Alan 01 Boxster S

Thanks Toolpants. Ordered CV kits (joints, boots, etc.) from Pelican Parts today. Learned years ago, if you have it apart, replace it all at once. I know what I will be doing Saturday. Well, as things normally go, I found the R/H outer boot partially split Saturday. I guess the split was turned the other way when I was under the car before. I swiped the boot from the L/H kit and completed the R/H side. Great photos and instructions. We don't need no stinkin' manual, just RennTech! Took about 4 hours start to finish, including collecting tools to do it. Got 2 more boots on the way from Pelican Parts. Guess I know what I'll be doing this coming Saturday - The other side!

Thanks Toolpants. Ordered CV kits (joints, boots, etc.) from Pelican Parts today. Learned years ago, if you have it apart, replace it all at once. I know what I will be doing Saturday.

Cool. Boots are on the way. I'll let you know how it goes. Alan Houston, we have a problem! Toolpants, I hope you're out there. I removed the old boot today and started to install the split boot and the diameter of the large end of the bell is WAY too large. No way to "shim" it up to size (probably more than 1/4" difference in diameter). Going to have to install factory boots. Are there instructions out there somewhere (I haven't been able to find them before) on how to replace the boots? There is a beginnings of instructions from Rodger but they only start taking things off that are in the way. HELP!

That is the exact tire I'm running on my '01 S in 225/40-17 and 255/40-17 sizes. I really like them. I have even run them on the track a couple of times and while they are obviously a street tire, they performed remarkably well. Go for it. I would agree. I am impressed by the handling of the RE050's. My only issue is my set has been hard to get and keep balalnced. Might just be this set.

I'm looking at a Boxster in the Bay Area tomorrow (supposed to be an "us" car, but really its for my wife). I'm in Orangevale, have never owned a Porsche before, and have no idea where the good service places are, etc. However I know what a wrench is, and I'm certainly interested in doing some of this stuff myself. First step is getting the car... Rich Im interested but im in NJ :( :renntech: Same here. Would love to have access to the knowledge of a Loren, but too far to drive from Georgia! :P

I know this an older thread, but I just stumbled on it today. Gee, I thought I was the only one who got out and "creased" my back window when I lowered my top. Having not "helped" it fold and sitting on my rear and lowering the top, I have gotten some temporary creases that came out only after a day in the sun. Whenever the top requires replacement I was planning to go to a glass rear window. Any experience with replacement glass rear window tops? Regardless, in the mean time I guess I'll continue to deal with my plastic window.

Cool. Boots are on the way. I'll let you know how it goes. Alan

I bought one recently from a guy selling them on ebay. His email address is thecvman@comcast.net. I didn't buy from ebay but contacted him directly. Turns out he was fairly local to me in Maryland. He sent me a PDF spec sheet of about 20 split boots that he sells. He didn't have one listed for a Boxster. His boots fasten with tiny screws. I can't give a long term evaluation but it's still fine after a month. I believe I chose the smallest one he had and the hub side was still a bit large. I wrapped the hub with self-fusing silicone tape first to take up a little room. It took about 30 minutes or so to install, most of the time was spent trying to pull the band clamps tight. Wret - Thanks for the info. Remember a part number for the boot? I'll contact "thecvman" to see what he has available. "thecvman" thinks that it is a 86-2865 because "I do show that most people that have purchased these for a Porsche have used the part number". Any way to check to see if that was the one you used? I have included his .pdf file of boots. Alan I believe it was the 86-2865. I haven't used split boots before but "thecvman" claims these are superior to the glued boots which separate. "thegluedcvbootman" probably makes similar claims about boots with screws. I was a little concerned that the grease would find it's way out of the seam but so far it hasn't. Out of curiosity I called the dealership to get an estimate for replacing the boots. $360+ per side. Definitely worth my while to try split boots. Ordered a couple of 86-2865's today. Spoke with Danny ("thecvman") and he said the tape to use on the hub can be purchased at a hardware store. I'll get more info on it. He also suggested using the clamping area from the old boot to "sleeve" up the diameter. A couple of questions before I start: 1. What all did you remove to get access to the inner cv area (skid plate, what else?) 2. What is the secret for removing and reinstalling the clamps? I see it consumed most of your time. Alan

Well, 19's definitely win on looks, but my previous toy was a Miata with 17's (14's standard), Jackson Racing anti-sway bars, and HD struts. It would pull 1.03 g's but I clinched everything up before every bump that I couldn't dodge. I may stay with 18's (optional factory size) to make sure I don't jeopardize ride or handling this time. Thanks for the input.

OK, according the the tech expert at pca:"Porsche did not approve 19" wheels for use on the Boxsters until 2005. This was do to suspension strengthening according to Porsche." - (I don't really see that the suspension needs to be "strengthened" for 19" wheels other than perhaps due to higher impact loading due to reduced sidewall flex.) Comments? Alan

I bought one recently from a guy selling them on ebay. His email address is thecvman@comcast.net. I didn't buy from ebay but contacted him directly. Turns out he was fairly local to me in Maryland. He sent me a PDF spec sheet of about 20 split boots that he sells. He didn't have one listed for a Boxster. His boots fasten with tiny screws. I can't give a long term evaluation but it's still fine after a month. I believe I chose the smallest one he had and the hub side was still a bit large. I wrapped the hub with self-fusing silicone tape first to take up a little room. It took about 30 minutes or so to install, most of the time was spent trying to pull the band clamps tight. Wret - Thanks for the info. Remember a part number for the boot? I'll contact "thecvman" to see what he has available. "thecvman" thinks that it is a 86-2865 because "I do show that most people that have purchased these for a Porsche have used the part number". Any way to check to see if that was the one you used? I have included his .pdf file of boots. Alan split_boot.pdf

I bought one recently from a guy selling them on ebay. His email address is thecvman@comcast.net. I didn't buy from ebay but contacted him directly. Turns out he was fairly local to me in Maryland. He sent me a PDF spec sheet of about 20 split boots that he sells. He didn't have one listed for a Boxster. His boots fasten with tiny screws. I can't give a long term evaluation but it's still fine after a month. I believe I chose the smallest one he had and the hub side was still a bit large. I wrapped the hub with self-fusing silicone tape first to take up a little room. It took about 30 minutes or so to install, most of the time was spent trying to pull the band clamps tight. Wret - Thanks for the info. Remember a part number for the boot? I'll contact "thecvman" to see what he has available.

When it is time for new tires (sooner than I would like) I plan on upgrading from the base 17" Boxster S wheels to 18's or 19's. Of course 19's look better, but I don't want to sacrifice ride (too much) and handling (want to improve, if anything). So, do I play it safe with 18's or go to 19's? (18's were an option in '01.) Anyone have experience (good or bad) with 19's? Also, what about manufacturers? OEM Porsche wheels are expensive new and there are a couple of companies selling Italian copies of Porsche Carrera wheels (both 18" and 19") on eBay. Any experience out there on these? Finally, any experience with "Ruger" brand wheels? They look great and supposedly Ruger only makes Porsche wheels. I have a wheel and tire fetish (OK, now you know more about me than you should) and I upgrade the wheels/tires on everything I drive. I just want to make sure I UPGRADE when I make a change. I would appreciate any and all input. Alan

Rodger - Great photos. Can you continue instructions in additional posts please? How long did it take to replace the 2 boots? Alan

I had my wheels balanced today and took the opportunity to examine under my '01 Boxster S. Both of the inner CV joint boots had failed. Does someone make a split boot to replace these or do you have to remove the axles?

Loren, According to the tech bulletin, the light is a LED and it is disabled by removing relays and swapping some pin-outs in the relay plug in the rear trunk. Are there photos and/or instructions for doing this available? Alan

Thanks Beety. Cheers!

There are no special gas struts for the aerokit the original part number is 986 512 551 01 (x2) Thanks Nick. Just found your reply. This will give me 2 hands to load/unload items from my rear trunk. Alan :thumbup:

Thanks Loren - 2 good ways to do it. I couldn't believe it, but the article with the one I saw came back up on the random Porsche at log on about 2 days later. What are the chances of that? :clapping: Thanks again!

Sunday when I logged on the random Porsche was a Boxster that the owner had modified to have a remote mounted garage door opener. He/she had replaced one of the seat heater switches (mine doesn't have seat heaters either) with a door lock switch and wired it into his/her garage door opener. The LED even lit up when the switch was depressed. Sweet! The Porsche part number for the switch and the Radio Shack connectors were listed for the conversion. The opener was just pushed back under the console. Push the button, LED lights up, garage door goes up or down. (And you get rid of the garage door opener hanging on your sun visor) Since it was on the randomly shown Porsche at log on, I don't have a way to get the information. (I almost copied everything off the tech sheet while I had it up but didn't. Doh!) If the owner of this Porsche reads this or if anyone else is familiar with this procedure, please let me know the details. Alan

My air struts for my rear deck lid no longer support the lid and wing. I assume when the deck was added they increased the strut strength to account for the wing. Can someone tell me the correct part number (Porsche or otherwise) for struts for Aerokit deck lids? I could just go by the part number on the current struts but I want to make sure I replace them with ones that will support the deck/wing. Alan

I have cleaned my top with RaggTopp cleaner and applied RaggTopp treatment (smells like "Camp Dry", used to water proof fabric for camping/backpacking). Now just waiting for it to rain (we're in a drought) or when I wash my Boxster again (probably before it rains).

Toolpants - Thanks for the lead on the top treatment. I have Raggtopp cleaner and protector on the way, should have it tomorrow. Now a strut question: I have an Aerokit deck and wing and the struts won't hold up the deck. I assume whoever put the Aerokit on used the correct struts but I would like to make sure before I replace these. Do you know the correct PN for struts for an 01 with the Aerokit package?

:thumbup: thanks Tool Pants, I'll check it out! (But hey, "It never rains in California".) Alan

In the original manual it references using a Porsche supplied top treatment on the soft top at least once a year. I'm new so this may have been discussed before (probably has, but I can't find it) but where can you get this? Only at the dealer? Other/better product? Any assistance will be appreciated. Alan :renntech: