How do you remove lining from Z4 hardtop?

[kis]

lol hardcore! i bet it's noisy as hell too when driving?

It's not actually as bad as I thought it would be, then again the trim piece isn't exactly sound proofing in itself. It's just an aesthetical cover up... so far as I can tell anyway.

Last time I saw it on her car I made the fundamental mistake of asking her 'when was the last time you had it off?' her reply: 'oh you'll have to ask your father about that dear.' priceless.

Oh dear

 

[kis]

Looking further at your pic with the lining removed it could even be a composite with a central square section of steel. that would make sense in terms of adding some structural integrity/rigidity while retaining sufficient flexibility for a good fit etc.

I though it was steel too?

Just done a hard and fast test, I figured what is it made of then?? So I did the only thing I could



LOL just kidding! I did the magnet test. The only thing magnetic in the top is the a pillar section (left and right) where it bolts down onto the car. There must be a small section of metal there that's moulded somehow into the hardtop.

So not made of steel! ....Unless it's made from alu?

 

[Chris_D]

Looking further at your pic with the lining removed it could even be a composite with a central square section of steel. that would make sense in terms of adding some structural integrity/rigidity while retaining sufficient flexibility for a good fit etc.

I though it was steel too?

Just done a hard and fast test, I figured what is it made of then?? So I did the only thing I could



LOL just kidding! I did the magnet test. The only thing magnetic in the top is the a pillar section (left and right) where it bolts down onto the car. There must be a small section of metal there that's moulded somehow into the hardtop.

So not made of steel! ....Unless it's made from alu?

interesting. would have expected maybe a steel panel or at least a frame. quite possibly aluminium then. who knows...?
either way it's a decent hardtop imo and i'm very glad to have found one, especially on days like these. 2degrees in vleuten this morning. brrr

 

[kis]

who knows...?

I'm sure someone out there does!

And agreed, makes a big difference with it on imo. Also prefer the shape with the top!

 

[DMC63]

Great detailed reply kis, along with lots of really useful pics - should help DMC63 sleep and avoid the shrink.

Thanks for taking the time to post these pics Kis...I sleep like a log now and have cancelled the sessions I'd booked with the shrink
It never fails to surprise me how helpful the members of this forum are. Gratitude moment And some great humor too :wink:

 

[kis]

Thanks for taking the time to post these pics Kis...I sleep like a log now and have cancelled the sessions I'd booked with the shrink
It never fails to surprise me how helpful the members of this forum are. Gratitude moment And some great humor too :wink:

Welcome mate

 

[DMC63]

I though it was steel too?

May well be!
However due to the weight I thought its too light for steel? Unless as Chris said it's only a thin sheet...

I initially thought it was a thin steel panel

One of the fasteners nicked its housing in the hardtop as well... this showed that same white resin/glass fibre type material. So that's why I said resin. May well be a predominant thin steel sheet which is moulded with the resin to form the overall shape?

I was told they're fiberglass. Maybe an email to BMW HQ would reveal the specs....I'm going to email them now

 

[kis]

Nice one! Keep us updated!

 

[Blackpony]

Had to remove my lining from my Z4 hardtop as the glue failed after fifteen years. Thanks to kis and all for this thread , the job was much easier than expected. Did anyone have to replace the three hidden plastic clips in the head liner, forward of the rear window?
Cheers

 

[kis]

You're very welcome! Exactly why I posted the pics... although quality of the photos looks diabolical! I've a much better camera on the phone now
Not sure what 3 hidden clips you mean? Photos might help

 

[Aebous]

Hello z4-forum my old friend!

I just recently got my hardtop and the liner is sagging. I was going to pull the shell with liner off, but it has those metal clips hidden on the inside...how many are there? Can I just pull strongly and they will come out? If I pull the shell aggressively to unseat it will it break?

 

[Blackpony]

Excellent write-up kis and I'm sure this will help others too, maybe including myself - I'm thinking about adding extra insulation (2mm adhesive mat) between the top shell and lining for even more of a cosy,quiet feel


I'd expect it to be made of GRP or some other rigid polymer material although I initially thought it was a thin steel panel due to the sheer weight of it.

Did you have any problems with the extra insulation affecting the fit of the liner shell and hard top?

A felt pad may be better for weight, wear and compresability by the liner shell. Just like the old days: https://www.thefeltcompany.com/eco-felt/.

Noise levels will also be reduced using the outside side covers installed under the hard top.

My hard top is a polymer material. The front corners were damaged by storing the hard top glass up, by a previous owner, and no metal was imbedded there. The glass rear window is perhaps the heaviest part of the top.

 

[Chris_D]

Excellent write-up kis and I'm sure this will help others too, maybe including myself - I'm thinking about adding extra insulation (2mm adhesive mat) between the top shell and lining for even more of a cosy,quiet feel


I'd expect it to be made of GRP or some other rigid polymer material although I initially thought it was a thin steel panel due to the sheer weight of it.

Did you have any problems with the extra insulation affecting the fit of the liner shell and hard top?

A felt pad may be better for weight, wear and compresability by the liner shell. Just like the old days: https://www.thefeltcompany.com/eco-felt/.

Noise levels will also be reduced using the outside side covers installed under the hard top.

My hard top is a polymer material. The front corners were damaged by storing the hard top glass up, by a previous owner, and no metal was imbedded there. The glass rear window is perhaps the heaviest part of the top.

Holy thread revival batman! :lol:

No, I never got around to it. I decided it was one of those ‘maximum effort, minimum return’ jobs, so I didn’t bother.
Not concerned about outside noise as I’m usually cranking up the DnB anyway. And my heater works a treat so no need from a thermal perspective. 8)

 

[Blackpony]

Know what you mean. My shell liner is removed for fabric replacement making for a minimum effort task. When it came to selecting the felt, the task became a maximum effort to sort out. The types of felt are endless, https://www.professionalplastics.com/professionalplastics/TypesofFelt.pdf. S.A.E. F-7 Pressed Felt is best for my application as it meets U.S. safety standards. A dynamat sound deadener would be heavier and more flammable.

The hardtop looks good on the Z-4 and is quieter, i.e. wind noise (dBA), for top up high speed touring. In the winter months the soft top is protected from water freezing and salt spray. Some sound deadening material in the hardtop will decrease the Z-4 interior noise Decibel Level​. More dBA available for engine, exhaust and music.

 

[kis]

Hello z4-forum my old friend!

I just recently got my hardtop and the liner is sagging. I was going to pull the shell with liner off, but it has those metal clips hidden on the inside...how many are there? Can I just pull strongly and they will come out? If I pull the shell aggressively to unseat it will it break?

Hello! Welcome back? :lol: Mine came out quite easily, I think they are like hooks? So I pushed the liner slightly to distort it, right where the clips are, then you should be able to push down and twist it out. I can't remember where the clips are, but there are not many. I didn't pull as I was worried the liner plastic would crack. Although if you're having problems you could just cut the clips? The liner is held in with lots of screws anyway

 

[Kev]

Useful info

 

[Mike123]

+1 for the write up - did mine last night

Now awaiting respray and new set of plastic screws ordered