Hardtop Alignment

[Rui Almeida]

Hi all

I bought my hardtop last year and used it over the winter although I had more leaks than with the soft top (where the windows touch the seal) and later on the year a bunch of weird noises. I do love the practicality of the HT and just want to get the alignment mint so I can actually enjoy more of the HT.

Anyone (expert on the subject) around South West of England that I could me to help me to finally have this done properly?
(Had all the necessary theoretical explanations just need someone that knows what he is doing and help me with this )

Thank you so much in advance.
Rui

 

[BMBabe]

Hi ya I am over in Aylesbury @Mnbrennan puts on my hard top
It does take some effort to get it right
I am hoping to put mine back on shortly as I like the look

 

[Rui Almeida]

Hi ya I am over in Aylesbury @Mnbrennan puts on my hard top
It does take some effort to get it right
I am hoping to put mine back on shortly as I like the look

Bit of a drive from Salisbury but if I can't get anyone closer to me it might be an option. How did you find it? No leaks around the windows area? No knocking noises from the attachment points on the back?

I do love the look of mine with the HT just wish I could have this done right so I can put it on and off whenever I want.

 

[Rudyrov]

It does take a few tries to get it set up, follow the attached Top Fitting manual and you should be able to get it right.
Take your time and be patient.

 

[Rui Almeida]

It does take a few tries to get it set up, follow the attached Top Fitting manual and you should be able to get it right.
Take your time and be patient.

Appreciate that Rudyrov

I have got that and every single manual explaining how to do it...spent weeks last year trying to get it right measuring mm here mm there and nothing. Knocking noises all over the place.

Got the original manuals and PDF explanations from every forum online still couldn't do it.

Thanks
Rui

 

[Jack Ratt]

If it's knocking it suggests to me that it's not locked down securely. Have you still got the small rubber pieces on the underside of the rear of your hard top? If these are missing it could cause some of the knocking

 

[Rui Almeida]

If it's knocking it suggests to me that it's not locked down securely. Have you still got the small rubber pieces on the underside of the rear of your hard top? If these are missing it could cause some of the knocking

Hi Jack

As far as I can remember (took the HT in February) the noise was coming from the secure points on the inside either that or rubber on the front bottom edges squeaking against the chassis seal on the middle of the car.

In regards to the rear rubber pieces they are there and "knocking" might not be the perfect way of describing it. Inspected the whole body work and there's no marks or anything as I have seen some people having for having the rear end to close to the body of the car.

Thanks
Rui

 

[hard top]

You will find occasionally that you have to re-tighten the front bolts during use.

 

[Rui Almeida]

You will find occasionally that you have to re-tighten the front bolts during use.

Hi HT
I remember you gave me some good tips last year unfortunately the noise comes from the back of the HT. I done exactly as told by manuals I loosen up all bolts and nuts align the HT by the car's body panels, done my best with the front seal alignment as well and end up squeezing the front water window seal and let water in.

Honestly just need someone that successful done this before bore and Knows what to look for. I go around align seal and panels and tight up everything. Even adjusted one of the windows and still leaked.
Should I go on a trip to Holland for some help? ahaha

Thanks mate

 

[hard top]

Should I go on a trip to Holland for some help? ahaha

Save you the trip mate, have word with @David, he is down in Brighton and has done two hardtops in the past, BMW OEM and my Wiesmann.

 

[David]

Save you the trip mate, have word with @David, he is down in Brighton and has done two hardtops in the past, BMW OEM and my Wiesmann.

I did wonder how long it'd take you to tag me!

I'm afraid I've never managed to get any of them squeak/knock free... even my current Z4 HT and that has minimal adjustment.

 

[hard top]

I'm afraid I've never managed to get any of them squeak/knock free...

To be honest David, people never will, as it is just a large and complicated bolt on extra.

 

[buze]

Just would like to say that my 2013 X3 has a 'squeeky moon roof' and it's been to the garage 3 times, and they fixed it 3 times (not). I think SOME metal/rubber assembly are just like that!

There is also perhaps a case of not all cars being the same, and not all roofs being the same -- could your roof had had a bit of a twist put into it by having it on a car without proper alignment for too long?

 

[DavidM]

Briefly - using the BMW Hardtop Fitting Guidelines:

1. Line up the hardtop overhang at each side just behind the side windows - horizontal measurement - both sides equal.
2. Ensure the front of hardtop is equal left to right and level and adjust accordingly - you may need to adjust the 3-bolts adjustments at front of hardtop.
2. Measure 6.4 mm from bodywork to hardtop base - that is the vertical distance below back window - both sides equal.
3. Ensure two rubber mounts are on the inside of the hardtop.
5. Lubricate all rubbers on car and hardtop with Gummie Fledge and both rubbers attached to hardtop.
6. Set hardtop on car and tighten slightly both front bolts - then lock the rear levers.
7. Tighten up front hardtop bolts evenly a few turns at a time both sides - knocking and wind noise will occur if the front bolts are not fully tightened - ensure you use OEM bolts - M12 I think - but check.
8. Test - and adjust - this may take a few takes with patience.

Good luck!

 

[Rui Almeida]

I did wonder how long it'd take you to tag me!

I'm afraid I've never managed to get any of them squeak/knock free... even my current Z4 HT and that has minimal adjustment.

I would be happy with leaking free my friend
Will get in touch if I manage to take my car around to Brighton. Thank you

 

[Rui Almeida]

Briefly - using the BMW Hardtop Fitting Guidelines:

1. Line up the hardtop overhang at each side just behind the side windows - horizontal measurement - both sides equal.
2. Ensure the front of hardtop is equal left to right and level and adjust accordingly - you may need to adjust the 3-bolts adjustments at front of hardtop.
2. Measure 6.4 mm from bodywork to hardtop base - that is the vertical distance below back window - both sides equal.
3. Ensure two rubber mounts are on the inside of the hardtop.
5. Lubricate all rubbers on car and hardtop with Gummie Fledge and both rubbers attached to hardtop.
6. Set hardtop on car and tighten slightly both front bolts - then lock the rear levers.
7. Tighten up front hardtop bolts evenly a few turns at a time both sides - knocking and wind noise will occur if the front bolts are not fully tightened - ensure you use OEM bolts - M12 I think - but check.
8. Test - and adjust - this may take a few takes with patience.

Good luck!

It seems that everyone gives the same explanations that I have been following for over a year. Done all that over and over again I am afraid I don't always have a second person or a dried placed to spend hours and hours fiddling with the adjustments.
Thanks anyway @DavidM

 

[runnr548]

Awake old thread..I too am searching for a noise and leak free hardtop adjustment spell. Lots of try and adjust I see. Thanks!

 

[Rodders67]

“3. Ensure two rubber mounts are on the inside of the hardtop.”

Anyone have picture or video to share of the above?

is it this p/n 54218163055 ?

 

[muzza289]

Rather than start a new thread, I thought I’d tag on the end of this one

fitting my recently acquired hardtop for the first time (no fitting kit came with it, but I managed to acquire one) and the holes into the front metal baseplates are much bigger than the standard M8x18 torx bolts as you can see from the pictures of what should fit.
I’ve ended up having to use the much larger one shown in the picture which I think are M10 or 12

they are not a great fit and stick out through the bottom hole of the plastic where the bolt hole is. A bit reluctant to screw them in too tight as they are just chewing through the plastic round the top of window frame as the head is too large to fully go into the hole.

Just wondered if BMW made two different size fixing plates for the front of the hardtop?

realoem shoes the baseplate part number as 8407259
but as you can see from the pic my baseplate number is 847260

anyone else had this problem, and know which bolts I should purchase?

 

[muzza289]

Right, I can’t edit the above post, but it’s obvious to me now that **59 and *60 the ending two numbers, are left and right baseplate!
so it’s not a part number Issue. I appear to have genuine BMW baseplates just the holes are much bigger ?