987.1 convertible top - Plastic cover?

Hey All, I was inspecting my top today to make sure it’s seating properly when it goes up. As some will know, the elastics can get worn and it goes out of alignment on the way up. I was also clearing the drains and making sure water flows through them - to avoid the dreaded repairs when water enters the cabin (been there, not fun). Here is my question: I found a random plastic cover over top of where the drain is, on the driver side only. I’ve attached a couple of pics. Can anyone tell me what this is? Is it necessary? It fits kind of oddly and isn’t there on the other side. The reason I’m asking is that the driver side of the roof sometimes doesn’t close fully; the car says it’s down, but the metal top cover isn’t flush with the rest of the body (but it is on the passenger side). Anyone who knows what this and how it should fit please let me know! Cheers

Hi Lindy, that's a cover. See pics, item 34, part number 987 561 445/6 00. Attaches to item 15. Helps keep canvas away from mechanical stuff.

Thanks a lot. So if it’s just sitting in the cavity where the top folds down, it’s broken off... haha. I’ll see about re-attaching it (although it’s probably broken off so I may need to order a new one now.

34, (34), left and right side. They just snap on, easy install. I clean mine once in a while but no type of dressing!! Gotta keep that top clean. Speaking of, I use 303 cleaner and fabric guard to maintain.

Update on this! Turns out both of these had broken off at some point and none of the three different mechanics that worked on it bothered to replace them. Called a dealer today and they are easy to get a hold of, an cost only about $20 each. And yes, they snap onto place. I’ve noticed some slight wear on the rear shoulders of the top, perhaps that’s due to missing covers. Thank you all again for chiming in on this!

Red top - that is BOLD! Thanks for the reminder, I’ve not treated my top in a while and it makes perfect sense. 303 has tons of great stuff..

Very nice👍👍 Really like the way the Crest jumps out of your steering wheel. I guess I should update my profile to show '08 RS60. Came as is, except clear side markers and GT3 LCA 's. Planning some other mods this year. You're sporting some nice mods. Been thinking of an ecu tune with ipd and throttle body. I have PSE so it breathes fairly well. Are you pleased with your tune? Must admit, about 7600 miles ago installed upgraded 3.4l with nickie sleeves, larger main bearings and journals, JE pistons, ARP bolts on rod caps and an LN Engineering IMS solution. Some other stuff like chain tensioners and what not. Time to make some power!

Thanks! A friend is a pro photographer, he did a shoot one (very early) morning. RS60! That’s a rare bird. Clear markers are key... I have them as well. I love the mods this car has; truth be told the original owner did most of them, and he had impeccable taste. I need to get in touch with the shop that does the tuning, it was a Porsche affiliated shop. If can find out what the specific ECU mods were... but it was done at the time of as-new purchase. To be honest, I have driven base Boxsters (a bit slow), but this is the only S. It is very quick. With the sport exhaust it’s breathing very well, and the short shifter is snappy and buttery. It reminds me of my old Mini Cooper S (the original reboot). Short throws and very sharp. The suspension mods lower it about 20 mm and it’s much stiffer than stock. I think it’s Bilstein but I’ll confirm. Basically it tracks well enough that I don’t want to push it close to the limit on city roads (I’ve pushed it hard and it’s still not anywhere close to the limit of grip, running Michelin Pilot Super Sports ). I’m quite pleased and it’s not track focused but it’s very capable! I’ll see if the shop that did the tuning will let me get it on the dyno and see how it’s performing. I don’t do many hard sprint 0-60 runs because, well, it’s manual and I don’t want the strain on the clutch. But I’d imagine it’s close to 5 seconds even.

Nice!! Those plastic guards are a little tricky to install, but I'm sure you'll get it. Unfortunately, even with the guards in place some wear shows on each side. I had to put the new elastic to keep the canvas tracking correctly, but all good now. Enjoy the ride!

I have a follow up question if anyone can help. Looking at the same diagram part number 31 is causing some issues when my top goes up and down. It seems to be spinning and when it’s in the proper position, my top goes up and down smoothly, but when it spins in the wrong position it’s catching on one of the operating rods as it tracks forwards and backwards in the track. I was toying with using double sided Velcro to hold this plastic washer (which is what I understand it is) in place? Any advice on how to fix this correctly? I imagine I’m doing something wrong as it doesn’t seem to me that Porsche would design this piece to spin and then be problematic in certain positions?

