54 34 101 Removing And Installing Complete EH Convertible Top

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 9 other vehicles, including the 2013 BMW 128i, 2012 BMW 128i, 2011 BMW 128i, 2010 BMW 135i, and 2010 BMW 128i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove side trim panel at rear left and right. 51 43 002 REMOVING AND INSTALLING (REPLACING) REAR LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE TRIM PANEL .
Remove luggage compartment trim panels . 51 47 161 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING RIGHT LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT WHEEL ARCH TRIM .
Remove convertible top compartment . Refer to 54 34 018 Removing And Installing/Replacing Convertible Top Compartment .
Prepare lifting gear . Refer to 54 34... Special Tool: Lifting Gear E88 .

Unlock plug connections (1) and disconnect.

Disengage rubber tensioner (2).

Remove hydraulic control unit from side box.

Fig 1: Identifying Plug Connections & Rubber Tensioner

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Unclip hydraulic lines.

Installation:

If necessary, replace faulty clips.

Hydraulic lines must not be kinked or transposed.

Fig 2: Locating Hydraulic Lines Clips

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Unclip hydraulic lines.

Installation:

If necessary, replace faulty clips.

Hydraulic lines must not be kinked or transposed.

Fig 3: Locating Hydraulic Lines Clips

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Left side of car:

Unclip hydraulic lines.

Installation:

If necessary, replace faulty clips.

Hydraulic lines must not be kinked or transposed.

Release screws (1).

Tightening torque: see 54 34 10AZ in 54 34 MOTOR-DRIVEN CONVERTIBLE TOP (ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS) .

Remove support (2) for tensioning bar.

Right side of car:

Unclip hydraulic lines.

Fig 4: Identifying Right Side Tensioning Bar Screws

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Installation:

If necessary, replace faulty clips.

Hydraulic lines must not be kinked or transposed.

Release screws (1).

Tightening torque: see 54 34 10AZ in 54 34 MOTOR-DRIVEN CONVERTIBLE TOP (ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS) .

Remove support (2) for tensioning bar.

Fig 5: Identifying Right Side Tensioning Bar Screws

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Unlock plug connections (1) and disconnect.

Disconnect cable ties and feed wiring harness out of body.

Installation:

Replace faulty cable ties.

Fig 6: Identifying Plug Connections

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Release left and right screws (1).

Tightening torque: see 54 34 04AZ in 54 34 MOTOR-DRIVEN CONVERTIBLE TOP (ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS) .

Fig 7: Identifying Left & Right Screws

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Removing/installing ball sockets:

Push on retainer in direction of groove with screwdriver
Lift off ball socket from ball pin
Slide retainer back
Fit ball socket on ball stud and snap into place with force

NOTE:

New hydraulic cylinders are supplied in retracted state.

Check fluid level and top up if necessary. Refer to 54 34... Topping Up/Extracting Fluid, Checking Fluid Level .

Fig 8: Pushing On Retainer In Direction Of Groove With Screwdriver

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IMPORTANT:

Never lift off ball socket with engaged retainer.

Replaced overelongated retainers.

Before installation, grease ball socket if necessary.

Installation:

Pack grease into two opposite positions in socket.

The grease spreads after installation on the ball pin all round in the ball socket.

Support convertible top compartment lid with suitable apparatus.

Removing hydraulic cylinders on left and right:

Push on locking clamps (1)
Detach ball sockets at sides
Feed out hydraulic cylinder

Fig 9: Pushing Locking Clamps
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Observe rules and instructions for lifting gear in conjunction with workshop crane. