Convertible Top out of wack

[B3M2W8iC]

If is not one thing is the other! I have a 97' 328i convertible and the top is hitting the tonneau cover when open and close. Any advice?

[bimmercon]

I am having the same problem with my car? I have been told that it is out of adjustment but no one has been able to tell me where to adjust? My repair manual does not go into any details.

[IanFG]

I have the same problem on my 96 328 C - after months actually getting it to work at all!!! The bottom bow does not rise far enough to allow the tonneau to clear. HAving read the many many threads, etc., on convertibles, here and in other forums it looks like the problem is that there are tension bands that bring the bottom bow up and they have lost their elasticity. They need to be re riveted to tighten them... I gather.

I'm going to deal with this in the next few weeks - but if you find the solution please post it -- as I will.

Ill also try to post the link to the other discussions on this.

[johnnyBgood]

YouTube - BMW DIY #3 E36 Top Repair

YouTube - BMW DIY #3 E36 Top Repair

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

your Tension straps have gone south

[IanFG]

Lets assume its NOT the tension straps - as in my case this is a new top.... are there any adjustments that can be made to the tonneau activating arm ( to raise it further) or to the top raising arm?

[IanFG]

Here is the link to the other discussion on the tension straps

Convertible top hanging on Tonneau, Help!! - bimmerfest - BMW Forums

[B3M2W8iC]

My convertible top in sync. The tension straps is one problem that now reading your post I recognize, but I my main problem is that the tonneau cover doesn't go back far enough for the top to clear it on its way down or up. I might do some work on it this weekend and see what I can find.

[IanFG]

let me know what you find out I think thats my problem too but havent been able to look at it as promised because the.....car has been in the garage getting the ignition fixed!!! really whoever heard of an ignition switch going? but to a BMW dealer it is "oh thats one of the common problems!!""""""

[B3M2W8iC]

I finally figured it out. Apparently the tonneau cover motor slide back over the years causing the problem I/we had. This is what you do:
1. Take the cover out to expose the tonneau motor inside the trunk.

2. Pic 1 & 2 - Loosen the top and bottom two nuts that hold the assembly in place. Also, that bar across that you see in the first picture is what brings the tonneau cover up, take the clip out and unhook it from the motor.

3. Pic 3 - Take the bulb out of the stop light so you don't break it in your next step.

4. Pic 4 - Use a pry bar or something similar to push the motor forward and then secure the nuts tightly.

5. Pic 5 - Now I have about 3/4 in of clearance on the tonneau cover.

IMP Note: In order to put the bar on the motor you took out earlier, you have to able to open just a little the tonneau cover with the trunk open (remember is not going to open because you unhooked it from the motor earlier).
--What you do is: close the truck latch with a screw driver and find the push switch that activate the truck lights and keep it press in (you can have somebody do this one for you). This will tell the convertible circuits that the trunk is close and is save to open the top.
--Now, you hit the switch to open the top until you see it disengage and you are able to open it with your hands (it happens really fast). Then, with one hand open the cover until the bar line up with the motor pin where you took it out, push it in and replace the clip and you set. Now close the trunk the right way and try it out. You should get the same clearance I got. Good luck.

[witeshark]

Good of you to share the outcome

[h2144]

thanks you shared this, you saved me replacing the struts, which are on other forums said to be the problem.. This is much easier and cheaper;-)

I have two IMPROVEMENTS though that I want to add.
1. the important one - I didnt understand, why you unhooked the rod lifting the tonneau only to have to play with the trunk switch.. So I tried without unhooking it and it worked fine like that;-)
2. minor thing - I used probably bigger pry bar, so I was able to put it behind the light so i didnt use the wood and didnt need to take out the bulb;-)
like this:


thanks again! How did you did you find out that the motor can be moved forward anyway? I thought there might be a way to do something like this but didnt think about the motor - you cant see that the hole for screws is longer..

[y2kbmet]

This worked like a champ and you just saved me from ordering two shocks for the tonneau cover - which I have no idea how I would have put them in!

Between you and Zack at Mafia Stomp who showed me how to resync everything (after I had to replace the tonneau cover motor), my 1998 328I top is back to new!