Welcome. Please do a new member introduction post, tell us about your car, yourself and please, please include photos. Now to the matter at hand. Part #31 cover attaches to part #1 transmission, on my 2008, is just squeezed in place by part #9. Prevented from spinning with a pin (red) on the transmission and a hole (green) in the cover, see photo. It also helps very much when posting questions to always include as much information on your car: year, model, trim, mods etc. . . Hope this is helpful and please update progress. Eyes up, look ahead.

Well if you aren’t both knowledgeable and helpful! Thank you! I will drop in a little more info as instructed. This is my second Porsche I call it my go kart. It’s a 2005 987 S 6 speed. It’s my Porsche that I am willing to drive downtown. I also have a 997.1TT 2007. Love Porsches and appreciate the help!

My pleasure. Awesome cars! Now put all that in your introduction, with photos. This forum is full of helpful folks that know so much more than I . This is one of the few things I know fairly well. Ask me how? Had to rebuild both of the convertible top transmissions. Replaced the broken plastic gears with aluminum. By doing this I also removed a failure point that may have been, by design, a sacrificial part? I kept the push rod, part #4, plastic cups. Need a sacrificial part somewhere! The information and diagrams are for a 2008 Boxster . Hopefully same as yours. Attached is the full 2008 987 Katalog. Hope this helps. Eyes up, look ahead.

Okay, never done one of these these forums before. I went in and added a short bio, automobiles and a bit of info. Hope I did it right! follow up question- I am not seeing a pin nor Annie place for a pin as you showed in the plastic washer that sits between the actual operating mechanism and the arms that spin. What’s occurring with mine as as the arm spin they’re actually catching that plastic plate and twisting it, which is causing the corner of that plastic plate to get in the way of the horizontal track that the clamshell tracks on. 1st- any idea why this is happening? I’ve looked very closely and there’s no place for a pin that I can find. It seems like a silly design to have the unit catching on that plastic plate and twisting it. Does this mean something is bent as it’s happening on both sides. As long as I make sure that plate is out of the way the opening and closing operation is flawless. I need to find a way to keep that plate from twisting. 2nd- how do I fix this or solve this problem. I added a couple pictures but hard to get the correct angle… these photos show both sides and show that the arm is rubbing hard against that plate, which is causing it to twist.

In all images, I have straightened the plate by twisting it by hand or in certain instances by utilizing a tool such as a flathead screwdriver.

In all images, I have straightened the plate by twisting it by hand or in certain instances by utilizing a tool such as a flathead screwdriver to twist it. Seems to me that all that should need to happen is to find a way to keep that plate from spinning, but it’s possible that somebody has taken this whole thing apart in the past and put it back together incorrectly, causing the arms to rub on that plate?

Hum? I've attached photos of mine. Looks quite different. The lever (part #9) length/configuration and attaching bolt (part #34). We may help with this one. I've found actual photos of the washer (part #31/987 561 589 00), but in two configurations! See my fuzzy attachment. Mine is the one on the left. Yours appears to be the one on the right? I saw a transmission repair video that looks exactly like yours. The washer (part #31) appears to only be held place with the lever (part #9)! Sorry, I'm at a loss as well.

As this is an older tread, might be a good idea to, unfortunately, start a new one in the 987 problems/concerns area. Copy, paste and edit your initial post here (#12 in this thread), may be the way to go? I think you can download and include the image in my initial reply (#13 this thread) for others to reference. Hopefully you downloaded the 987 Katalog. Although it is 2008, should still be helpful. You can find the photos I used on page 281. I've searched the site and can't find anything on this issue. Dang. When you get it sorted, please update me here, unless I happen to find the new tread. I would really like to understand what is going on! Eyes up, look ahead

@Go Kart , I reached out to the folks at Pelican Parts in there transmission rebuild thread. Let you know if anything comes of it. Have you posted here in 987 problems/concerns? As I can't find it, if you have. But that's probably me LOL.

@Go Kart , Pelican was a bust!