Hardtop Installation

[Rui Almeida]

The gauges are very rare i cannot recall anyone having mentioned even having a set !

Fair enough one less thing to worry me then. What is suppose to be the gap on the back between hardtop and body then if I am not using those two parts?

Thanks

 

[DavidM]

I recall from the BMW fitting instructions that the mounting gauge is 6.2mm thick and a further 0.2 mm (6.4 mm in total) is set with a feeler gauge between top of mounting gauge and hardtop in the locked position. These are the guidelines I used. I would recommend you double check these measurements.

 

[Rui Almeida]

I recall from the BMW fitting instructions that the mounting gauge is 6.2mm thick and a further 0.2 mm (6.4 mm in total) is set with a feeler gauge between top of mounting gauge and hardtop in the locked position. These are the guidelines I used. I would recommend you double check these measurements.

I didn't see any info on how thick the mounting gauge is on the fitting instructions mate but will keep those values as reference.

Thanks

 

[Jack Ratt]

I never used any sort of gauge when I fit my hard top. Mine has 4 off, 6mm thick pieces of rubber on the underside of the rear edge.
When I close the rear locking pins it pulls it down firmly. After the first time I set it up I haven't had to adjust any of the fittings.

 

[Rui Almeida]

I never used any sort of gauge when I fit my hard top. Mine has 4 off, 6mm thick pieces of rubber on the underside of the rear edge.
When I close the rear locking pins it pulls it down firmly. After the first time I set it up I haven't had to adjust any of the fittings.

Are you sure you have an OEM hardtop? There's noting on the edge of the rear of and OEM hardtop like you mentioned apart from a long rubber seal along the whole edge but there's no adjustment at all is just a seal.
Regards

 

[Jack Ratt]

Are you sure you have an OEM hardtop? There's noting on the edge of the rear of and OEM hardtop like you mentioned apart from a long rubber seal along the whole edge but there's no adjustment at all is just a seal.
Regards

Yes, my hard top is a BMW OEM. Mine has 4 bits of rubber, each about 6mm thick on the rear edge. They are there to prevent paint to paint contact. There is no adjustment on the seal.
I posted to say that you do not need to use a gauge to fit a hard top.

 

[Rui Almeida]

Yes, my hard top is a BMW OEM. Mine has 4 bits of rubber, each about 6mm thick on the rear edge. They are there to prevent paint to paint contact. There is no adjustment on the seal.
I posted to say that you do not need to use a gauge to fit a hard top.

I understand what you said Jack but I never heard about this rubber bits and yes in theory you do need the feeler gauge as is listed on the instructions and either with or without a gauge you need to make sure the back is even. Either measuring the gap or measuring the high n the pins to raise or bring down the hardtop. Will be checking mine for rubber bits like yours any way. Thanks for the feedback

 

[Rui Almeida]

Right guys today was another morning spent in adjusting this and that. I may raise a bit of the rear of the hardtop later but is not touching the body on bumpy roads. There's a bit of rattling from plastic and rubber I imagine but is done for today. Window wise I finally found how to drop the back of the window and it does made it better there's just a tiny gap on the rubber seal on the hardtop where we have been holding it while putting on an off.
There any way to expand the rubber seals? I am treating them with Vinyl and Rubber care from Auto Glym at the moment but I am pretty sure isn't water tight on that window though.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Rui Almeida]

Yes, my hard top is a BMW OEM. Mine has 4 bits of rubber, each about 6mm thick on the rear edge. They are there to prevent paint to paint contact. There is no adjustment on the seal.
I posted to say that you do not need to use a gauge to fit a hard top.

I found the rubbers you mentioned I just belive they are indeed there to make the roof not touch the body but if not align properly you can defy compress those rubbers without knowing you are doing it and then you get the HT touching the body. But I got you now
Thanks for the input.

 

[Daz3]

Right guys today was another morning spent in adjusting this and that. I may raise a bit of the rear of the hardtop later but is not touching the body on bumpy roads. There's a bit of rattling from plastic and rubber I imagine but is done for today. Window wise I finally found how to drop the back of the window and it does made it better there's just a tiny gap on the rubber seal on the hardtop where we have been holding it while putting on an off.
There any way to expand the rubber seals? I am treating them with Vinyl and Rubber care from Auto Glym at the moment but I am pretty sure isn't water tight on that window though.

Thanks for all the help.

Try some of this it works great on rubber seals

 

[Rui Almeida]

View attachment 47753

Try some of this it works great on rubber seals

I have seen some great reviews but for caring I am happy with the auto gym one. Will that actually "bring" the rubber out?
I will try to adjust the window half millimetre or something but will benefit if the rubber could expand a bit.

Thanks