convertable top hydralic leak on arms with pictures

[creativeliberty1776]

So I just finished my 2003 BMW Z4 3.0 6 speeds paint job along with about $7k in misc fenders, front end, clutch, clutch, etc , and I thought I would tackle the top.. after replacing the motor and exercising the emergency release button I got the top to move a little each way, but now I'm just pumping fluid out the rear of the lift arms. Are these fixable or do I need to buy new lift cylinders?

Thanks in advance.

[creativeliberty1776]

help

[Emmrbee]

Try this place if your hinge mechanisms are leaking

https://www.tophydraulics.com/55-bmw-z4

[deemo319]

I used Top Hydraulics last year to rebuild both hinges since the price to buy new ones have gone up significantly in the last two years.

The hinges themselves are built well but the seals are a serious weakness and will fail.

They are fairly responsive to emails and got someone to pick up the phone once when I called them.

When they come back they look very industrial and don't look like they will fail again, ever.

[creativeliberty1776]

I just called top Hydraulics and its $950 to have refurbs sent to me and a $400 credit when I send my cores in 2 weeks lead time , and or $500 to have mine rebuilt with 4-5 weeks lead time, Has anyone tried successfully to just delete the hinges and make the top manual?

[jwolf]

I can vouch for TopHydraulics. They did mine. They supposedly use very long lasting seals. I would be wary of new ones from BMW being very old stock. The rubber dries out with age.

[creativeliberty1776]

Thank you sir...how many miles have your rebuilt lasted?

[JAS1169]

Originally Posted by creativeliberty1776

I just called top Hydraulics and its $950 to have refurbs sent to me and a $400 credit when I send my cores in 2 weeks lead time , and or $500 to have mine rebuilt with 4-5 weeks lead time, Has anyone tried successfully to just delete the hinges and make the top manual?

If you want it to be manual, don't delete the hinges. Simply re-install the roof as is. Since there is no longer any fluid in the system, there will be no back pressure and the top will move freely. Then to operate the top you'll push the top-down button. The top will release from the windshield frame and stop. You'll need to manually lower the top. When closing the top you'll need to manually rase the top to windshield frame and then push the top up button. The top will then lock into the windshield frame.