I have a 2008 TT that has been to the dealer too many times to try and fix the power top. Has any converted the power top to a manual top? Any idea what all is involved? I notice the manual top is only for the canvas roof while I have the cloth roof with the headliner etc. It is heavy to put up manually but that might be because of the hydraulic cylinders still being connected.
So any ideas out there?

 

I removed the cylinder from an old mustang I had. The top went up and down nice and easy, the pressure in the system was holding it back.

I was thinking about doing it to my roadster, just because it's so small that manual up and down seems like it would be more convenient to me.

The only issue I see is that you might have to be careful just so the rear window doesn't get any stress in case it folds differently under power.

 

I've closed the top manually many times and it's a two handed affair.
I noticed that the cloth top is manual but still uses hydraulic cylinders and springs to help with the operation. I watch my friend drop his top in two seconds on his 2015 Miata Club and I'm jealous as hell. Another beautiful day today and it wouldn't go down; let alone try and get it back up. I love the car but hate the top right now. May have to experiment over the winter.

 

Yep, I converted mine:

Hydraulic to manual ragtop conversion- done! - AudiWorld Forums

Replacing the struts to gas-filled really helps. Finding part numbers was a real bear... but it was worth it. No more pools of fluid in the carpet, less curb weight, less money spent to fix the problem.