Closing roof thumps down
- Thread starter JayUK
- Start date
I just bought the Tension Belts (7 184 482), but I'm still a little confused about how to and where to attach them. The pictures above are pretty good, but is there a video on youtube or in a thread that gets a little more into the details?
I also bought the interior plastic piece that's at the front inside part of the roof. It's gotten horribly cracked from all the slamming down over the years, so I will be doing both at the same time. Does anyone have a video for this?
Thank you!!
I also bought the interior plastic piece that's at the front inside part of the roof. It's gotten horribly cracked from all the slamming down over the years, so I will be doing both at the same time. Does anyone have a video for this?
Thank you!!
I don't have a video. It took me a bit of head scratching to figure out the BMW instructions, but the main clue comes from the paragraph:
Install 2 elastic straps to the soft top frame.
These elastic straps run from the rear bow (just above the rear window) to the main bow (in the middle of the closed soft top)
If you look at those two bows, it becomes obvious where the elastic straps must attach.
Install 2 elastic straps to the soft top frame.
These elastic straps run from the rear bow (just above the rear window) to the main bow (in the middle of the closed soft top)
If you look at those two bows, it becomes obvious where the elastic straps must attach.
Zulu4 said:
Agreed.
However, I'm still confused about attaching the strap from inside the trunk. The BMW instructions don't mention that at all and by looking at the instructions, it doesn't appear to make any sense to do that. Is it not possible to reach down from the top of the roof once the interior lining is exposed?
I'm pretty sure you can't do it that way, otherwise I would have done it ! I think the roof just folds up too much for you to be able to get your hands in.
It does involve having to bend yourself awkwardly going in via the boot.
The BMW pdf shows you open the trunk and partially lower the roof to get access to the rear bow.
It does involve having to bend yourself awkwardly going in via the boot.
The BMW pdf shows you open the trunk and partially lower the roof to get access to the rear bow.
Yeah, you're right. I just can't imagine how going through the boot is possible either. I'm afraid to start pulling it all apart than I can't finish it.
So, I got it done, but it took me at least half a day to figure it all out. I was extra careful because I didn't want to ruin the operation of the roof nor lose any parts. I got some nice scratches on my back (I'm 6'3" tall) even though I put some pillows in the trunk. haha
A few tips that I learned by doing:
When detaching the belts just above the rear window while you're in the trunk, unscrew one screw, then attach half of the additional new belt part, then unscrew the other screw and attach the other side of the new strap. That way, the belts don't get carried away. haha
I attached the new straps with two screws instead of just one which meant I had to drill a hole in the nylon strip that attaches the inside lining to the main bow. The good thing is that it really makes that nylon strip super solid now.
One possible issue:
It's not clear to me if the new straps go under or over the attachment point above the rear window. The instructions are confusing and the picture doesn't make it clear to me. It's possible I attached the straps on the wrong side, but the roof works perfectly, so maybe it doesn't really matter.
Another issue:
Now the roof closes very gently, although it still doesn't lock into place when fully retracted. It seems like it's worse now that the straps are installed. I don't think it should make it worse since the straps would be relaxed in the retracted position. I know there are some other threads about how to fi that, but I haven't had any luck on that part yet. So for now, I have to get out of the car and press down on the retracted roof so it locks into place. I'll start a new thread on this issue and see if we can get it handled.
One last thing:
The interior lining has some kind of waterproof material attached to the lining. The picture in one of the above posts shows it. In that picture, it's completely intact. On my car, it's peeling off and I'm not sure what I can do about that. That'll be yet another post! haha
A few tips that I learned by doing:
When detaching the belts just above the rear window while you're in the trunk, unscrew one screw, then attach half of the additional new belt part, then unscrew the other screw and attach the other side of the new strap. That way, the belts don't get carried away. haha
I attached the new straps with two screws instead of just one which meant I had to drill a hole in the nylon strip that attaches the inside lining to the main bow. The good thing is that it really makes that nylon strip super solid now.
One possible issue:
It's not clear to me if the new straps go under or over the attachment point above the rear window. The instructions are confusing and the picture doesn't make it clear to me. It's possible I attached the straps on the wrong side, but the roof works perfectly, so maybe it doesn't really matter.
Another issue:
Now the roof closes very gently, although it still doesn't lock into place when fully retracted. It seems like it's worse now that the straps are installed. I don't think it should make it worse since the straps would be relaxed in the retracted position. I know there are some other threads about how to fi that, but I haven't had any luck on that part yet. So for now, I have to get out of the car and press down on the retracted roof so it locks into place. I'll start a new thread on this issue and see if we can get it handled.
One last thing:
The interior lining has some kind of waterproof material attached to the lining. The picture in one of the above posts shows it. In that picture, it's completely intact. On my car, it's peeling off and I'm not sure what I can do about that. That'll be yet another post! haha
Well done. 
Are you sure the roof is folding properly for it to lock into place ? If it folds in the wrong direction at the "corners" it doesn't go as flat. There are threads with photos on how it can fold incorrectly somewhere on here.
(I wouldn't worry too much about locking the roof down as even BMW did away with that locking mechanism after a few years.)
Are you sure the roof is folding properly for it to lock into place ? If it folds in the wrong direction at the "corners" it doesn't go as flat. There are threads with photos on how it can fold incorrectly somewhere on here.
(I wouldn't worry too much about locking the roof down as even BMW did away with that locking mechanism after a few years.)
Thanks!!
No, I'm not sure if it's folding down correctly. I read those posts about the folding, but as I recall, the pictures were deleted, so I'm not sure exactly how it's supposed to fold in. I have noticed that if I'm driving half the day with the top down in the locked position, the next time I retract it, it goes down a little further. Hopefully, it just needs to be exercised.
But as far as the folding, can you describe how it's supposed to fold?
No, I'm not sure if it's folding down correctly. I read those posts about the folding, but as I recall, the pictures were deleted, so I'm not sure exactly how it's supposed to fold in. I have noticed that if I'm driving half the day with the top down in the locked position, the next time I retract it, it goes down a little further. Hopefully, it just needs to be exercised.
But as far as the folding, can you describe how it's supposed to fold?
Deleted duplicate post
Guess what... IT WORKED!!! Thanks for the link! It explained it perfectly. Mine was folding inward in that one little spot on both sides. I popped it out on both sides and it went right down and locked. I couldn't believe it! haha
So, now I just need to train it to do it like that every time. I recall reading one post that BMW suggested opening the roof making sure it's folding correct, then leaving it retracted overnight to "train" the fold. I don't have a garage, so I'll have to try another way - maybe take a day trip somewhere. haha
So, now I just need to train it to do it like that every time. I recall reading one post that BMW suggested opening the roof making sure it's folding correct, then leaving it retracted overnight to "train" the fold. I don't have a garage, so I'll have to try another way - maybe take a day trip somewhere. haha
Btw, I noticed that there's a rubber lining on the edges... it looks like a channel maybe for rain to drain off the roof. Anyway, it's deteriorated to the point that it's just crumbling.
Should I try to put another liner or possibly caulk/silicone in that space? I'm thinking the rubber lining is to prevent mold and rotting of the threading of the roof in those seams. I'm in Los Angeles, so maybe it's not much of an issue since we don't get a lot of rain plus is incredibly dry out here.... it's often 15% humidity maybe up to 40% humidity if it's raining. haha
StudioWizard said:
Yes, I think just leave the roof retracted for a while for the roof to learn its lesson :wink:
I'm not sure what to suggest for that perished rubber as I've not had that problem. Silicon could get a bit messy.
Maybe more learned friends on the forum have experienced it and have a suggestion ?