gec5

Maurice, Thanks for the PM. I ordered the ball joints this morning. All my parts for the convertible top frame arrived so I will get that reassembled this weekend. I'm researching how to sew in a new window. The window kit I purchased on e-bay two years ago came with instructions in German from the BMW manual. That seems to be the best the seller of the kit can provide. Not very helpful so i put off the window repair until now. It does have a synopsis in English that is poorly translated and quite brief that describes the process. It says to leave the old window in, cut out the threads, and slide the new window in over it, glue and sew the thing up, then remove the old window by carefully cutting it out along the edge of the window seam while not cutting the new window behind it in the process. I gotta find a better way so I'm doing some research. Any thoughts on removing that A/C line. Thanks for all your help and I'll keep youi posted on the top. Greg

I have a left broken ball joint, a broken right frame (the magnesium casting with the three bolts that fastens the top to the car), and a bent push rod. I think one ball joint failed and the excessive force on the other side bent and finally broke the frame. I need a source for repalcement ball joints if anyone has it. I now have my top and frame off, waititng for the frame piece ($100), new rubber bushings for the push rods and assorted other things that looked out of sorts when I removed the top. I had to repair the rips in the foam trays as the broken ball joint allowed the push rod do some damage. I used Permatex black silicone reinforced with duct tape on the back while the goop dries. They look as good as new and will not leak. Oh yeah, I am also sewing a new window in the top while it is off. The duct tape patch that has been keeping the 3" tear in the window from leaking finally wore out and looks a little too ghetto. I also replaced the bowden cable in the drivers door (got tired of rolling down the window to get out) and will be replacing the a/c low pressure line that is crushed and leaking due to a misplaced jack (long ways from home, low tire, moron in the local gas station who did not even tell me although he had to hear the refridgerant leaking out). I have located the part but any sugestions on how to get that beast out of the car would be appreciated. Thanks to all the posters on Renntech I was able to do all of this with few problems. The top came out in 20 minutes, the door fix was about an hour (no you don't have to diconnect or even loosen the door latch)and as long as I can get the top to close properly the sewing remains the last challenge. My 98 Boxster with 45k miles is my daily driver year round and has been for more than 4 years. I'm stuck driving my wife's Jag, or the diesel excursion and both suck compared to the Box, especially in rush hour traffic. Again, thanks to all and any help in locating the ball joints without having to buy a set of push rods is greatly appreciated. Greg Portland Oregon