Yikes! I know these are a mess to work on (particularly for those non-mechanically inclined folks such as myself)...

 

The fix took less than 2 hours and a trip to get the top calibrated. The time consuming part was the education and the theory of operation.
Had some great help from other forums and B8_RDC who gave me the part numbers.
I lucked out and got a great used part from an 03 Cab with 18,000 miles
These cars seem extremely easy to work on if you do your homework.
Replacing the drive unit was easy (2) nuts (2) clips and (4) bolts.
It was nice to work on the top of the can instead of under it.

 

Nice work, glad you made sure to include the clips. I've seen a few with those missing and makes me wonder if the drive bars could pop off.

 

Thank you Pelican, Would you happen to have anything that shows how the side flaps work on a 99 C4 Cab? Mine seem to intermittently move or stick depending on their mood.

Marc

 

I've read that using teflon spray on the screw mechanism part of the flaps can help. Cycle them a bit after covering it.

 

My 2002 996 C4 cabriolet just went for a service to fix the cab top issue. It would not close despite a recent hydraulic fluid top-up.
Turned out to be a poor battery, low hydraulic fluid as well as worn out pistons and and some fasteners.
A 3K service.
My PCA membership saved me
$285

 

Oh the joys of a cabriolet.

Anyone interested in a PIWIS tool to do home calibrations of their top check sales or PM me.

 

Jayi836
Thanks for tips... I have a similar problem let me explain and you tell me if this was yours..i took the gear casing apart (blue section attached to motor) and ll the parts are good and in the right place. i even bought a kit just to verify. but when i try to open the clam shell by dashboard switch i can hear something but the clam shell does nothing. so then i get my 1/4 inch tip and extension & ratchet and i can open the hook to the clam shell, then i see the clam shell open (all manually)
I can move the rear latch cable toward the micro switch and back by hand only, all manually only. is this what happened to you.?
2. so was your problem the drive mechanism 996.561.021.03
3. or little motor and blue piece.?

 

I cant find the part number in my eBay history from 2014, I also sold the car 2 years ago.
My issue was the center rear latch got caught in the fabric top and chewed up the cable transmission, It was stuck closed.
It took taking everything apart to release the drive assembly freeing the cables to get the clam-shell raised to replace the entire unit.
PM if you still need help.