Cabriolet roof swap (entire frame)

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Boomy
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Sun Sep 16, 2012 9:58 pm

Thought I would put this here for newbies to the E30 scene (like me) who wish to swap a complete cabriolet roof.Obviously changing over just the material to your original frame is a lot more in depth, but a frame swap isn't so bad.This was my experience earlier today and I can update later when the other roof goes back on as I ran out of daylight.

(mods can delete if it's been done to death, or can correct any mistakes if they want it to stay!)

First, remove lower rear seat part to make more room.This just pulls up and out.You can get away with not doing this, but it takes a matter of seconds.

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Next, remove the rear speaker covers.You will need to slide out the roof handle surround (blue arrow) and then just use a small screwdriver to pop out the covers.

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Here are the covers removed

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Next (ignoring the bodged up speakers someone else fitted!) remove the two arrowed philips screws on both the rear panels.

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Then remove the rubber door seals both sides by just pulling them away.These also cover the rear panels we need to remove next.

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Grab hold of the side panels and lift them upwards and possibly at an angle.They should, with medium force, slide up and out.Make sure you don't rip out any speaker cables etc.Mine were quite long so I didn't need to unplug anything!

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Next, remove the 13mm bolt arrowed and count and keep the shims.Do this on both sides and remember which number of shims went on which side.Keep hold of the shims as you remove the bolt, otherwise you will be trying to collect them all as they drop!

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A close up of the shims (along with 20 odd years of dirt)

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The shims and bolt removed.I screwed these back together to keep them safe and marked them drivers or passenger side just to be sure.

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Next up, we need to remove the two 13mm bolts deeper down inside the roof cavity.These can also have shims, so again, make a note of how many or if they are stuck in place quite well, just leave them where they are.

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Another angle showing the bolts and a blue arrow showing the bolt you removed a few moments ago with the other shims.Remove the four 13mm bolts (2 each side of the car)

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As the bolts are quite deep set, I found this angle the best to keep the roof at so my socket and extension would reach them more easily.You may find the frame structure is in the way otherwise.None of this was helped by the fact my rear roof cover won't stay up on its own lol.

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Once the bolts are removed, unclip the two cables shown on the passenger side and with help if you can, simply lift the roof out.The blue arrows show the two bolts you just removed and the possible remaining shims.

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Roof removed..

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Last edited by Boomy on Sun Sep 16, 2012 10:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Topblag
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Sun Sep 16, 2012 10:19 pm

excellent write up, deserves to be wiki'd.

I've only done this once myself and it was quite straight forward. Long extension wobble bar helped and a flexible head ratchet spanner came in handy.

It's a heavy bugger though, defo a 2 man job to avoid collateral damage.

16 posts in and you're contributing to this extent. 10/10.

:cool:
1990 325i Cab auto in Alpine White II
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
Grrrmachine
E30 Zone Wiki / Team Member
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Sun Sep 16, 2012 10:21 pm

That is epic, and definitely wiki-worthy. I'll transfer it across in due course :D
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Gavla
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Sun Sep 16, 2012 11:27 pm

Fantastic post, cheers mate. I hope you post any other work you do on your car.
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Brianmoooore
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Sun Sep 16, 2012 11:54 pm

On both of my ragtops, the procedure is as above, but slightly different instructions for the removal of the soft top are actually included in the owner's handbook that came with E30s.
The instructions in the handbook make no mention of removing any trim though - they just say remove the bolts and note the number of spacer washers under each. It reads as if the nuts are captive, and also mentions the use of a 13mm allen key. Early ragtops only?
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