Convertible Top | Ball Joints | Top Won't Move | Porsche Boxster (987.1 and 987.2) (2005 - 2012)

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

Have you tried this repair? Did your push rods break? Did the top break in any other way? Share your experiences below

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

deilenberger from Planet-9 says: A contributing cause for this failure can be the roof edges not being pulled down into the roof/window frame when the top is closed. That puts LOTS of extra stress on the entire mechanism, and as these are the first designed failure point - they're going to go first. If anyone hears any popping, or their top doesn't fully close so the rubber on the front edge is 1/8" or so from the windshield header - it's time to check the edge of the top is tucking correctly into the frame - both sides. Mine wasn't on the passenger side all the time, but I didn't notice it since I rarely go around that side of the car (except when washing it or something, seems like I should have noticed it - butttt - I'm old.. so..) Happily - we have a DIY for this issue: www.planet-9.com/threads/987-boxster-roof-elastics-replacement.253021/ See the post here: www.planet-9.com/threads/guides-for-987-1.253776/post-2211690

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

@ScottFentonfullbe6 says: "If you were able to leave both of the rods in place, screw on both of the new sockets and push both arms forward before snapping in one side. It gets a little trickier moving them around when the top is attached to on of the arms. " Thanks @ScottFentonfullbe6 for sharing!

[@g.dejong1594]

Mine pop-off on one side when opening. When the top is almost down and pushing in the storage space and the top lid closes the ball joint (plastic) pops off. Any Idea? Extending them a bit?

[@onkelmatt8601]

You saved my day - my roof failed following water damage just recently and I had to replace the top ball joints. However I found a prybar-less method to get the ball joint back on: With the roof closed, I managed to reach in from inside with my Knipex wrench pliers. (The water pump ones with "smooth" jaws) Access is limited but once you got them in you can just just squeeze the joint onto the ball.

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

I hope people see this comment in the future and it helps them. thanks for sharing

[@ScottFentonfullbe6]

Great! That crowbar move made me nervous. Now I just need to search "knipex wrench pliers."😋

[@Mcblatty]

Thanks for the video. I have just completed the fix. I ended up doing it slightly differently and it may help others. I took both rods off (thread was too tight to remove plastic ends in position). But when putting back i connected the ball joint first. Fully opening the roof exposes the balls quite well and then i simply used adjustable pliers to squeeze the socket on without much force. No crowbar against the body needed. Once both in place i could lift the roof to match the mechanism position and bolt the rods into place..

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

You rock, thank you for sharing

[@prebbleq]

How do you know the place/position where the top position matches and aligns with the mechanism? I completed this repair but top did not stop in the right place- it acted confused and then would not move.

[@charlstravels9352]

Thank you for this video! Fixed it by myself very easily

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

Heck yeah! anytime!

[@ScottFentonfullbe6]

Mine just snapped today at the beginning of the drive. It didn’t ruin my day, as I guessed it was a "designed to fail" event when I saw the broken plastic, but I can’t can’t say it didn’t nag at me through the day! Anyway, thanks for the great video. Wish me luck!

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

I'm just getting to these now but glad to hear it went well and retroactively good luck! Even though you didnt need it!

[@ScottFentonfullbe6]

Update: Thanks to you, I affected this repair today. One tip I’d add: if you were able to leave both of the rods in place, screw on both of the new sockets and push both arms forward before snapping in one side. It gets a little trickier moving them around when the top is attached to one of the arms. Seriously, can’t thank you (and your pops, I’m guessing, “ “Microfiber,” no “meecro-fibrée”😂”enough for your video. You saved me a ton of cash and hassle.

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

That is super to hear, and thanks for sharing! I've added your tip to the pinned comment so others see too. I stand by my pronunciation. 🤪

[@Anonymous-k5r3b]

I heard one side break. I went with an OEM rod and socket because I wasn't sure the replacement sockets on Amazon would be as durable. If it happens again I'll try an aftermarket socket. My crowbar easily popped the new socket onto the ball.

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

lucky! I was worried I was damaging the car because it was flexing..

[@user-fx8dy2fw5y]

great content

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

thank you 🙏

[@jaredbritt554]

Thanks bro keep them coming I got the bell on already

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

:' ] will do

[@jaredbritt554]

Yo so I installed the rods already. Is there a certain way to adjust the motors with the rods or just slap them on and everything should just operates as it should?

[@jeffreyroberts7438]

Brilliant!, I’ve got that problem now😝👍

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

No! Sorry to hear! But welcome to the channel!

[@danielsacht5130]

great video. I have the same problem with my 987. I want to unlock the top at the push of a button but the windows don't go down, the roof doesn't open, only the top compartment moves up and down no matter which direction I press. What would you say is that? Greetings from Germany Hamburg

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

If the car doesn't react, it sounds like a bad button or bad sensor for the lever, because the odds of the top AND the windows breaking at the same time is very low

[@FRCortex]

just changed 2 side rods with your video, thanks a lot ! but sadly the left side broked again after 1 open and close just 1 or 2 inch before reaching full close... maybe i have an issue with something making force on rods... any idea ?

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

Yeah, sounds like something might be stuck at one point in the mechanism or the tie rods are not calibrated properly (one side is threaded on too much)

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

need to take a look at it and see

[@cjbarber1094]

what size rims do you have on your boxster? also awesome video

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

19” Techarts thank you for the kind words!

[@PrebbleramswellDestin]

My ball joints broke with top down. How do I get the top up to fix it?

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

You can use the button to raise the lid, and once the lid is raised, manually lift the top and that should give you access. Careful please when holding the button, might suggest pulsing it, and checking that the push rods that are now detached don’t get stuck on anything and cause damage

[@prebbleq]

@@RuslanVideoFilms It wouldn't budge. The rods had blocked the ability of the top to move, I had to crowbar them up and out of the way. Now everything is together and aligned but top seems to think it is in a different position. Now it is closed and won't open at all. I am going to have to start over and try and figure out what is wrong.

[@renesanchez5333]

Are you located in California?

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

South Carolina