roof lift arms leaking. need advice..

creativeliberty1776 · Post by **creativeliberty1776** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 7:54 pm

Hello, I have a 2003 3.0 soft top Z4 that I have done alot of work to and have finally gotten around to replacing and relocating the roof motor. After some time I managed to get some movment out of the top only to have it pour fluid out the "roof lift struts " <---what is the proper name for these? Any ways are these something that can serviced or rebuilt any help even a " no way mate youre screwed" would be helpful, and if i do have to replace them does anyone know an affordable after market source, currently the only one I seem to be able to find are like $500 a piece.

anyways Thank you in advance for your help.

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bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 8:05 pm

I’ve got a set you can have in good condition.

Assume you are US based I can get a price to send

creativeliberty1776 · Post by **creativeliberty1776** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 8:19 pm

yep eastern North Carolina 28532... thank you in advance

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 8:27 pm

See...... bigwinn, you missed the opening there mate.
Start with the '"no way, you're screwed" line, let it stew for a few hours THEN offer him yours at twice the price.

But in all seriousness, it looks like you've done all the hard work so if Stuart can send over a good pair of 'rams', or whatever you want to call them, then you're onto a winner.

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 8:30 pm

enuff_zed wrote: ↑Tue Sep 20, 2022 8:27 pm See...... bigwinn, you missed the opening there mate.
Start with the '"no way, you're screwed" line, let it stew for a few hours THEN offer him yours at twice the price.

But in all seriousness, it looks like you've done all the hard work so if Stuart can send over a good pair of 'rams', or whatever you want to call them, then you're onto a winner.

How to make friends and influence people my friend

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 8:37 pm

bigwinn wrote: ↑Tue Sep 20, 2022 8:30 pm
enuff_zed wrote: ↑Tue Sep 20, 2022 8:27 pm See...... bigwinn, you missed the opening there mate.
Start with the '"no way, you're screwed" line, let it stew for a few hours THEN offer him yours at twice the price.

But in all seriousness, it looks like you've done all the hard work so if Stuart can send over a good pair of 'rams', or whatever you want to call them, then you're onto a winner.
How to make friends and influence people my friend

Life lesson 1.
Never, ever, take me seriously

BumpyZ4 · Post by **BumpyZ4** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 9:20 pm

creativeliberty1776 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 20, 2022 7:54 pm Hello, I have a 2003 3.0 soft top Z4 that I have done alot of work to and have finally gotten around to replacing and relocating the roof motor. After some time I managed to get some movment out of the top only to have it pour fluid out the "roof lift struts " <---what is the proper name for these?

BMW calls them "hinges". If you are in the states you can have them rebuilt by Top Hydraulics in Oregon. https://www.tophydraulics.com/55-bmw-z4

creativeliberty1776 · Post by **creativeliberty1776** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 10:00 pm

awesome advice guys

creativeliberty1776 · Post by **creativeliberty1776** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 10:09 pm

has anyone here just deleted the hinges and made to top manual?

creativeliberty1776 · Post by **creativeliberty1776** » Tue Sep 20, 2022 10:13 pm

I just called top Hydraulics and its $950 to have refurbs sent to me and a $400 credit when I send my cores in 2 weeks lead time , and or $500 to have mine rebuilt with 4-5 weeks lead time, Has anyone tried successfully to just delete the hinges and make the top manual?

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Wed Sep 21, 2022 8:42 am

creativeliberty1776 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 20, 2022 10:13 pm I just called top Hydraulics and its $950 to have refurbs sent to me and a $400 credit when I send my cores in 2 weeks lead time , and or $500 to have mine rebuilt with 4-5 weeks lead time, Has anyone tried successfully to just delete the hinges and make the top manual?

I'd see what Stuart (bigwinn) can do for you first.

creativeliberty1776 · Post by **creativeliberty1776** » Wed Sep 21, 2022 8:50 am

Big Winn for the Win... pun intended... he p.m. ed me with a fair price and we will finalize when morning hits on that side of the pond, God willing

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Wed Sep 21, 2022 9:05 am

creativeliberty1776 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 8:50 am Big Winn for the Win... pun intended... he p.m. ed me with a fair price and we will finalize when morning hits on that side of the pond, God willing

Ping me your email via dm I’ve got pics for you

Number5 · Post by **Number5** » Wed Sep 21, 2022 11:56 am

Well done Stuart

However, Its unusual for the hinges/rams themselves to leak. It’s usually just from the elbow on the lower hose where it enters the ram.

I have changed a Ram once and it’s a pig of a job, as you need to get both sides identically aligned, otherwise the roof doesn’t sit and move squarely as it reaches the windscreen.

Keep us posted on how you get on please

wiseguy · Post by **wiseguy** » Fri Sep 30, 2022 5:58 am

creativeliberty1776 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 20, 2022 7:54 pm Hello, I have a 2003 3.0 soft top Z4 that I have done alot of work to and have finally gotten around to replacing and relocating the roof motor. After some time I managed to get some movment out of the top only to have it pour fluid out the "roof lift struts " <---what is the proper name for these? Any ways are these something that can serviced or rebuilt any help even a " no way mate youre screwed" would be helpful, and if i do have to replace them does anyone know an affordable after market source, currently the only one I seem to be able to find are like $500 a piece. anyways Thank you in advance for your help.

Creativeliberty, we need some details on that beast of a light bar mounted on your front bumper! brand, how you installed it, etc.

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com