2008 convertible top issue
Thread Starter
AutoX
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 12
Likes: 3
2008 convertible top issue
Recentley purchased a 2008 RS60 and I am having issues with the passenger side push rod ball joint end. After 10-12 cycles the ball joint breaks and needs to be replaced.
Any suggestions as to how to fix this issue would be welcomed.
Thanks
Any suggestions as to how to fix this issue would be welcomed.
Thanks
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,998
Likes: 380
From: Chicago Area
Have you replaced the plastic ball joint repeatedly, and it continues to break after these cycles? If so, then the ball joint may either not be at the right length on the push rod as aligned originally, or other portions of the top mechanism are binding.
I would try lubricating all the parts that you can see to make sure that it’s operating as smoothly as possible. I would also look to see if there’s any indication on the push ride itself of exactly how far down the ball joint was originally screwed.
That said I do find that mine breaks the same one about every two years on that side, but that’s after going up hundreds of times.
it’s hard to tell if these pushrods are in their original configuration, not bent unusually. One suggestion might be to replace the entire push ride ball joint assembly, which is rather expensive but could be a source of the problem as well.
Hope this helps.
I would try lubricating all the parts that you can see to make sure that it’s operating as smoothly as possible. I would also look to see if there’s any indication on the push ride itself of exactly how far down the ball joint was originally screwed.
That said I do find that mine breaks the same one about every two years on that side, but that’s after going up hundreds of times.
it’s hard to tell if these pushrods are in their original configuration, not bent unusually. One suggestion might be to replace the entire push ride ball joint assembly, which is rather expensive but could be a source of the problem as well.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by Dave in Chicago; Jun 19, 2025 at 10:36 AM.
Thread Starter
AutoX
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 12
Likes: 3
Have you replaced the plastic ball joint repeatedly, and it continues to break after these cycles? If so, then the ball joint may either not be at the right length on the push rod as aligned originally, or other portions of the top mechanism are binding.
I would try lubricating all the parts that you can see to make sure that it’s operating as smoothly as possible. I would also look to see if there’s any indication on the push ride itself of exactly how far down the ball joint was originally screwed.
That said I do find that mine breaks the same one about every two years on that side, but that’s after going up hundreds of times.
it’s hard to tell if these pushrods are in their original configuration, not bent unusually. One suggestion might be to replace the entire push ride ball joint assembly, which is rather expensive but could be a source of the problem as well.
Hope this helps.
I would try lubricating all the parts that you can see to make sure that it’s operating as smoothly as possible. I would also look to see if there’s any indication on the push ride itself of exactly how far down the ball joint was originally screwed.
That said I do find that mine breaks the same one about every two years on that side, but that’s after going up hundreds of times.
it’s hard to tell if these pushrods are in their original configuration, not bent unusually. One suggestion might be to replace the entire push ride ball joint assembly, which is rather expensive but could be a source of the problem as well.
Hope this helps.
With both push rods disconnected the roof moves freely with no binding that I can see.
I see that there is an adjustment screw on the rod. I guess I'll play with that to see if it fixes the problem.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,998
Likes: 380
From: Chicago Area
Yes, I think the fine adjustment is how many threads down you screw the plastic ball joint onto the rod. I had to mark mine to keep it the same, not sure if I kept it exactly the same.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 87
Likes: 40
From: SE Michigan
I had the right-hand side ball joint break on my RS 60 last summer (the RS 60 part is just a coincidence, I'd bet the tops on all 987.1s are the same), and then the replacement also broke immediately after installation. Turns out the reduction gear inside the convertible top "transmission" on the left-hand side was broken, forcing the RH side mechanism to try to do all the work, overloading and breaking the RH side ball joint. After having the LH transmission replaced, the top goes up and down much more smoothly and quietly than it ever did before during my ownership.
The part in question is labeled "D" in the first photo in this article: https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...9EE-2ROSsMhuey
This may not be your problem, but something to consider.
The part in question is labeled "D" in the first photo in this article: https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...9EE-2ROSsMhuey
This may not be your problem, but something to consider.