[astroede]

I have had a mysterious and annoying rattle coming from the dashboard area of my '94 Cabriolet. I had not been able to find the source of the rattle. I have also had some wind noise on the left side of my folding top at higher speeds, and yesterday I noticed that I could stop the wind noise if I pulled down on the folding top header while I was driving. I also noticed that the "clamp" mechanism on the left side was loose. So tonight I opened the top, took the plastic header piece off (5 screws), and discovered that of the 6 bolts that hold down the clamps, ALL were a little-to-very loose and one was missing! I purchased a new bolt at the hardware store to replace the missing bolt, and I tightened up all the others.

Would you believe, not only did the wind noise go away, but the mysterious "dashboard" rattle is completely gone, and the interior is much quieter and "tighter" feeling overall. The clamps now have a very positive feel. What a difference! If you own a cab, I recommend that you check this out! This is a very easy fix with big results. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Happy Motoring! AJ

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[flash]

oh yeah - that top rail gets loose - also, take a look at the sheet metal that the latch is fastened to - it gets bent, causing less gasket pressure than is optimal

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[rxter]

Great tip - thanks AJ.

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[smshirk]

Does anyone else have trouble with the angle of the top wrench? I have the hardest time getting it closed completely.

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[rxter]

Yes. And believe it or not there is a sidedness to the wrenches. I thought initially that there were just 2 as they look similar. Bit if you use a flashlight you can see that one of them lines up better than the other. WOuld have been nice to put a R or L or some indicator on there.

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[astroede]

Wow, I did not realize that the wrenches are different! I thought I just had two of the same. Learn something new about my 968 every day! Thx!

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[lbpesq]

I just leave the wrenches in all the time. They fit VERY snuggly and were actually a little difficult to install and remove. Now the whole process of raising/lowering the top is easier and, as a result, I drive more often with the top down on short trips. And I have more room in the center console compartment.



Bill

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[flash]

i've never noticed them fitting differently, so either mine are the same, or the coin has always come up tails

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[Langley968]

Mine also must L and R, since they fit better one way than the other! The latching system in the 968 must be my "least favorite" part of the car.



Thanks for the "tip" AJ. I have tightened and replaced some screws on the plastic header, but I did not remove it and inspect the latching system.

I will do that when I detail the inside later this week in preparation for the "hibernation" period.

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[Niner]

Are you guys saying there are supposed to be 2 top wrenches? I only have one - but that would explain why one side is difficult to close.



And the latching system is my least favorite part also.

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[rxter]

I am going to check these out tonight to make sure that I am not imaging this, but I am pretty sure that wrenches are 180 degrees opposed. That's why the plastic handle gouges the header. If you try to jam the "wrong" one in there you can make it fit because the metal rod to slot is identical, but at the expense of the header.

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[rxter]

OK so it looks like I was wrong. These pictures clearly show that the 2 handles are identical. Next time I have the top up I'm going to investigate a little more to see why I thought there was a difference.



Beware of potential for snap oversteer when using - these are taildragger parts <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />









       



And, if you need one I found this ebay seller - looks pretty cheap at this point. $50 at DCauto.



http://cgi.ebay.com/...8-/300504126385

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[astroede]

Mine are also identical. I have never noticed a difference in "feel" between the two handles.

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[flash]

lol - i think rxter has to stop buying his weed from the gardener and start getting it from a reputable dealer, like the one at the local elementary school

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[rxter]

Prop 19 will solve most of my problems.

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[flash]

lol - put down the bong - that prop failed

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