Rear quarter panel removal.

B

B328iC

Member
I'm currently in the process of replacing the rear quarter panel on my e85. Thanks to another post I know where all of the attachment points are. The question I have is how to get to that dreaded one out that's up on the upper portion right by the convertible top. I'm not really wanting to remove the top. Is it possible to reach it by removing rear tire and the inner liner? According to the diagram posted here the bolt goes from the bottom up.
Rear _quarter_E85.png
 
No, can’t do it that way I’m afraid. Only option is to loosen the roof from inside the boot - there is a metal bracing that goes around the perimeter of the trunk. Loosen it off (like 7 bolts I think) and that should give you enough leverage to pull the roof away from the panel where that final bolt is located.

Took me ages first time I did it but once you get a gap big enough it’s easy to get to the bolt. Just be careful not to damage the rubber as you pull it away from the panel; you do risk deforming it and if you damage it, it won’t seal back up when you put everything back together.

ETA the bolt is removed from inside the boot; but you still need to loosen the roof to get access. There’s actually a few guides on here if you search for them.
 
Thanks! I was figuring that the 7 bolts of the top were the only way. This rubber you refer to is that on the quarter panel or the roof frame? How hard is it to slide off? It shouldn't be held in place by any adhesive correct?
 
There's a trick to doing it without having to remove the shelf. Haven't tried it but might be in future so tell me how you get on.

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=121246#top
 
parabolica said:
No, can’t do it that way I’m afraid. Only option is to loosen the roof from inside the boot - there is a metal bracing that goes around the perimeter of the trunk. Loosen it off (like 7 bolts I think) and that should give you enough leverage to pull the roof away from the panel where that final bolt is located.

Took me ages first time I did it but once you get a gap big enough it’s easy to get to the bolt. Just be careful not to damage the rubber as you pull it away from the panel; you do risk deforming it and if you damage it, it won’t seal back up when you put everything back together.

ETA the bolt is removed from inside the boot; but you still need to loosen the roof to get access. There’s actually a few guides on here if you search for them.
Click to expand...

That’s the way I use

Simon 3.2 did a write up I am sure I looked at it before doing my 1st
 
bigwinn said:
parabolica said:
No, can’t do it that way I’m afraid. Only option is to loosen the roof from inside the boot - there is a metal bracing that goes around the perimeter of the trunk. Loosen it off (like 7 bolts I think) and that should give you enough leverage to pull the roof away from the panel where that final bolt is located.

Took me ages first time I did it but once you get a gap big enough it’s easy to get to the bolt. Just be careful not to damage the rubber as you pull it away from the panel; you do risk deforming it and if you damage it, it won’t seal back up when you put everything back together.

ETA the bolt is removed from inside the boot; but you still need to loosen the roof to get access. There’s actually a few guides on here if you search for them.
Click to expand...

That’s the way I use

Simon 3.2 did a write up I am sure I looked at it before doing my 1st
Click to expand...
I did a search on Simon 3.2 but didn't find anything. Do you remember where that was?
 
Look for Simon's write up..you don't need to loosen the roof or the shelf. It's a bastard to get to but it can be done.
I did it without removing these, ignore the carnage, you can see the roof is still clearly attached :)
 

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LittleZ4 said:
Look for Simon's write up..you don't need to loosen the roof or the shelf. It's a bastard to get to but it can be done.
I did it without removing these, ignore the carnage, you can see the roof is still clearly attached :)
Click to expand...
How did you get to it? I have tried many different ways and the only one I can see is removing the 7 bolts holding the back of the top to the car and pushing it down to gain access. Haven't tried removing the carpet in the trunk yet. But reaching my hands in there I can't feel a thing.
 
B328iC said:
LittleZ4 said:
Look for Simon's write up..you don't need to loosen the roof or the shelf. It's a bastard to get to but it can be done.
I did it without removing these, ignore the carnage, you can see the roof is still clearly attached :)
Click to expand...
How did you get to it? I have tried many different ways and the only one I can see is removing the 7 bolts holding the back of the top to the car and pushing it down to gain access. Haven't tried removing the carpet in the trunk yet. But reaching my hands in there I can't feel a thing.
Click to expand...

I pulled the weather strip (rubber) out of the way and pushed the roof down till I could get in there, it's a squeeze mind!!
 
Yeap I did what littlez did. Although removing the 7 bolts around the inner frame will give you more play when you push the canvass down. It’s a pig of a job the first time.
 
I have to admit on a previous car I got to it using the detailed process, only to strip the bstard t30

I may have got an angle grinder out after that
 
For anyone that removes the 7 bolts that fasten the top frame to the car. You DON"T have to lie on your back trying to get to them through the trunk. You also don't have to remove the top tray in the trunk. What you do is pull the flap that is attached to the tray so you can move it around. Then go inside the car and access the bolts from between the seats. If you have a wind deflector it will need to be removed. But doing it this way you have a straight shot at all the bolts and the tray to catch all of them except the 2 on the sides.
BTW if you are trying to reinstall the clips into the trunk shelf. Going in this way is SO much easier.
 
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