next few years, THAT is the question! If this is the only problem I have then the $500 repair is the way to go. Anybody have problems with their tops other than this window issue?

vette67 - someonw here (can't recall who it was) recently purchased a new top with the GLASS window from GAHH. Do a search on rear window and you will find the thread in about 1 minute. EDIT: OK, here is the link to the thread https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ht=rear+window

Agree to all of the above. I had the same dilemma about 1 month ago. The top was 6 years old. Patching it could have delayed the total top replacement by another 2 years. I went ahead and bought the new GAHH top with glass rear window. Do a search under my name and you'll find my updates (+pictures) on the replacement project. Total cost : 1,500 for top and 900 for install.

That was me. I'm also in Atlanta by the way. Feel free to PM me.

I just had my rear window replaced....my top was in excellent shape, installer didnt suggest a whole top....It was $500 for a complete new stitched in window and they cleaned my top, it looks like new....even got rid of some scratches in the top....I thought about the glass window, but an extra 2k for a glass window...not a priority for me....

Agreed... as long as there are no further repairs to be done in the next few years. If the lifespan is 6-9 years and ours are already 6 yrs old, then one might deduce that they will disintigrate over the next 3 years.

D-Train, I'm having a similar problem on my 01' cab, only the plastic window is seperating from the bottom center. I was considering changing the plastic window out to a glass rear window. Does anyone have info if this can be done? Newbee without Photos (as yet) SeaVoh

Holy Cow! SeaVoh is a member on his first post That's is rare around here. As for your issue with the top. You will need and ENTIRE top if you want the glass window. But if you just need the plastic window replaced you can keep your old top and have a new one burned in. Oh yeah, welcome aboard! ......now go start a thread introducing yourself with PICS!!!!

My since sold '99 did this 2 months out of warranty. Window puckered. Got new Porsche rear plastic for around $700 parts only. The issue was, according to the service advisor, that when they go to replace the window, the zipper often breaks. A broken zipper means a new canvas top. I claimed it on my extended warranty, which of course was one of the Warranty Gold policies that was really of no use. I also asked the DSM for a bit of help from Porsche seeing as the car was barely out of warranty (still under 30k miles too) and always garaged...typical response "no, we don't cover it"... I ate it. Window and new canvas. Next owner benefitted greatly.

There are numerous threads on this exact subject .... it happened to me and many others just as you describe. You can search here, and on RennTech for those threads covering possible repair and/or replacement of the entire top. Bottom line is that I have heard of no one replacing the plastic window (alone) with a glass one. GAHH does now market a 996 top with a glass window similar to the Boxsters. Last I heard, it was about $1900 + installation.

Kims996Cab, Kudos and thanks for the info on threads. One more simple inquery... What is GAHH and how do I contact them? Very New...Very Curious SeaVoh

GAHH is a manufacturer of aftermarket convertible tops. They make standard replacement tops and a 996 top with a glass back window that will fit early model 996s. Take a look at their Porsche line up here

Newport996, Exactly where is your place down the street that can replace your rear window for under $500.? I'm in South OC and am very interested in the Newport Beach shop. Thanks in advance for your help. SeaVoh

Its actually near my office in Hollywood, but my boxster window was redone by a shop in Newport Beach, but Newport Porsche payed for it so i dont know where it was...You can call Newport Porsche service and ask them for the number to the uphostery shop they use....i also know there was a shop in LaJolla that also did it for like $300...Alot of Boxster guys were going there.