opening manuel convertable roof

[mikec]

I have just bought a convertable e30 with a manuel roof,the previous owner showed me how to raise and lower the hood and I know it works.Problem is I cant get the hood to fold back enough to close the hood cover,I am missing the latches by approx 6 inches.any ideas

[Simon]

I've moved this from cars for sale to tech help!

[orangecurry]

sounds like the fabric hasn't folded properly

it should all concertina every errmm say 9 inches? or less?

Can't get you a picture right now, but if you can wait, I or someone else might be able to post a picture up tommorrow

whatever you do, be GENTLE!!!!!

[thebigone]

Yep have to say the same, have a cab, and it is a case of gently folding the it back onto itself and tucking it in, then ensure all the bit are away and close the cover and with firm pressure push down, it will sit about 2" above the car's body and you should hear a sloid click.

[Palazzo]

At the edges of the hood, there are two belt type bits (can't think of how else to describe them), tuck them in behind the metal work of the hood, gently fold back and tuck away, should be easy.

[mrLEE30]

you probably have the same problem as me, mine also does not fold flat properly, it may be due to incorrect tension on the belts i am not sure, my roof fabric is new but it still does not fold right down.

my technique is this:

to get terminology correct, with the roof closed look up. there is the cross member at the front which holds the catches, this i call the front cross member, there is a cross member about 30cm back which i call the 2nd cross member, and a second one another 30-40cm back which i call the third cross member. the roof or rear cover is the door over the area where the folded roof sits in.

1 open the front catches and open the front 1/4 of the roof.
2. lift the rear window up and open the rear cover.
3. i then fold the roof back and until i can rest the front cross member on top of the roof cover. i then actually prop the roof in a 3/4 open position with the catch bar resting on the half opened roof cover.
4. you will the second cross member,.. this is my key bit to the fold... i push this cross member back into the folds of the roof (i.e toward the rear of the car) so that the flap of fabric between the front cross member and the third cross member are folded inside the roof folds(you need to fold one side then walk round the car and complete the fold on the other side)
5. then the roof should be able to fold down fully and the roof cover should close WITHOUT touching the folded down roof. (i.e. the roof cover should not be required to push the folded roof into the cavity)

if this is unclear let me know and i will take pictures of each stage for you.

mrlee