2004 z4 roadster top question

[TechieTechie]

Hi....

I have a 2004 z4 roadster that needed a convertible top motor change. Thanks to Shipkiller's excellent DIY, I completed that task this week (which was a real PITA). Anyways, I digress. The top now completes the full cycle, as described in one of Shipkiller's informative posts http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1122711

However, when the top is being stowed in the trunk (boot), the locking mechanism does not pull the top flush with the car body....the top of the convertible top sits approx .5 inches above the car body (and I can pull the top up slightly). See pics 1 & 2

However, if I apply light pressure to the top as the locking hooks are operating, the motor will wench the top flush the body panel and I cannot lift the top one centimeter. (see pic #3)

Has anyone else experienced this problem? If so, what have you done to rectify this?

Thanks so much....

PS...nothing in the trunk, no misalignment issues that I can see, and it's warm here in the US.


Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

 

[Griffithskyle]

I also have this problem. Help will be appreciated

 

[Hunter]

does the red light flash on the dash indicateing that the roof isnt locked down correctly?

 

[kab]

Check whether there's a kink in the hood material at the sides as it folds down. I have the same problem and it's due to the material folding at the sides in a way which doesn't allow it to go flat.

I assume at some point it folded the wrong way and was stowed like that long enough for the material to now always fold that way.

I have to now stop the roof action half way down, and correct the kinks in the material. It then folds flat.

Not an ideal or permanent solution, but I'm hoping the material will eventually start folding the right way.

 

[bcworkz]

kab pretty much nailed it. Sort of obvious but worth mentioning, once correctly folded, leave the top down as long as possible to try to induce the fabric to take a 'set' in the correct direction. It may help to attempt the correction after the top has been up in the hot sun for a while.

This is a common problem and the reason BMW did away with the lowered lock on facelifts, now simply relying on residual hydraulic pressure to hold the top down.