Roof not latching down fully

[omar]

I've got the hardtop on at the moment but had noticed a lot of rattling from the softtop and so took it off today. Turns out that the soft top goes up and down fine, except that it doesn't go down by the last 1cm and so the latch that locks it down hadn't quite engaged. (Just to be clear, I mean down as in the last bit of the opening motion - closing is fine)

With a little helping hand it's now gone in fine and the rattle's gone, but obviously don't want it to always be like this.

When I had my big electrical failure last year the roof was stuck down so I had to raise it manually. Since having done that I've noticed that the pull cord in the boot is still 'pulled' and hasn't gone taut again. I suspect this is related to the non-latching... any ideas on how to put it back to normal?

Ta!

 

[AlanJ]

The soft top not latching in the open position was a common problem on early E85s and was subject of a BMW TIS update. In later versions (not sure of the exact date) the latch was removed. I have the same issue and when possible just push the roof down and the latch connects.

 

[bladeowner]

Is the hood folding properly? Mine wasn't


http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=50464&p=733510&hilit=roof#p733510

 

[tuco]

If the roof looks like picture 1, what did you do to get it to look like picture 2 ?

 

[bladeowner]

Pull it out with my finger ....... I read that BMW instruct you to leave your hood down overnight and the fabric will 'remember' the correct position. It doesn't always on mine and so I check everytime as I'm opening the roof with the key. I also think that if it isn't like picture 2 then it can cause the hood to rub on the trim at the rear and wear a hole in the roof.

I did try to put some stiff plastic in the fold there to spring it out automatically with limited success.

There are bulletins about this at the link in my sig.

 

[tuco]

I'm saving all of those guides ! I'll check mine later and try your method, thanks.

 

[omar]

Cheers bladeowner... took a while as the hard top had to come off again to check but that's exactly what it was... folding like picture 1. Maybe being down for months at a time with the hardtop isn't great for the folding either. Will keep an eye on it once it warms up a bit and the hardtop comes off permanently.

 

[The Badger]

I have had this very problem today - put the roof down (having had a new motor in August) the roof folded no problem but once in the folded position the red flashing light was on ! I just gently pushed the roof until it caught into the latch and then bingo all sorted !! I

Am I right in thinking that the canvas can simply forget how to fold once the roof has been out for repair ? or left up for long period of time ?

 

[Russ59]

I don't think there is a cure for this
I've stiffened the back of the canvas with various things to stop the bits folding in but to no avail.
Sometimes if I can be bothered when lowering the roof I jump out the car and pull the canvas back into position then carry on lowering and it clips shut but other times I just let go as is but doesn't click shut. Its no detriment though because it won't move locked into place or not when on the move.
I believe they omitted the locking on the facelift because of this.

 

[bladeowner]

I don't think there is a cure for this
I've stiffened the back of the canvas with various things to stop the bits folding in but to no avail.
Sometimes if I can be bothered when lowering the roof I jump out the car and pull the canvas back into position then carry on lowering and it clips shut but other times I just let go as is but doesn't click shut. Its no detriment though because it won't move locked into place or not when on the move.
I believe they omitted the locking on the facelift because of this.

You're probably right but I thought a piece of very thin spring steel (like from a clock spring) may do the trick but yet to try it. As I usually put the roof down from outside the car it's no really bother to check how it's folding. It seems better in the summer when the hood's been down for longer periods as The Badger suggests.

 

[tuco]

I checked mine today and they were folding in like yours, pulled them out and the roof was fine. I'll keep an eye on it every i drop the roof and hopefully it will settle correctly.

 

[Russ59]

I'll keep an eye on it every i drop the roof and hopefully it will settle correctly.

Mine hasn't

 

[tuco]

Can you wet the fabric where it doesn't fold correctly then fold it down and leave it overnight ?

 

[bladeowner]

Can you wet the fabric where it doesn't fold correctly then fold it down and leave it overnight ?

Haven't tried it but there again I haven't got a garage....

 

[tuco]

Neither have I, do it at work on a dry day ?

 

[bladeowner]

Neither have I, do it at work on a dry day ?

Worth a try