California Roof Removal How?
 

Hi to all!

Have A 1996 318ti / CAL roof. It needs removed to repair some broken pieces.
Does anyone know how to actually remove the cloth top from the track/actuators?

I need to replace some broken track pieces and would be easier to get to if I could figure out how remove the top so I can see whats going on in the track areas.

Any DIY / manuals / info appreciated..

jamz

After some more investigation the California roof is not closing evenly...meaning that it moves along the track pretty smoothly but that it is uneven with the passenger's side moving faster than the drivers side and then when the driver's side cathes up it seals tight but the passenger's side reverses itself and the whole roof shifts to the passenger side about 1/2 an inch which leaves the passenger's side with some gaps as the folds don't flatten out to seal the roof!!! Please help...I have looked EVERY WHERE for advice!!! There are some broken plastic parts we found in the track that we attempted to identify with realoem.com but what we really need is advice on how to disassemble the roof so we can look at the mechanics of it!!! ANY IDEAS will be helpful!!! Thanks in advance

I cannot help directly but I know Chris at understeer.com disassembled his a few years back to install the slipstream air deflector (which btw if you have it all out you should redo the seal and consider this retro kit- makes a huge difference). Of course calling up a stranger for free advice is a little tacky- maybe you can support him by buying the parts through him or getting a nice mod for your car. :biggrin:

Thanks..
 

The BMW dealer quoted $4000 to replace the whole roof because they say that they cant get the parts for a $6000 car. I found the parts on realoem.com. I just don't have any info on the removal/installation. I might have to get in touch with understeer for tips.

Thanks..
jamz

dude, i have the TIS program for the removal/fitting of the roof.

let me scan it in and ill post it up for you ok?

its a lot of paper though, so it´ll take me a few days to do it, but dont worry because im planning the exact same job for mine, so ill do a "how to" in situ. ;)

Cool!
 

Hey man! That wud be awesome! You just made my day :_peace:

Very cool of u!

Thanx...

More likely they don't want to do it because it can be tricky or at least painstaking. Call around some more. The seal is cheap- I'd be surprised if they don't have some somewhere.

Between the two us us we could do a nice "Sticky" on cali top maintenance. I've got pics of how to seal the upper seal corners and clean the weep holes.

sweet :) ill get on it now.

all pages printed,

now scanning

all scanned

now i need a document hosting site wher i can upload? :?

Sorted ;)

http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.ph...e=ROOF_TIS.pdf

that ones crap , doesnt work ... :(


try this one

http://www.wikiupload.com/download_page.php?id=124321

Nice, thanks alot Mallard.

The wikiupload didn't work for me, or I couldn't figure it out, but the first link worked for me.

I need to fix rattling in my california roof. Anyone still have those docs (they no longer exist at those urls) or have a short answer for how to remove the roof?

Can you just lube those connectors to stop the rattling? The front-most passenger connection is the loud one.

Thanks