Help, new top, won’t close, getting frustrated.

robert16 · 04-14-2018, 10:19 PM

Took old top off, new top on, all bolts are roughly in but it still is about two inches from closing when it finishes it’s cycle.

Could a cable be in the mechanism?

Can someone please help

robert16 · 04-15-2018, 09:18 AM

This is the pic.

Steeler · 04-15-2018, 10:03 AM

Not real helpful here, but...

Could the fabric need to stretch?
Can you help the pump close the top by pulling it into place for those last few inches??

robert16 · 04-15-2018, 11:35 AM

Someone else said that but is stretching it a common thing.

BMW said let it sit in the sun for a few days. Not really warm out yet.

Steeler · 04-15-2018, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert16

Someone else said that but is stretching it a common thing.

BMW said let it sit in the sun for a few days. Not really warm out yet.

I have never replaced a top so don’t know if common
Letting it warm up would definitely help

ncroadster · 04-15-2018, 04:03 PM

When I got a new top on my Z3 the installer said it would be tight for a while until it stretched. She recommended several wet/dry cycles to help it loosen up. It closed easily after a few weeks and has always been leak free for 4+ years. The Z4 top is is thicker, with many layers, and may be a different proposition to break in.

robert16 · 04-15-2018, 05:59 PM

But it shouldn’t be this hard to install.

dc_wright · 04-15-2018, 07:12 PM

Yes, they are that tight initially. It might take a day or so to get it to where it will make it to the windshield frame, possibly longer if the weather is cold. When I did mine that was about where it stopped initially. I helped it go a bit farther and then let it sit like that overnight. The next day I backed it up and then helped it move forward again and the gap closed to about an inch. I let it sit like that again overnight. Next day it got almost to the windshield frame and I pushed it the rest of the way by having the wife press the top button while I applied pressure on top of the front of the top. That got it to the windshield frame and then I had to push forward from the inside to get the alignment pins into their sockets and get it latched down. Once you get it there leave for 4-5 days before you try opening it again. You may still have to give a bit of a push to get the alignment pins into their sockets for another week or so but after that you should be good to go. It will all depend on if you can get some sun on it to warm the canvas.

robert16 · 04-15-2018, 10:27 PM

Really , ok I will try that, but we need some warm days. I feel like the canvas is very tight already.

04-14-2018, 10:19 PM	#1
robert16 Private 9 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 SI 36,000 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Clinton IL iTrader: (0)	Help, new top, won’t close, getting frustrated. Took old top off, new top on, all bolts are roughly in but it still is about two inches from closing when it finishes it’s cycle. Could a cable be in the mechanism? Can someone please help
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04-15-2018, 09:18 AM	#2
robert16 Private 9 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 SI 36,000 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Clinton IL iTrader: (0)	This is the pic. Attached Images
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04-15-2018, 10:03 AM	#3
Steeler Colonel 2428 Rep 2,704 Posts Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada iTrader: (2)	Not real helpful here, but... Could the fabric need to stretch? Can you help the pump close the top by pulling it into place for those last few inches?? __________________ W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX
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04-15-2018, 11:35 AM	#4
robert16 Private 9 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 SI 36,000 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Clinton IL iTrader: (0)	Someone else said that but is stretching it a common thing. BMW said let it sit in the sun for a few days. Not really warm out yet.
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04-15-2018, 04:03 PM	#6
ncroadster New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2001 2.5i Z3 Roadster Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Greensboro, NC iTrader: (0)	When I got a new top on my Z3 the installer said it would be tight for a while until it stretched. She recommended several wet/dry cycles to help it loosen up. It closed easily after a few weeks and has always been leak free for 4+ years. The Z4 top is is thicker, with many layers, and may be a different proposition to break in.
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04-15-2018, 05:59 PM	#7
robert16 Private 9 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 SI 36,000 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Clinton IL iTrader: (0)	But it shouldn’t be this hard to install.
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04-15-2018, 07:12 PM	#8
dc_wright Captain 249 Rep 758 Posts Drives: 2006 Z43.0si Roadster Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Yes, they are that tight initially. It might take a day or so to get it to where it will make it to the windshield frame, possibly longer if the weather is cold. When I did mine that was about where it stopped initially. I helped it go a bit farther and then let it sit like that overnight. The next day I backed it up and then helped it move forward again and the gap closed to about an inch. I let it sit like that again overnight. Next day it got almost to the windshield frame and I pushed it the rest of the way by having the wife press the top button while I applied pressure on top of the front of the top. That got it to the windshield frame and then I had to push forward from the inside to get the alignment pins into their sockets and get it latched down. Once you get it there leave for 4-5 days before you try opening it again. You may still have to give a bit of a push to get the alignment pins into their sockets for another week or so but after that you should be good to go. It will all depend on if you can get some sun on it to warm the canvas. __________________ Top Down 365
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04-15-2018, 10:27 PM	#9
robert16 Private 9 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 SI 36,000 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Clinton IL iTrader: (0)	Really , ok I will try that, but we need some warm days. I feel like the canvas is very tight already.
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