Convert. Top Repair

[Jeffrman]

I have a 1997 Boxster. The convert. top has stopped working. I brought it to a dealer and they said:
1) The L/S Transmission needs replacing
2) Both transmissions must be replaced
3) The drip tray needs replacing
Total Cost $2500 plus tax
Since I just replaced brakes and the car works well, Do I have any less expensive options. Can I get parts anywhere else? How much should I spend? If I could get the parts for less, I probably could find someone to do the work. Any help is appreciated

[Alienz]

DO not fall into the trap! It will probably cost less $200 to fix your top. Come to http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php? for help.

[busa_4]

this is porsche. no such thing as a 200.00 repair. as a porsche tech all those parts listed above need to be replaced. your transmissions need to be in time and there was probably some damage to both trannies when they went out of time. most common problem is one of the tranny cables fail causing your top to only move on one side damaging everything. your drip tray was probably punctured from the top frame components. if that drip tray is damaged and not replaced water will leak onto the driver and passenger floor. under the drivers seat the immobilizer sits and if that gets wet there is no strting your car. you will have to spend about 800.00 just to get your car running again. plus the tow bill.

[Alienz]

There used to be a hole in my drip pan and cost me $1800 in all to fix. THey had to replace the anti-theft unit. If your trannies are not stripped then you DON'T need to replace them. Yes the cables might be bad, a lot of people have problems with them and they can easily be replaced. I fixed my top for about $300. Timing the top is the easiest part, you just need to know what you are doing. That link I gave you has all the info you'll need to fix your top yourself.

[busa_4]

i havent seen a tranny strip gears to date. they dont strip they bend. they have high torque capabilities. i have seen them bend so bad that they end up bending the car frame where the trannies mount.

[Alienz]

You mean the tranny itself bend or just the v-lever? THe v-lever is supposed to prevent that from happening that's why mine broke twice when the timing was off.

[busa_4]

the actual tranny bends. the lever and other top mechanisms bend as well. we had 1 customer who decided to keep pushing the top button while he was watching one side of the top working and not the other. this guy damaged everything. he needed the rear lid, top cables, complete top frame, both top trannies, re-weld both of the tranny mounts, top fabric. ouch! his bill was 5500.00 just for holding the top button too long and not using his head. they are very notorious for breaking. i always wondered if they were going to change it to a hydraulic set up like the 996 cab.