neil.schneider

That would be great. Actually you are the best at taking close shots with the camera. Why not take some close ups holding a ruler on the gap in a few places?

Do you guys literally use a torque wrench each time you put the top on? If so where did you get one that could do this? My regular mechanic just said make it snug but not tight. He said lugs are put on a 90 lbs so this is roughly a third of that. I have undone lugs before so I do have some reference. I mean if porsche expects us to be so precise than there would have to be some tool a end user would have access to easily. That wrench they provide is fine but you can't measure torque with it.
Thanks,
Neil

Edgy01

The torque requirement is "34 ft lbs" but you don't have to really do that. I NEVER use that silly tool that is provided with the roofs. I only use the tool provided to remove the caps (other end of tool). Will try to fit the top on when I have some time later and shoot some shots.

neil.schneider

Thanks Dan.
So do you use a ratchet with an allen socket or just your hand. How do you know when it is tight enough.

Edgy01

Neil--I use a Craftsman 3/8 inch ratchet with the appropriate embedded allen socket. When I get it close to what I think is 34 lbs I put on my small 3/8 in drive torque wrench. (overkill, I know). It forces me to go through a series of steps that ensure all is right. I recall reading herein recently of a guy with a 996 who had recently procured a hardtop for his car and had NOT fastened the rear bolts. Nearly lost the entire thing at speed on the freeway. NOT a good thing. (I also torque my lug bolts --94 ft lbs.)

neil.schneider

What?

Are you saying he didn't tighten the bolts at all or they and they loosened on their own?

Edgy01

He forgot to even screw them in a little!

neil.schneider

Well, just returned from the track using the hardtop. I put it on as best I could and checked it during the day. I did notice that when tightening it down it did not have a spongy feeling. In other words it did not really feel like I was tightening it against some foam or pad.

Is that how yours feels, Dan.

Edgy01

Mine never has any give or play in it. When it is on, it is on. When I get a few minutes I will install mine and then measure the gaps at key positions for you and post same.

neil.schneider

Dan,
Do you think you could see how many threads are visible above the main tightening screw, before you tighten it down?
Thanks,
Neil

Edgy01

I will photograph the top in place and leave a measuring tool in the shot. When I remove the top again I will inspect the threads.

neil.schneider

Thanks Dan, any help would be great.

Edgy01

I'll try to shoot that with the measurements on Tuesday. (Been tied up).

Edgy01

Here's a little bit of measuring of a factory prepared hardtop. I measured and shot at two different locations. First, a shot just aft of the rear quarter window, and then at the rear junction between the hardtop and clam shell at the point where the vertical rubber strip is, and the horizontal metal (black painted) trim strip is. [will measure the threads tomorrow when I pull off the top.]

KeninBlaine

Dan: You're the only person I know that would have an electronic gauge like that. As usual, your thoroughness is unmatched.

VGM911

I suppose I understand the desire to install the hard-top to create a coupe-like feel inside the car (quieter, etc.). And I guess I understand that the car looks pretty cool with the hard-top installed.

What I'm not sure about is why the winter season would give an owner a reason to install a hard-top. Is it to keep the interior of the car warmer? Is it to protect the soft-top from salt? Some other reason?

I have a Boxster and I intend to use it as a daily driver through all four seasons here in New Jersey. Would that be a mistake? Thanks, guys.