Bowden cable -red ring separated

G

GNR1

Member
Hi All !

First day on road with 2007 Z4 3.0i. Top wouldn't go down or up more than 1 ". Pulled red ring---it separated from Bowden cable.

Manually lowered top. Bowden cable disappeared. Can't raise top.

How do I find end of Bowden cable.

It's night in New England. Lucky my daughter has a big garage. LOL

Thanks for the help. I think motor is dead.
 
Going to have to pull the motor/pump unit from its original position and relocate the unit to the boot so you can deal with it and the cable.
Here is a link to a Youtube which shows how to do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPhwOO654JA
Be prepared for a fight, the tie wrap holding the plastic cannister its housed in is a pain to find and break so you can lift the unit up and out into the boot/trunk.
 
Thank you, Colb.
Any idea where the end of the Bowden cable disappeared to?
All I really want is to be able to manually put the top up at this point.
Will do the motor next week.
Thanks.
 
Its probably dissappeared down the outer sheath, once you get the unit out and back into the trunk you may be able to push it back out from the pump end, might be a bit short depending where its broken, may need a replacement cable. The lever at the pump end is moved by the cable over a small brass coloured ball valve that releases the oil flow in the pump so the hood can be raised and lowered manually. This little valve often corrodes, some lube and pressing it in and out should loosen it back to operating condition. Just have to sort the cable when you get the motor fixed.
 
No that little brass valve needs to be pressed in to allow the fluid in the pump to be bypassed to allow the hood to be raised/lowered manually. Only going to achieve that by getting the unit back into the trunk with the cable being broken and the valve stuck.
 
I read on another forum that a mustang motor can be used to replace the BMW motor--- anyone have any experience using that motor.

Considerably cheaper, supposedly.

Starting the removal tomorrow.
 
GNR1 said:
I read on another forum that a mustang motor can be used to replace the BMW motor--- anyone have any experience using that motor.

Considerably cheaper, supposedly.

Starting the removal tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Good luck.
I used plenty of blankets etc in the trunk. Didn't do much for padding, but stopped the blood soaking into the carpet. :roll:
To be fair, once the motor is relocated into the boot then you really don't need to worry about the cable as you can access the lever anyway.
It will take you time, and the neighbours will learn a whole new vocabulary, but it is satisfying to achieve! :thumbsup:
 
Found the cable end and reattached red ring---pulled and turned, but no change.

The top is down, preventing access to the motor well
Parcel shelf is out, but the rear window is blocking the motor well.
I have pushed the top "button" on the center console, no release. I can't find any cord or button behind seats.

Is there a microswitch I am missing?

Tried standing on the seats and pulling up on top--no luck.

If I can't get it to release, I may try lifting it up and sliding my arm under the window into the well. I may try bracing up the window to gain a little more space---carefully to avoid damage to window.

Am I looking at complete top removal to get at the motor ?

Thanks in advance.
 
I suspect that the brass valve on the outside of the pump is corroded and stuck hence your red ring cable breaking when it couldn't depress the valve. Looks like the only way you are going to get the hood up manually is to release the pressure in the system by undoing one of the lines. Is there any way to get at one of the ram connections and open one of the feed pipe connections on that to release the pressure. Its going to leak but if you can do this at least you can get the hood up so you can go mining for the motor without the folded hood/window being in the way.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BU33-USA-06-2007-E85-BMW-Z4_30i&diagId=54_0313
 
Not able to try 2 man lift today on the top.
There is no space for me to get my arm up and into the motor area. Will try again tomorrow when have a helper.

The owner's manual mentions pushing a button and then pulling a cord between the seats to release the top, but I can not find it.

How difficult is it to remove the whole top while it is in the down position ?

Would it be easier to cut an access hole under the parcel shelf motorside hinge? If stucturally significant, weld or bolt a patch
after freeing the top & removing the motor.

Ordered a new motor on ebay--German manufactured. $111 with tax.
 
Ok, cutting a hole is a bad idea and I honestly don't think you can pull the roof while it's down.

You can do the 2 man lift, very hard, but it has been done before. However, since the roof will now be in the locked up position, you'll have to use the thru the trunk method of getting to the motor/pump. Note: you should be aware that some claim the 2 man lift might damage the hinge lifters rubber seals. I do not know if this is true or not.

Your last option is to simply cut a hydo line and by doing so release the pressure. Cutting a line is actually what a BMW dealership would do if you brought the car to them. The top would be manual but still lock and unlock at the windshield housing.
 
Success !!!!

With the help of a friend, we each stood on a seat and pulled carefully until we were in the way, then moved out and pushed forward. When we had the latches in place I pushed the "up" button and it locked down. It's locked in, and now I can proceed with the fun extraction of the old motor/pump and relocate it to the trunk.

Thanks to all for sharing your experience and ideas--a great help.
 
Got the motor/pump out today. Hydraulic reservoir less than half filled. How much should I add? Generic hydraulic oil?

This has been done once before per maintenance records. They did not put the top of the cannister back on, making it easier to extract. Lots of tape though. Still a rough go for an old coot with bad back. Persistence carried the day !! Now rewarding the body with beer.

Will see if the low? hydraulic level caused problem in the next couple of days.
 
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