Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
- Posts: 24001
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:25 pm
- Location: Weybridge
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
Thanks Mr Tidy, I will give him a call
-
- Member
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2018 7:34 pm
- Location: Milton Keynes
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
Took mine took Ross last weekend, great work turned around in under 2 hours
Finally suns back out had a spin with the roof down this afternoon
Finally suns back out had a spin with the roof down this afternoon
-
- Member
- Posts: 239
- Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2020 11:26 am
- Location: Warwickshire
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
Hi all,
Once you have removed the motor do you need to reinstall the casing?
Once you have removed the motor do you need to reinstall the casing?
- DMike
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2459
- Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:15 pm
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
Not necessarily, but I did because the foam was dry and I thought it might provide some sound insulation and collect hydraulic fluid in case of a leak. With the casing the motor doesn’t fit as nicely in the recess as without it.
2005 Z4 3.0i Sterling grey
-
- Member
- Posts: 239
- Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2020 11:26 am
- Location: Warwickshire
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
Hi DMike,
Thank you for your reply.
Doesn't it rattle around as you drive or have you managed to secure it again?
I was thinking of leaving it out as (a.) I have seen people clean the holes with a rod and I guess with no motor in the way this is easier? (b) If it was to fill it can hole more water until braking point lol (which might not be a good idea).
I think I might of answered my own question but if anyone can correct me I am all ears.
Thank you for your reply.
Doesn't it rattle around as you drive or have you managed to secure it again?
I was thinking of leaving it out as (a.) I have seen people clean the holes with a rod and I guess with no motor in the way this is easier? (b) If it was to fill it can hole more water until braking point lol (which might not be a good idea).
I think I might of answered my own question but if anyone can correct me I am all ears.
- DMike
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2459
- Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:15 pm
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
Sorry RIdee007, I was ambiguous. To clarify, I have the motor in the casing and the casing in the recess inside the boot. The well is now easy to clean with a silicon hose attached to a vacuum cleaner, 1 minute job once a year.Rldee007 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 8:39 am Hi DMike,
Thank you for your reply.
Doesn't it rattle around as you drive or have you managed to secure it again?
I was thinking of leaving it out as (a.) I have seen people clean the holes with a rod and I guess with no motor in the way this is easier? (b) If it was to fill it can hole more water until braking point lol (which might not be a good idea).
I think I might of answered my own question but if anyone can correct me I am all ears.
2005 Z4 3.0i Sterling grey
- DMike
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2459
- Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:15 pm
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
An old photo. With the casing the motor will sit at a 45 deg angle. I had to top up with some hydraulic fluid to compensate for this.DMike wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 9:19 pmSorry RIdee007, I was ambiguous. To clarify, I have the motor in the casing and the casing in the recess inside the boot. The well is now easy to clean with a silicon hose attached to a vacuum cleaner, 1 minute job once a year.Rldee007 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 8:39 am Hi DMike,
Thank you for your reply.
Doesn't it rattle around as you drive or have you managed to secure it again?
I was thinking of leaving it out as (a.) I have seen people clean the holes with a rod and I guess with no motor in the way this is easier? (b) If it was to fill it can hole more water until braking point lol (which might not be a good idea).
I think I might of answered my own question but if anyone can correct me I am all ears.
2005 Z4 3.0i Sterling grey
-
- Member
- Posts: 239
- Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2020 11:26 am
- Location: Warwickshire
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
Thanks DMike looks good. I was planning to get some hardboard, velcro, trim carpet and foam to protect and insulate the motor but if I can keep the cover on too might be the way to compliment what I had in mind.
How do you top up the fluid and what do you use? I tested mine in the same position as yours (just placed) and it appears to work fine.
How do you top up the fluid and what do you use? I tested mine in the same position as yours (just placed) and it appears to work fine.
- DMike
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2459
- Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:15 pm
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
The white reservoir has a plus sign: with the reservoir held upright the fluid level should be between the upper and lower edge of the sign. I topped a bit more with no apparent harm and several years later no issues. On top of the reservoir is a filler plug.Rldee007 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 09, 2021 8:44 am Thanks DMike looks good. I was planning to get some hardboard, velcro, trim carpet and foam to protect and insulate the motor but if I can keep the cover on too might be the way to compliment what I had in mind.
How do you top up the fluid and what do you use? I tested mine in the same position as yours (just placed) and it appears to work fine.
2005 Z4 3.0i Sterling grey
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:32 am
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
Hi Dmike, just want to thank everyone for this guide which has helped me to get my roof motor to the boot! I had bought a new electric motor off eBay and it’s not attached to any “base plate”, I seem to have the “pressed” version. Is there any way to separate this and use the motor I already bought?
I have an 03 e85, and I tried to separate the old motor and base but had no luck.. I am wondering if I have the right motor if some bases must come with the motor? Thanks guys!
I have an 03 e85, and I tried to separate the old motor and base but had no luck.. I am wondering if I have the right motor if some bases must come with the motor? Thanks guys!
- colb
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1666
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2019 9:45 pm
- Location: Newport, South Wales UK
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
I secured mine behind the side wall carpet without the plastic cannister, cable tie wraps to a bracket that is behind the carpet, wrapped some foam around it for soundproofing.
Z Shed Cymru member
1999 1.8 Z3
2003 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville 650
If the forum helped you, why not help the forum back. Thats the Z4 way!
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?c ... source=url
1999 1.8 Z3
2003 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville 650
If the forum helped you, why not help the forum back. Thats the Z4 way!
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?c ... source=url
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:36 pm
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
Hello DMike
I successfully relocated my motor to the trunk which I thought would be the hardest part. I did not remove the parcel tray etc as this was done when I had a suspension upgrade and I asked my mechanic to leave the pieces out so I could do the softtop motor relocation.
I have tried following the instructions backwards (so to speak) but unsuccessful to date. Could you help with some thoughts as to the process, ie maybe an order of it being done.
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards
John Sanders
I successfully relocated my motor to the trunk which I thought would be the hardest part. I did not remove the parcel tray etc as this was done when I had a suspension upgrade and I asked my mechanic to leave the pieces out so I could do the softtop motor relocation.
I have tried following the instructions backwards (so to speak) but unsuccessful to date. Could you help with some thoughts as to the process, ie maybe an order of it being done.
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards
John Sanders
- DMike
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2459
- Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:15 pm
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
Do you mean installing the parcel shelf back? Your’re almost there: take a look at this thread:jbsanders wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:51 pm Hello DMike
I successfully relocated my motor to the trunk which I thought would be the hardest part. I did not remove the parcel tray etc as this was done when I had a suspension upgrade and I asked my mechanic to leave the pieces out so I could do the softtop motor relocation.
I have tried following the instructions backwards (so to speak) but unsuccessful to date. Could you help with some thoughts as to the process, ie maybe an order of it being done.
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards
John Sanders
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=85840
2005 Z4 3.0i Sterling grey
- DMike
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2459
- Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:15 pm
How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!
PM sentjbsanders wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:51 pm Hello DMike
I successfully relocated my motor to the trunk which I thought would be the hardest part. I did not remove the parcel tray etc as this was done when I had a suspension upgrade and I asked my mechanic to leave the pieces out so I could do the softtop motor relocation.
I have tried following the instructions backwards (so to speak) but unsuccessful to date. Could you help with some thoughts as to the process, ie maybe an order of it being done.
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards
John Sanders
2005 Z4 3.0i Sterling grey