How to replace soft top motor without removing roof.. DONE!

[paulc_bkk]

These updated instructions definitely give another perspective for what seems like an otherwise daunting task

I’ve tried twice already to “fish around” from the rear and been unsuccessful so this sounds like a good idea that doesn’t require a complete roof removal

This could be my next plan of attack, so thank you for sharing

 

[Roberltd2]

One more thing I found out elsewhere on the Forum recently which I didn't know before. If you keep your finger / thumb on the unlock button on the key fob for about five seconds, the roof will retract - magic! Not sure if it works for all models but mine's a 2007 facelift.
Robert.

 

[enzed4]

One more thing I found out elsewhere on the Forum recently which I didn't know before. If you keep your finger / thumb on the unlock button on the key fob for about five seconds, the roof will retract - magic! Not sure if it works for all models but mine's a 2007 facelift.
Robert.

If it's been coded on your car, pressing and holding the lock button will put the roof and windows back up and lock the doors

 

[Roberltd2]

Thank you enzed. Will try this.
Robert

 

[JimD]

Hi all,
Just revisiting this thread. Am contemplating doing this fix but equally tempted to use Bowser 34 as I am not too far from Camberley. Does anyone know if he still does this fix? I would PM him but being new to the forum I am not allowed to.
Cheers

 

[rumbamark]

Hi I hope you can help me. One of the few sunny days we had last week my wife put the roof down on our Z4.
Unfortunately it doesn't want to come back up. My friend and I tried to raise it manually by following some suggestions found online, without success. So it back in the garage
Mike you sound extremely knowledgeable any ideas please.

 

[Nharris89]

So after following the amazing instructions at the start of this post, along with much....much sweating, shouting and general cursing at the boot of my zed, I now have a motor in the boot!!! Good news right? No....I took the motor away from the hydraulic unit, cleaned it all up with wd40 and got.it spinning freely by hand, plugged it into a battery, nothing! It's dead. Plugged it all back into the car and unit, put new crimped clamps on and new in line connectors to replace the rusty old ones and it still didn't do anything, no noise no nothing. Ok I thought, it turns out the bracket the bowden cable sits in on the pump end is broken and not doing anything, meaning the motor is permanently stuck in manual mode. Not sure if I broke it or it was broken before and that's why the motor wouldn't work, but that's neither here nor there now I guess. Does anyone know how to override the manual switch? At present the brass pin is stuck out, does it need to be forced in and hd with anything? Any help would be hugely appreciated! I've also pm'd Bowser134 to ask about a replacement motor.

 

[Grizzly9]

Just last week I went and had my roof motor relocated by Ross (Bowser34). He did an excellent job and I just wanted to recommend him if like me you would rather pay and get someone else to do the job. I would post pics but haven't sussed out how to yet.
He took about 40 mins and I'm well chuffed with the result and peace of mind I have now. Based in Hook and even provides a 'hidden' compartment for the motor. Top man.

 

[Mangozac]

Can anybody confirm that these instructions are the same on a facelift E85? My roof motor has failed and I've just spent hours trying to pull it out through the boot. That insulating box it's in just won't budge, even after I managed to cut the cable tie between it and the hydraulic actuator!

 

[SparkyZ4]

Good evening

Is Bowser34 still carrying out roof repairs?

Yep mine has stopped working

Regards

Jeff

 

[Mr Tidy]

Yes Jeff, Ross is still doing them.

Here's a link to his website:- https://www.rbmhampshire.co.uk/

 

[SparkyZ4]

Thanks Mr Tidy, I will give him a call

 

[Double Zero]

Took mine took Ross last weekend, great work turned around in under 2 hours

Finally suns back out had a spin with the roof down this afternoon

 

[Rldee007]

Hi all,

Once you have removed the motor do you need to reinstall the casing?

 

[DMike]

Once you have removed the motor do you need to reinstall the casing?

Not necessarily, but I did because the foam was dry and I thought it might provide some sound insulation and collect hydraulic fluid in case of a leak. With the casing the motor doesn’t fit as nicely in the recess as without it.

 

[Rldee007]

Hi DMike,

Thank you for your reply.

Doesn't it rattle around as you drive or have you managed to secure it again?

I was thinking of leaving it out as (a.) I have seen people clean the holes with a rod and I guess with no motor in the way this is easier? (b) If it was to fill it can hole more water until braking point lol (which might not be a good idea).

I think I might of answered my own question but if anyone can correct me I am all ears.

 

[DMike]

Hi DMike,

Thank you for your reply.

Doesn't it rattle around as you drive or have you managed to secure it again?

I was thinking of leaving it out as (a.) I have seen people clean the holes with a rod and I guess with no motor in the way this is easier? (b) If it was to fill it can hole more water until braking point lol (which might not be a good idea).

I think I might of answered my own question but if anyone can correct me I am all ears.

Sorry RIdee007, I was ambiguous. To clarify, I have the motor in the casing and the casing in the recess inside the boot. The well is now easy to clean with a silicon hose attached to a vacuum cleaner, 1 minute job once a year.

 

[DMike]

Hi DMike,

Thank you for your reply.

Doesn't it rattle around as you drive or have you managed to secure it again?

I was thinking of leaving it out as (a.) I have seen people clean the holes with a rod and I guess with no motor in the way this is easier? (b) If it was to fill it can hole more water until braking point lol (which might not be a good idea).

I think I might of answered my own question but if anyone can correct me I am all ears.

Sorry RIdee007, I was ambiguous. To clarify, I have the motor in the casing and the casing in the recess inside the boot. The well is now easy to clean with a silicon hose attached to a vacuum cleaner, 1 minute job once a year.

An old photo. With the casing the motor will sit at a 45 deg angle. I had to top up with some hydraulic fluid to compensate for this.

 

[Rldee007]

Thanks DMike looks good. I was planning to get some hardboard, velcro, trim carpet and foam to protect and insulate the motor but if I can keep the cover on too might be the way to compliment what I had in mind.

How do you top up the fluid and what do you use? I tested mine in the same position as yours (just placed) and it appears to work fine.

 

[DMike]

Thanks DMike looks good. I was planning to get some hardboard, velcro, trim carpet and foam to protect and insulate the motor but if I can keep the cover on too might be the way to compliment what I had in mind.

How do you top up the fluid and what do you use? I tested mine in the same position as yours (just placed) and it appears to work fine.

The white reservoir has a plus sign: with the reservoir held upright the fluid level should be between the upper and lower edge of the sign. I topped a bit more with no apparent harm and several years later no issues. On top of the reservoir is a filler plug.