[redhorse]

<!--quoteo(post=67934:date=Mar 3 2009, 11:03 AM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Mar 3 2009, 11:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->yeah - seemed decent to me - then at least the guy can have the kits ready for everybody - apparently welding doesn't last long (crappy metal), and so the repair kit makes a lot of sense<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

What is the latest on this activity? I have a broken passenger side main bow and am about to start interior renovation. It would be great to have a repair solution in hand soon.

Also, I am curious about why manual mode operation eliminates the breakage problem. One prevailing opinion about why the breakage occurs seems to be that the 'motors are out of sync' thereby inducing a twist or tortion on the frame assembly. That's interesting because it seems to me that manual operation really applies a lot of torque twist to the top. My top was already broken when I bought the car, so I do not have a reference for how the electric top worked, but when I lower it manually there is a lot of movement difference side-to-side while the top is going up and then down to the open resting position. Seems that imbalance would cause a lot of stress on one or both sides therefore increasing the likelyhood of a snapped main bow. Maybe in my case the inconsistency is caused by the broken bow; however, if that is the case then it is also a clear indication that the main bow is subjected to a lot of stress even when operated manually.

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[flash]

there is really no twist when in manual mode, because only the weight of the assembly is applied, and not mechanical force - it really moves VERY freely and evenly normally

i think you are absolutely right in that the movement you see is due to the broken bow, which transfers the entire load to one side

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[redhorse]

<!--quoteo(post=71246:date=May 2 2009, 02:54 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ May 2 2009, 02:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->there is really no twist when in manual mode, because only the weight of the assembly is applied, and not mechanical force - it really moves VERY freely and evenly normally

i think you are absolutely right in that the movement you see is due to the broken bow, which transfers the entire load to one side<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

And, is there any progress in terms of that company making a repair kit?

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[jimb968]

<!--quoteo(post=71246:date=May 2 2009, 12:54 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ May 2 2009, 12:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->there is really no twist when in manual mode, because only the weight of the assembly is applied, and not mechanical force - it really moves VERY freely and evenly normally

i think you are absolutely right in that the movement you see is due to the broken bow, which transfers the entire load to one side<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think my passenger side bow is split. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif[/img]

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[flash]

since saturday?

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[blue968]

the bow broke on my cab as well and had it welded about 4 years ago for 75 dollars and have not had a problem since.

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[jimb968]

<!--quoteo(post=80575:date=Sep 23 2009, 12:57 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Sep 23 2009, 12:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->since saturday?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No, I think it was broken before that, but I didn't realize it until I looked at the picture at the start of this thread. I need to pull the canvas from that area and take a look, but I'm fairly certain that's what it is. I tried putting the top up with the boot on ... again and then heard a pop. I guess I'll need to get it off and find some welder to reinforce it and get it back together.

<!--quoteo(post=80578:date=Sep 23 2009, 01:43 PM:name=blue968)-->QUOTE (blue968 @ Sep 23 2009, 01:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->the bow broke on my cab as well and had it welded about 4 years ago for 75 dollars and have not had a problem since.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Was it hard to get the bow off?

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[flash]

welding does not generally work - there are quite a few who have tried and regretted it - it's a fluke if it does work, and you need to run right out and buy a lottery ticket - if you do weld it, if the weld breaks, it takes out the top with it - i suppose it depends on exactly where the break is when you weld it, but having see the material, i'm not terribly confident about the success - you definitely would want to stay in manual mode after that

there is a guy who said he would build a kit to fix it, having done it before, but he wants an outrageous amount to do it, even though he would be able to sell them later

if it's broken, i'd poke around for a used one

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[jimb968]

<!--quoteo(post=80614:date=Sep 24 2009, 11:50 AM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Sep 24 2009, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->welding does not generally work - there are quite a few who have tried and regretted it - it's a fluke if it does work, and you need to run right out and buy a lottery ticket - if you do weld it, if the weld breaks, it takes out the top with it - i suppose it depends on exactly where the break is when you weld it, but having see the material, i'm not terribly confident about the success - you definitely would want to stay in manual mode after that

there is a guy who said he would build a kit to fix it, having done it before, but he wants an outrageous amount to do it, even though he would be able to sell them later

if it's broken, i'd poke around for a used one<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
when I'm asking for the part, it's the "main bow" on the passenger side? Should that describe it enough?

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[banditsc]

Left: 941.561.201.11
Right: 941.561.202.11

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[jimb968]

<!--quoteo(post=80619:date=Sep 24 2009, 01:36 PM:name=banditsc)-->QUOTE (banditsc @ Sep 24 2009, 01:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Left: 941.561.201.11
Right: 941.561.202.11<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Left, right, sitting in the car?

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[banditsc]

That's how Porsche puts it in the PET diagrams, L or R. Right would be the passenger side.

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[jimb968]

<!--quoteo(post=80622:date=Sep 24 2009, 01:40 PM:name=banditsc)-->QUOTE (banditsc @ Sep 24 2009, 01:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->That's how Porsche puts it in the PET diagrams, L or R. Right would be the passenger side.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ok thanks. I made my first call on the part, they said no bows, I can get the complete top mechanism for $2k....I felt serious heart palpitations!

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[flash]

be patient - they pop up

how's the canvas, stitching, and back window?

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[jimb968]

<!--quoteo(post=80624:date=Sep 24 2009, 01:56 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Sep 24 2009, 01:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->be patient - they pop up

how's the canvas, stitching, and back window?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Back window is discolored and some of the stitching is gone.

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[banditsc]

Try Sunset Porsche, from what I recall the new price was pretty close to the used prices out there. Sounds like you in for a top to, it requires a little disassembly of the top anyways to replace the bow. And when you fix it, put it in manual mode and leave it there.....

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[josephsc]

What are these parts on eBay?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=120433012201
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=120433013800

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[flash]

if that's the case, then going to the guy here might make sense - but you're going to be in for about $2k by the time you get out the door - he does nice work though

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[sksail]

it was not that hard to fix the bow myself. I got the bow from sunset ($700) It took about 4 hours to do. Let me know if you have any questions.

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[redhorse]

<!--quoteo(post=80640:date=Sep 24 2009, 09:51 PM:name=sksail)-->QUOTE (sksail @ Sep 24 2009, 09:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->it was not that hard to fix the bow myself. I got the bow from sunset ($700) It took about 4 hours to do. Let me know if you have any questions.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I need to replace one, and have part in hand...just have not gotten to it. Did you take any pictures by any chance, of the approach you used? I have been hoping that I could replace it without too much deconstruction of the top, and if I read your post correctly, that is what you are saying?

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