Roll bars pushing into new top

[Tyler]

Hello. I paid to have a new Gahh top installed on my 98 Z3 M Roadster. From outside the car, I noticed two bumps on either side above the rear window. I discovered that the top of the roll bars were in contact with the top, which was creating the bumps visible on the material outside the car.

My factory top was in such bad shape when I acquired the car, that I do not know if what I'm seeing is normal. I would have expected that the top would clear the roll bars without touching them.

I appreciate any information you can provide. Thanks.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Mine doesn't touch. Did you have your own frame recovered or was everything replaced ?

Welcome to the forum

 

[jonco]

Mine doesn't touch either but different manufacture year. When I retro fitted OEM roll hoops I was concerned at very tight clearance ~10mm but it has been OK.
I would be concerned at what will happen when you open the top - suggest you check that (very carefully).

 

[Synclare]

There isn't much clearance, as Jonco says about 10mm. Two scenarios, either hoops not fully seated/incorrectly fitted or hood frame bent / incorrectly mounted.

 

[Tyler]

Mine doesn't touch. Did you have your own frame recovered or was everything replaced ?

Welcome to the forum

Yes, everything is original - frame and roll bars. The upholstery shop is well regarded and does all kinds of expensive vehicles, but the shop is closed for the holidays. I wonder if maybe Gahh has a variant for the Z3 and another for the M Roadster. I don't think the 4 cylinder Z3 had roll bars.

 

[Grenville]

Yes, everything is original - frame and roll bars. The upholstery shop is well regarded and does all kinds of expensive vehicles, but the shop is closed for the holidays. I wonder if maybe Gahh has a variant for the Z3 and another for the M Roadster. I don't think the 4 cylinder Z3 had roll bars.

My 97 Z3 does not have roll bars.

 

[jonco]

......... I don't think the 4 cylinder Z3 had roll bars.

They didn't as standard - but all drillings etc were there for fitment from ~97(??). Pic is of 12/97 production i.e.`98 model.

 

[Mazza]

Mine is a 1998 4pot M44, which didn't have roll bars when I bought it, but have since ( thanks to @Synclare ) retro fitted them.

I have just been out to have a look and feeling across the roof just above the window panel, found that the roof was touching but didn't really show on the outside.

However on further inspection it would appear that it wasnt the roll bars but the perspex wind deflector that was touching the inside of the roof.

I had it fitted on the rear of the roll bars. So have now removed it, put the roof back up and found that roll bars don't actually touch the roof . There doesn’t appear to be a lot of space between them though only a couple of millimeters at most.

The roll bars are properly located so I am going to move the wind deflector to the front of the roll bars ( not forgetting to empty the top storage box first as wont be able to use it now) as I don't want the inside of the roof rubbing on the edge of the perspex in case it wears a hole in it.

All now done and feeling across the top of the window the roof is definitely not touching the roll bars.

Thanks to @Tyler for posting this thread as its highlighted a potential problem.

 

[Bampz]

When I had my 1998 1.9 it was fitted with roll bars could have been an optional extra , came with electric roof and aircon

 

[Tyler]

Thanks to @Tyler for posting this thread as its highlighted a potential problem.

You're welcome and thanks for the pictures.

 

[Tyler]

Welcome to the forum

Thanks. I didn't catch this welcome earlier. I'm glad I found this forum. So you're in Cornwall? I was able to travel Cornwall for a couple of days. Beautiful.

 

[Tyler]

I was able to take a closer look at my top today, and I think I paid for a pretty awful installation job. I'd appreciate any feedback.


The large bump is where the top of the roll-bar presses against the roof. The other oval shows sloppy, wrinkled material. This is on the left side. The right side is the same.



It's kind of hard to see from the inside, but the top of the roll-bar pushes up and back on the top.



This is what concerns me the most. I don't remember rivets in the frame before. These are actually drilled and riveted into the frame. Does anyone's top look like this?

Also, the wide strap at the top is very loose. Is this normal? The top is shut and latched in the photo.



Another shiny silver rivet I can't remember seeing before.



Another rivet into the frame. There are maybe 12-14 rivets that go through top material into the steel frame.

 

[t-tony]

Those rivets don't look as though they belong to me but in fairness it's while since I had a Z3.

Tony.

 

[Grumps]

Hi from Mansfield UK. My 98 2.8 didn't come with roll hoops but purchased some from a member here and fitted them myself. I've had no clearance issues and can't say I've ever seen or heard of it before. Hopefully the hoops will just need a swift thump to seat them properly and all will be well again..

 

[jonco]

.... Hopefully the hoops will just need a swift thump to seat them properly and all will be well again..

I can't remember properly but I don't think you can incorrectly seat the hoops as you screw the torx bolts through the support brackets and into the hoops. They are all pre-tapped so have to be aligned properly for bolts to go through - they are not surface or indent clamps.

Somebody will refresh my memory if I'm wrong (@Synclare)

 

[Grumps]

I can't remember properly but I don't think you can incorrectly seat the hoops as you screw the torx bolts through the support brackets and into the hoops. They are all pre-tapped so have to be aligned properly for bolts to go through - they are not surface or indent clamps.

Somebody will refresh my memory if I'm wrong (@Synclare)

Yep your quite right, I remember now you've said.

 

[Althulas]

Looks like a bad installation with the tension not applied correctly looking at those straps. I would take it back.

 

[t-tony]

My impression is the fault lies with the roof and/or fitment.

Tony.

 

[Tyler]

Looks like a bad installation with the tension not applied correctly looking at those straps. I would take it back.

Thanks, I think you're right.

Can you tell me, are there any rivets in your top as shown in my pictures? I'm thinking that the installer's use of rivets was a unique "solution" to some problem he encountered.

 

[Bampz]

Hi , I have a replacement top on my car which has no bumps or bumps and there is a 10mm clearance between top of hoops and the fabric of the roof , there are only two rivets on my frame one each side as in pic 5 no others . I would take it back as something is not right ,if electric hood they may have twisted it by operating incorrectly ( not raising front of roof before lowering roof) can you compare to another Z in your area ?.