Hardtop & Clutch

Just some quick questions I put my hardtop on today. I have an 03 cab and i noticed i didn't have those little plastic pieces that go into the holes before the spikes from the hardtop go in. I have the pieces that cover the holes.. but not those little sleeve things. Is this new for 2003 or did i just get short changed by the dealer?? Also, there seems to be a 1/2 inch gap where the rear windscreen meets the car. It seems a bit much, but i might be wrong. No rattles or anything out of the ordinary.. all the windows shut properly.. Clutch: I took the car for some high speed runs today in the country side... When i got home i noticed the clutch was squeaking a bit... Anyone else notice this after hooning around?? thanks Chucksta

I've had two 996 cabs, don't know what plastic pieces you could be talking about. The only removable plastic pieces I have are the round ones that go into the holes... Yep, there is a gap where the HT meets the body in the back. Not had the clutch squeak... Good luck. Roy

Here are the pieces you are talking about. First winter I did not have these on . I found them under the passenger seat???? I don't think they affect anything but perhaps protect the part of the car the h'top rests on....and RWO is correct. There is a gap in the rear. That is normal and does make a tight, solid seal.

Hey Don, That's odd, I have not had mine off... Mine were on when I bought the car and I have never removed them.

You mean that you have them still on when the top is down (or up) and the plugs are in the hole over the inserts?

Yep, mine are on all the time; HT on or off, soft top up or down, with the plugs in... Until I saw your post, I did not realize that they came out... Roy

If anyone has a spare one please do tell...... I can only find one :-(

Berny, have you considered buying or ordering one? Part No. 996.563.421.01 Also maybe someone who has a Cab w/o the harttop got these pieces???

Don: Where on earth are these plastic pieces? Are they hidden somewhere in the car? It looks like they protect the fabric from those dangerous looking spikes on the hardtop thanks again chucksta

FYI, both of my Cabs came without the HT and both came with the plastic pieces... Roy

Don: Yes I guess I will order one. But I am still not convinced they serve a purpose. Worse still, I don't think they are a very good fit. Probably the reason why they fell off in the first place. For those that don't know, I did Loren's soft-top-on-the-move modification see http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=38 and found one of these little gizmos in my rear cab compartment. From my experience the part that really gets the damage is the back parcel shelf which easily gets scratched from trying to gouge the little round pieces out with the big red key. I have never caused any damage with the hard top spikes despite placing the bloody top on and forgetting to take them plastic round pieces out. Surely you guys must have done this too. But I have managed to scratch the back shelf with that key.

Chucksta, I think I recall them under my seat??? but maybe they were in my storage bin. They must have fallen off or something when the dealer prepped the car and he stored them. I bought the car new and never knew what they were until Loren Cook helped me out. I've never used them with the hardtop on and I don't see any marks where the top fits on. I'm guessing it's for a protective guide when the posts come down and also to protect the metal from the fabric. Who knows!

Hi, depends were the noise comes from: 1) If it comes from the actual clutch pedal, it's just a matter of taking it to the dealer and they'll put a little lubricant on the pedal while you have a coffee. 2) If it comes from behind/outside, then it's the lever that acts on the release bearing and disengages the clutch. That shouldn't happen on an 03 car, as they have modified it a couple of years ago. About a morning's job to fix. Cheers Uwe