Roof problem (possible bad hinge?)

[helloitsme]

Hello everyone,
I recently repaired the broken roof motor on my e85. My problem is, it need a very little push when going down, shortly after it unlatch from top hooks. Then it folds great, but doesnt lock in bottom hatch, which isnt that much problem, again, it needs just one finger push to lock. But going up with the roof, it need more help (not much force) until its around head rollbars, then its going great and locks in place.
A few things i noticed: The passenger side piston looks like doesnt work as much as driver side piston.
Theres no leaks. But sometimes you can see the roof going up in little angle.
The second thing i noticed is, when i manually drop roof down, theres more oil in roof motor oil tank as when its goes down by button. When i manually drop the roof, it has power to fully going back up without help (by button). I think the motor works great. Also, theres no leaks on pipes.. The oil reservoir stays at the same (full) level as i poured it in.

Any tips?

Thanks!


BMW Z4 2004 2.5l

 

[enuff_zed]

Check the bypass plunger is fully out.
Or it could possibly be the pump starting to get weak.

 

[helloitsme]

Do you mean the brass button which is operating bypass right? Ive already made sure its working, i put some grease on it too and pressed it many times when i had the plastic cover with bowden out. I also refubrished the pump, first when i bought the car (the roof wasnt working at all) i heard that the motor was spinning without traction. It was because it was missing the small metal piece on the pump plastic wheel which is connected to motor. But i fixed that. Now the motor works great (i assume by sound etc..) Also, its lifting up and down the roof, in the middle section perfectly. Its just on the start (either going up or down) when its need helps.
I suspect the hinge, because of roof going stronger on driver side and its making the roof go little bit crooked.
Ive heard that theres some gaskets in hinge that can go bad, but theres not much info about that on the forum..but also i didnt notice any fluid missing in reservoir after using the roof (just what i described, when manually going down, theres little extra fluid back in reservoir).

 

[Marcus45]

Hey It sounds like you're dealing with some issues with the roof motor Needing a little push when lowering and raising the roof might suggest the passenger side piston is weakIt could be worth checking its pressure or replacing it.From my experience, it's also good to ensure all connections are well - lubricated.It can really help the system operate smoother.Good luck with the repair!

 

[helloitsme]

Here are some videos of operating the roof.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ojs626awdoppr26fvs6fz/AAprBzmphog2GuaprJAo9q8?rlkey=av0rs3efkqpqmlzc1kyw1s53q&st=9bw5r913&dl=0

 

[Jas- USA]

Well, given what you posted, I don't believe your hinge lifters have any issues. You've checked the bypass, and it appears to be ok. The fluid level is good. The only thing that basically remains is the pump head on top of the electric motor. I've never actually work on the pump head but if they start to fail there will be hydraulic pressure drops which will cause the top to stop or be choppy in movement.