Gutley Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 Recently I've noticed a new rattle behind the driver's ear, so today I had a nose around and discovered that the tension rope on the driver's side had snapped: and left the other end of the ball joint still attached to the clamshell: I headed off to OPC Tonbridge to pick up a replacement part (986.561.191.02 - £27.44 after PCGB discount) Having previously had to undo the other end multiple times to raise the rear of the roof, I had assumed that it would be just as easy to twist this top joint off. But after some over-hard attempts and with the bracket starting to bend I figured I was missing something. At the size of the above photo, its pretty obvious, but in the fading light of dusk and less than perfect eyesight at close range I missed it. Yeah, there is a clip that runs around the base of the ball section. It needs unhooking and then pulling down. After this the joint twists off as easily as the other end. Here is a close up of where the clip feeds into the joint: After unhooking you pull it down and out to unlock the joint. When replacing the tensioner you have to keep the little metal clip from the old one as it isn't included with the replacement. Only one end of the tensioner has the holes for the clip and its that end that attaches to the clamshell. Hope that helps someone else avoid applying too much force to the joint in future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topbox Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 Good job, Matt ? PS can see a bit of weed on the drive ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrishak Posted October 1, 2017 Report Share Posted October 1, 2017 Useful post? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alank Posted October 31, 2017 Report Share Posted October 31, 2017 Thanks for this. Mine just gone and ordered one from opc, £30. will be doing at w/e and probably would have been fooled by the cir-clip thingy. alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patt Posted October 31, 2017 Report Share Posted October 31, 2017 strange - did the drivers side on Molly a few weeks ago. it popped straight on and off without any tools or effort. I've thrown the old part in the bin. I'll check when I get home , but I'm sure there wasn't any locking mechanism Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gutley Posted October 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2017 5 hours ago, Patt said: strange - did the drivers side on Molly a few weeks ago. it popped straight on and off without any tools or effort. I've thrown the old part in the bin. I'll check when I get home , but I'm sure there wasn't any locking mechanism Maybe it had previously been replaced and the clip was not kept. Look for a hole going through the dome section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike597 Posted October 31, 2017 Report Share Posted October 31, 2017 No such retaining clip on mine. Maybe it was a later enhancement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topbox Posted October 31, 2017 Report Share Posted October 31, 2017 My late 02 facelift 986 has the clips, is yours earlier @mike597 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike597 Posted November 1, 2017 Report Share Posted November 1, 2017 9 hours ago, Topbox said: My late 02 facelift 986 has the clips, is yours earlier @mike597 ? Yes mine pre face-lift, 2000 registered but built in 99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topbox Posted November 1, 2017 Report Share Posted November 1, 2017 5 hours ago, mike597 said: Yes mine pre face-lift, 2000 registered but built in 99 It would appear it is the facelift cars that have clips on the top socket, to state the obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.