My convertible doesn't like summer!

M

Maniac

Elite
So the last two days have hit 30c here in Chorlton. This has resulted in something expanding in the roof mech in the direct sun enough to upset her. Not noticeable until it closes and tries to lock the hard top down with a loud clack. Now it's around 20c the roof closes just fine.

She's not happy about the heat!
 
I wonder if the roof stops on the E89 are adjusted by hand rather than robot at the factory. The thread the other week regarding clunking roof closing had the OP and myself to name two reporting said clunk and yourself saying you did'nt get this where we did, but a bit of a clunk in the rear section, I've seen the stops in the boot and the threads are not overly fine so maybe yours was very slightly better adjusted in different areas than mine for eg, and 30deg, which is hot enough, expands the roof just enough to make yours clunk in a different roof section.
 
I've played with the stops, it's not that. It closes quietly, it's the lock at the end that in high temps goes clack clack where normally it's just a whirr.

I'm not faffing with it, I'll likely make it worse. Going to call at BMW for some new lubricant as at 6+ years it might need a bit putting back on the clamps.
 
It has been seriously hot Gary & black paint would only increase the heat soak :cry:
Get that garage cleared out or a carport/gazebo for it


shaded20003_zpsfx2u6yes.jpg
 
It's never happened before. Noticed it after the run home after it had been in the works car park all day.

It's probably just a minor adjustment somewhere to counter material expansion. Where to adjust however is a different story.
 
Maniac said:
It's never happened before. Noticed it after the run home after it had been in the works car park all day.

It's probably just a minor adjustment somewhere to counter material expansion. Where to adjust however is a different story.
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I would'nt go anywhere near it, adjust one stop and it alters the wrong area, try to correct it then before you know it you're chasing yourself round the thing like a cat with a banger tied to it's tail and a roof that closes on the bonnet.
 
mr wilks said:
It has been seriously hot Gary & black paint would only increase the heat soak :cry:
Get that garage cleared out or a carport/gazebo for it


shaded20003_zpsfx2u6yes.jpg
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Hi Mr Wilks

What wheels are they you have please, size and make if you can and where did you get them from? Think they would look good on my Melbourne Red 35i :thumbsup:
 
techathy said:
Is this locking the hard-top down in the boot or locking up after a drive?
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When the roof is closing, the last action where the piston clamps pull the rear clamshell into a locked position after it meets the deck.

Probably combo of wear, material expansion and lack of grease.
 
Surely it should deal with 30deg, still not that warm really is it compared to some other areas these cars are sold in the world.
 
Jasperoony.

I've seen those wheels over on Bimmerpost, they are normally fitted to M3s and the like.

Try Style 437 M.
 
tomscott said:
Surely it should deal with 30deg, still not that warm really is it compared to some other areas these cars are sold in the world.
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Yes it should... But it doesn't..

As I've already said I suspect this is partly material expansion which it should cope with, partly wear (I have one of the oldest e89s and the roof gets used a lot), partly the need for maintenance (grease on any drying joints).

I've owned this car for many years and no hot day has ever done this so something else has changed. The proper grease for the job will be the first place to start.

It's not doing it today however, lower temps I guess.
 
So not grease or clamp related. I took all the plastic covers off to watch the mechanism at play and it looks like either a slightly out of alignment mech (twist) or failing piston as one side moves smoothly and the other side takes around a second before moving as if initially stuck. Could just be lube in the joints needed due to material expansion or wear or could be a twist that's developed over time.

Further observation should narrow the culprit but as it needs to be 28+C before it happens ill be pushed to find the cause in the uk weather. A dealer won't be any help either unless they can heat the car up.

So, heads up to all those with ageing e89s, keep the warranty running as this roof is complicated and expensive to fix when it starts to wear.

No wonder BMW are going back to soft tops.
 
Noisy side... This activates (in 28+C) a second after the other, noisily. On cooler days it works at the same time as the other.

[youtube]H2nO8tu1aSA[/youtube]

The quiet/normal side, which sounds noisy at the end as the other side is the one that clunks a second after this side finishes quietly.

[youtube]3fb61hgD6hg[/youtube]
 
Maniac said:
Bit of lube on the mechanism...

#Sorted
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Good stuff , what did you use & what part of the mechanism ? Only ask as what can appear to lubricate initially goes on to attract dust & grit particles then can worsen the original situation ?
A dry graphite possibly the best longterm ?
 
The bit that was sticking was a riveted joint on the base of the rear clamshell ram, so no chance of proper access. Applied some Teflon dry spray to it. Worse case warranty but seems fine now.
 
Maniac said:
The bit that was sticking was a riveted joint so no chance of proper access. Applied some Teflon dry spray to it.
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Sounds sorted & only what the tech at BMW would have done then relieved you of £150 for the "adjustment" :wink:
 
mr wilks said:
Maniac said:
The bit that was sticking was a riveted joint so no chance of proper access. Applied some Teflon dry spray to it.
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Sounds sorted & only what the tech at BMW would have done then relieved you of £150 for the "adjustment" :wink:
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£150 at least... :roll: Good end result, another one to put in the log. :thumbsup:
 
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