Project 74: Convertible Top Adjustment / Repair

[Wayne 962]

Got any questions on Project 74 for your E36 or E30? Ask them here!

-Wayne

[shermanc]

Hello Wayne,

May I ask the part number of this so I can order? My guess is this "Repair Kit, Internal Headliner Repair Kit F (Contains screws and reinforcement clips), E36 Convertibles", but I need to confirm as there is no photos of it.

http://www.101projects.com/BMW/Projects/074/images/DSC06202.JPG

My headliner drops down so I need to purchase this part to hold it up again. May I also ask if there is any instructions coming with the kit? Or is it a fairly easy fix when I have the kit hands on?

Thanks a lot!

Sherman

[Wayne 962]

Hi there. The part numbers are all listed in the 101 Book on Page 210. This one is 54-31-8-227-354, and can be purchased here:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/pel_search.cgi?please_wait=N&forumid=&threadid=&command=DWsearch&description=54-31-8-227-354&FILTER_TECH=ON&FILTER_SUPP=ON&FILTER_ACCE=ON&FILTER_CARE=ON&FILTER_STUF=ON&FILTER_PERF=ON&FILTER_MISC=ON&FILTER_GADG=ON&FILTER_TOOL=ON&FILTER_APOR=ON&FILTER_PORS=ON&FILTER_911E=ON&FILTER_911M=ON&FILTER_911L=ON&FILTER_996M=ON&FILTER_356M=ON&FILTER_9144=ON&FILTER_944M=ON&FILTER_928M=ON

-Wayne

[xaviervp]

Wayne

Im replacing my top on the E30 have 2 broken screws referred as #28 but in different sizes they are hard to identify since the list in realoem just gives them by size and at bmw the least expensive ones are 27 each.

is there an alternate source for these screws?

Thanks
Xavier

[DucTrip9]

Hello,

I have a '99 323i convert. with a bent main push rod for the convertible top. I can straighten it (if the design length was known) or replace it, but what (sensor?) could have caused this?

Thanks

[E36_Ron]

Wayne's bonus photographs here are extremely valuable.

Among the things they show are bits of disintegrated plastic from the headliner littering the convertible top storage compartment -- in particular, COVERING UP the compartment drain holes adjacent to the mechanism close to the door handles at each side. Go look at your own car to find and see them.

These drain holes are CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, because the compartment is designed to drain water that naturally enters around the seals. If the drain holes are blocked (as they ALWAYS will be if you have a deteriorated inner lining -- defined as "more than 10 years old"), water builds up into a HUGE LAKE in this compartment, and then spills over through two tiny openings at the front and FLOODS THE REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT!

Let's not talk about the cost and inconvenience of this (and the lack of knowledge of most dealers and repair shops about how to fix it).

Suffice it to say, you HAVE to remove and vacuum out all vestiges of this deteriorating inner liner plastic to prevent this problem. The headliner will be perfectly fine without the plastic. (if not, spend the money and replace it.)

I also recommend periodic visual inspection of the drain holes. especially before you install the optional hardtop for the winter if you have one. Otherwise you will always have a soggy old car that sucks up money, instead of a beautiful, clean convertible that's a pleasure to ride around in.

[ArthurB]

Good Afternoon Wayne,

I can't find any info on the motor in the hood compartment of the E30 that pulls the wires to hold the locks on the compartment lid shut. On my E30 I believe there is an attachment missing as the motor is not engaging with the lever that's attached to the wires so the lid won't lock.

I don't know if you have a photo of yours or any idea of the part that is missing?

I've attached a photo so you can see the bit I mean,

Thanks for you help,

Arthur

[ArthurB]

Sorry I mean the motor that locks the soft top compartment lid down, any ideas?

[ChillyB]

Well, I have a 1997 E36 with motorized top. The top has two issues that I need to fix and I already have the parts. Could use some help, though.

1. The rear of the soft top does not raise far enough for the lid to clear. I have to pull up the back of the top so the lid can open up without snagging the plastic window. I have the two little torsion springs that I suppose should hoist the back of the top higher, but I have no idea how to get at them to change them.

2. The sides of the headliner pulled free from the plastic wings. I have new wings because they were all broken up. Not sure the elastic string is routed correctly from previous owner's poor attempts to glue things back together.

Thanks,
ChillyB

[rwmm415]

In the comments on the article about convertible top covers (project 074), I have the same question as TonyMac1959 about the name of the little plastic cover pieces on the tonneau covers that many verts seems to be missing. You asked him to post a picture but there's no follow up in the comments. However, going through YOUR bonus pictures for this project, I can clearly see a picture of the part that I'm talking about - DSC05362.jpg. My question is....WHAT ARE THEY CALLED? I'd be happy to order them from Pelican if I knew the name of the item and how to install them.

Thanks,
Robert Miller