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Closing roof thumps down

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
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JayUK
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by JayUK » Tue May 18, 2021 4:35 pm

Hi all,

So first question with this Z4.
Opening / Closing the roof there's a ratchety noise which I assume it's unlocking something?

But more concerning is when closing the roof it thumps down pretty hard the last couple of inches. The previous '04 one was much smoother delivery.
Issue or nothing to worry about?
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Simon19879
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by Simon19879 » Wed May 19, 2021 6:03 am

I have the same issue on closing the roof it seems to slam.. every now and again it close soft

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JayUK
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by JayUK » Wed May 19, 2021 2:01 pm

Simon19879 wrote: Wed May 19, 2021 6:03 am I have the same issue on closing the roof it seems to slam.. every now and again it close soft
Really? Ahh so it might be a 'feature' :(
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TheDan
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by TheDan » Wed May 19, 2021 3:00 pm

Mine does not make any ratchety noises and I would say mine slams, but it isn't gentle either.

How laboured does the motor sound while its closing? If the motor has been moved to the boot, how upright is it? If its not completely upright check the oil levels in the reservoir at the top of it as it might be bringing air into the system occasionally.

daimler3996
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by daimler3996 » Wed May 19, 2021 3:22 pm

For what it's worth, the roof on my previous Z4 (2007 - so a facelifted one) came down with a bit of a crash, whereas my new Z4 (2004) is much more gentle.

So could it be a post-facelift 'enhancement'?

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Closing roof thumps down

Post by JamesClements » Mon May 24, 2021 1:12 pm

Min doesn't slam, but there is a fairly hefty clunk. The roof seems to just drop the last 2-3 inches before the locks engage. Mine is also a 2007 so perhaps it is an "enhancement" :wink: as you say daimler3996
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buzyg
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by buzyg » Mon May 24, 2021 4:00 pm

Mine certainly doesn't drop or make a ratchety noise. I pretty much always put my hand up to ease it down the last few inches onto the catch though. I have been doing that for 10 years without much changing. If I don't, then it kind of flops down and bounces about a tiny bit, without actually hitting the top of the screen. Which never looked particularly mechanically sympathetic to me. Hence the helping hand. :)

A quick video might help your cause. :wink:
Image

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Zulu4
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by Zulu4 » Mon May 24, 2021 4:23 pm

.
Last edited by Zulu4 on Sat Nov 18, 2023 12:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Number5
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by Number5 » Mon May 24, 2021 10:24 pm

There’s a tension cable in the roof between the outer canvas and the inner lining that controls/prevents this slamming you describe.
I’m told that it is adjustable but I’m not sure how you get to it

If it’s slamming, then the cable has stretched and needs adjusting back a centimetre or so
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TheDan
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by TheDan » Mon May 24, 2021 10:50 pm

Number5 wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 10:24 pm There’s a tension cable in the roof between the outer canvas and the inner lining that controls/prevents this slamming you describe.
I’m told that it is adjustable but I’m not sure how you get to it

If it’s slamming, then the cable has stretched and needs adjusting back a centimetre or so
Interesting never knew about this cable. Quick search in TIS gives this (limited) information. Is this the one you are talking about Number5?
Capture.PNG
Capture.PNG (109.61 KiB) Viewed 1135 times

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JayUK
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by JayUK » Tue May 25, 2021 9:12 am

Number5 wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 10:24 pm There’s a tension cable in the roof between the outer canvas and the inner lining that controls/prevents this slamming you describe.
I’m told that it is adjustable but I’m not sure how you get to it

If it’s slamming, then the cable has stretched and needs adjusting back a centimetre or so
That sounds spot on!
Thanks TheDan as well, might have to get that looked at.
It's going to go to you Number5 soon when I can arrange it and get the roof motor done anyway, but will get that tension cable checked some time as well.
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mike1
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by mike1 » Tue May 25, 2021 10:20 am

I think part #54347184482 tension belts could be the problem. I guess they stretch out over time. I bought a pair at ECS tuning, but never installed them. I don't think the install is complicated? I just help the top out the last couple inches so it doesn't slam. It doesn't look like what is in previous posts, they are elastic straps. Hope this helps, always liked this forum.

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JayUK
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by JayUK » Tue May 25, 2021 11:55 am

With that information, I found a previous post about the very issue!
viewtopic.php?t=85491

Thanks all. They look a sod to fit!
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Zulu4
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by Zulu4 » Tue May 25, 2021 12:27 pm

Interesting that the guy that fixed his on zpost.com said :
"- The elastic straps are an install-only deal. They aren't already on the car and worn out, meaning you aren't "replacing" anything"
It seems E85's maybe never had them in the first place.

This is a copy of his link for the installation :
https://www.zpost.com/forums/attachment ... 1383267111 and DIY guide https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread ... st19780501

So, it looks like the roof has belts and a cable for tension, but it can be tightened up with the use of BMW after-market elastic straps. Am I correct ?
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Zulu4
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Closing roof thumps down

Post by Zulu4 » Sun Aug 01, 2021 2:10 pm

As I've obviously got too much time on my hands, I've now decided that my roof does indeed close harder than I would like it to.




To answer my own question above : yes, me, you are correct. :)

So I think the options to make the roof close smoother are:
1. Use your hand to gently lower the roof the last inch or so, or
2. Buy two elastic straps ( BMW 54-34-7-184-482 ) and install them, or
3. Try to locate and slightly shorten the tension cable (TIS 54 34 210)

Has anyone here done option 3 ?
Last edited by Zulu4 on Sat Aug 07, 2021 2:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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