TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE

Bra Installation Instructions
Posted By: Joe King on Tuesday, 25 August 1998, at 9:18 p.m.

I wrote this a while back for the Boxster Board but I never posted it because of its length. I am posting it now (sorry Chuck) because of the many posts I read where the Torx screws are damaged. I have e-mailed these instructions to a few people and I have not heard of any problems. If you follow these instructions, you should not have any problems with the installation.

PORSCHE BOXSTER BRA INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Information provided here is for installing the Porsche Boxster Bra part number PNA-503-986-00. The bra consist of the following parts:

1. Trunk Lid Cover
2. Bumper Cover
3. Metal Clips (2)
4. Torx Wrench
5. Storage Pouch
6. Instructions

Additional items you will need for first time installation:

1. Torx T-30 3/8 Inch Socket (Sears part no. 42664 or equivalent)
2. 3/8 Inch Drive Ratchet (Sears part no. 43781 or equivalent)
3. Household Hammer
4. Porsche Touch-Up Paint
5. Large Terry Cloth Towel
6. Sandpaper (fine grit)

FIRST TIME BRA INSTALLATION (illustrations are part of the Porsche Boxster Bra instructions):

1. Always make sure car is cleaned and waxed before installing bra. The bra fits very tightly and surface dirt on the car may cause light scratches in the finish.

2. Remove all parts from box and spread out Trunk Cover Lid and Bumper Cover in a clean, dry warm area. Make sure the covers reach room temperature before installing. Notice the inside of the bra is cloth lined to protect the finish. Be sure not to get any grit on the cloth since it will fit tightly against the paint.

3. Open front trunk lid and place terry cloth towel over right front fender.

4. The two metal clips must be attached to car using Torx screws. The metal clips will not need to be removed when removing the bra. Locate the Torx wrench that came with the bra and throw it away. Many people have tried to use this and have damaged the Torx bolts on the car. AGAIN, THROW IT AWAY!

5. Notice there are four Torx screw heads that are completely visible on each side of the car. For those unfamiliar with Torx screws, the head of the screw will have a sunken "star" pattern. The screws are located between the fenders and the front trunk weatherstripping. Refer to the illustration on the instructions. For reference we will number the screws one through four with number one being the closest to the front of the car. It will be necessary to remove the number two screws on each side. These screws will be used to attach the two metal clips.

6. Insert the Torx T-30 3/8 Inch Socket into the number two screw on the right front fender. These screws were attached before the car was painted and have a considerable amount of paint in the star pattern. In order to make sure the Torx socket is seated into the screw, it will be necessary to gently tap the top of the socket with a hammer. This will seat the socket in the hole. This step is very important. Failure to do this may result in stripping the Torx head.

7. Set ratchet for "loosening" by holding the 3/8 inch shaft and turning the latch on top clockwise. With the shaft pointing down and the handle toward you it is set properly if you can hold the 3/8 inch shaft and move the handle to your left (clockwise rotation) and hear a clicking sound.

8. Insert ratchet into socket and turn ratchet clockwise until the handle is pointing toward the front of the car. This way if it slips, it will slip toward the trunk as opposed to the fender reducing the risk of a fender scratch. Now turn the handle counterclockwise while pushing downward on the socket end of the ratchet being careful not to turn the ratchet latch. The screw may make a "creaking" sound when it breaks loose. Once loosened it can be easily turned and removed.

9. Set the ratchet for "tightening" by holding the T-30 socket (still attached to the ratchet) and turn the latch on top of the ratchet counterclockwise. With the shaft pointing down and the handle toward you it is set properly if you can hold the T-30 socket and move the handle to your right (counterclockwise rotation) and hear a clicking sound.

10. Install the metal clip using the Torx screw. Refer to the illustration to insure the metal clip is oriented properly. It is very important that the metal clip is properly installed. The half moon portion is toward the trunk and the tip at the opposite end of the screw points up. As you are tightening the screw, make sure the metal clip does not slip. Remember to always turn the ratchet handle toward the trunk

11. Place terry cloth towel over left front fender.

12. Move the ratchet and 3/8 inch socket away from the car and release the socket by pressing the button on the top of the ratchet. Insert the Torx T-30 3/8 inch socket into the number two screw on the left front fender. Gently tap the top of the socket with a hammer to seat the socket.

13. Set ratchet for "loosening" . Refer to step 7.

14. Insert ratchet into socket and turn ratchet clockwise until the handle is pointing toward the rear of the car. Now turn the handle counterclockwise while pushing downward on the socket end of the ratchet. Once loosened it can be easily turned and removed.

15. Set the ratchet for "tighten". Refer to step 9.

16. Install the metal clip using the Torx screw. Refer to the illustration to insure the metal clip is oriented properly. It is very important that the metal clip is properly installed. The half moon portion is toward the trunk and the tip at the opposite end of the screw points up. As you are tightening the screw, make sure the metal clip does not slip. Remember to always turn the ratchet handle toward the trunk. Remove the terry cloth towel.

17. Slide Trunk Lid Cover partially on. Be careful sliding it over the latch. Working from side to side, sliding the cover about 2 inches on each side before moving to the other side. Keep sliding until the front edge of the cover is tight against the leading edge of the trunk lid.

18. Pull straps diagonally and attach the straps/s-hooks to the holes closest to the edge of the trunk lid. Refer to illustration.

19. The Bumper Cover can be used with or without a license plate. If you do not have a front license plate, push the license plate flap through the license plate hole so it is inside the cover. With a license plate, fold the license plate flap under the bra.

20. Slide the right side Bumper Cover ribbon under the right side metal clip (installed in step 10).

21. Slide the left side Bumper Cover ribbon under the left side metal clip (installed in step 16).

22. Working one side at a time, pull cover around fender and center headlights in the headlight openings.

23. Alternating sides and working from top to bottom, attach the pre-bent tabs to the wheel wells. Refer to illustration.

24. When all eight of the pre-bent tabs are in place connect the lower straps/s-hooks to the two holes on the underside of the front valance.

25. Lower the hood and make sure the Hood Cover and Bumper Cover align.

26. Close the hood securely and make sure the hood is properly latched before driving the car. The bra material can interfere with the hood latch mechanism. After latching the hood, try to lift it with your fingers under the edges to insure proper latching. If your car has factory alarm/remote locks, lock the car and make sure the horn does not sound. If the horn sounds then the hood latch may not be secured. It is very important to make sure the hood latches properly.

27. Open the hood and check the sunken star portion of the two Torx screws that were removed to install the metal clips. If the paint has been damaged it may be necessary to use touch up paint on them. Fold a small piece of sandpaper and push the corner into the Torx hole and turn it a few times. Wipe away any loose particles and clean with a small amount of alcohol. Let dry before painting. Apply a thin coat of touch-up paint. Apply a second and third coat if required.

28. Close the hood (refer to step 26), start the car, lower the top (weather permitting) and go for a nice long well deserved test drive.

[ Home ] [ User INFO ] [ Boxster Board ] [ Archives ] [ Sponsors ] [ Museum ]
[ Events ] [ Polls ] [ Links ] [ Classifieds ] [ Boutique ] [ Pete's Page ]