How to Remove your Soft Top.....56k Beware

Any body thats removed their roof, can you advise how to remove the hoop form the two clips? I have done all the steps but dunno how to get the hoop released from the two clips!
 
Hi All
have just bought a Z4 and low and behold after a week the roof has decided not too work, have checked all fuses and microswitch, they are all fine, so it must be a wet motor.
does any one have the pdf from shipkiller with instructions for removing the roof, with the pictures on as it doesnt seem to open on here.

Thanks in anticipation
 
So, i took the top off today. Replaced the motor which was full of water. Sealed it up and put it back in and it wont go up or down still but now i hear the motor turning. I took the thing off again, fixed an issue where I added additional washers to the hydraulic lines, then put the whole thing back in and still not working, same issue. I have spent like 8 hours today taking it apart and putting it back in over and over again. Can anyone tell me what else it may be?

The locking works fine, the motor i just replaced is brand new.. but it wont move the top up or down when I hold down the button. I use ship's guide and it was great so I don't think I did anything wrong. On a side note I can now manually pull the top up and down easier, before I replaced the motor it was stiff and difficult to move.
 
If you have no resistance in the hydraulic system I'd check the bowden cable (D ring in the boot) that activates the bypass valve first, this allows you to manually move the roof up and down.

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=78674&p=1158861&hilit=bowden#p1158861

..... and welcome to the forum :)
 
Looks like terrific instructions for removing the Z4 Soft Top but I am not getting the photos. My E85 Soft Top is starting to struggle and I want to look at the Pump/Motor, Cylinders, and Lines to see what is failing. Is there a way to get the photos or detailed instructions to remover Soft Top? Thanks in advance for your help.

Just found .pdf instructions under these posts with photos. So I should be good for now.
 
jhibbs said:
At this point I merrily spent half a day putting the hood back in the car to find it didn't work. The motor ran but no movement of the hood. I have been raising and lowering my hood by hand for some time and the pressure bypass valve in the pump body behind the Bowden Cable assembly had seized open.

Off with the hood again, rempove the black plastic cable / lever assembly, use a 5mm socket to turn the brass plunger and work it free. The plunger should spring out, mine was siezed in. A drop of light oil to lubricate the seal and check the action and back together.
Click to expand...

Thanks SO much for this post. I see you haven't visited for 5 years, but this was a god send. Had the same scenario, took the thing apart, replaced the motor, put it all back together only for it to not work. Saw this post last night after trawling the internet, tried the fix and it worked straight away. All back together now. You legend.
 
Hi all,

2007 2.5si soft top just gave out - obviously this problem is relevant to facelift E85's.
Desperate to get hold of the PDF's mentioned if anyone can help?
I've tried clicking all the links, all seem to have expired.

many thanks!
 
You don't have to remove the roof to get at, and even relocate the motor. It's a couple of hours work, less if you've done it before.

See my post... http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=86101&hilit=motor

Mike
 
Got the soft top off my Z today, been going really slowly and step by step. Overall though not an extremely difficult job and I'm certainly no mechanic/handyman/contortionist.

I did battle a little to disconnect the electric clips on the wiring harnesses but eventually I came right. There do seem to be some differences between facelift and pre-facelift cars (mine is an '07 facelift) but overall the instructions posted here are brilliant, wouldn't have managed without them. As expected, pump was sitting in a pool of water and completely soaked, annoyingly, the non-motor side was dry.

Drove the car without the roof in and definitely noticed the performance improvement, tempted to leave it out :driving:
 
Ducklakeview said:
sw4nny said:
jpoz4nc2005 said:
How can I get pictures of the removal. My email address is [email protected]
Click to expand...
See Mikes post above and follow that link.
A fair bit easier than removing the roof :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

It would seem that our advice fell on deaf ears :rofl: :rofl:

Mike
Click to expand...
It seems that way,never taken a roof off as it must be a pita of a task especially as it would be a two man job so as not to scratch or bend anything .
Anyway well done op .good luck with the fix.

Perhaps me and you should get our coats now Mike :dizzy: :rofl: :rofl:
 
Hi Shipkiller,

I have a 2006 Z4M that I purchased last spring knowing that the motor for the top was shot and would need to be replaced. You have a lot of info on here on the subject but I can't see any of the pictures that you posted and when I try to click on the link to your webpage it tells me it can't be opened. have your pics and webpage been removed?

I've already taken the roof off, replaced the motor and have the roof (mostly) back on. I ran into a couple of issues though. I don't know if I have the U shaped aluminum bracket that holds the top on set just right..... I was able to get all of the screws back in but 2 that don't seem to reach the hole. I also can't seem to get the plastic clips that hold the rear deck in place back in. There were only 2 of them in the deck (one on each side) it seems like there should have been 4(??) And I SHOULD have paid more attention to exactly how they clipped on but it was hard to see in the tight space. If you have any pics or details on those things I'd really appreciate it. You seem like the "go to" guy on here!

Thanks

Mike
 
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