California roof question

[95gizmo]

I'm fairly experienced with BMWs and Ti s but this is my first "adventure" with a cali top. It is slightly out of line. The passenger side is closed but the drivers side is about 3/8 of an inch open. The PO left the motor in the trunk and said that the shear pin was broken. I opened the motor and fabricated a square pin and the motor seems to be working. My question is how does it mount to the roof assembly? I see the black steel channel, I see the hole, I look inside and see some gearlike thing but where the screws would mount the motor there are just 2 holes. Is there supposed to be some steel or aluminum block with tapped holes? I cant tell from realOEM. Could it slid off to the side in the channel?
HELP!!!

And thanks.

[pnosker]

There's a shim that goes between the motor and the assembly. There are two screws that hold the motor to the assembly. Post a pic of the motor, maybe it's for a regular sunroof.

[1996 328ti]

Also
http://www.318ti.org/files/showentry.php?e=8&catid=1

[95gizmo]

It is the right motor. Nice to know about the shim do you know how thick it is? My problem is nothing to screw the screws into. The thru holes in the steel frame are the same size as the holes in the motor so self tapping screws won't work. Also there is no way to hold a nut as the motor covers the only large hole in the frame and I don't see any access point.


I already checked those pdf files of the BMW tis. They don't show what I'm puzzled by. By the way has anyone heard from Mallard?

[pnosker]

I think it's about 2mm thick. The screws go into a floating piece, I think made of brass or something, inside the rail. The piece has two threaded sections. It's tricky getting it to not slide while you're trying to screw it in. Look carefully with a light, you should see the floating anchor in there. It's a silly design.

Also, a drive gear in my motor is shot. Is that what you fixed? If so, want to fix mine ?

[95gizmo]

Thanks Pat I'll fish around in there, the PO must have left the motor off and the block slid to one side or the other. What were those engineers thinkin?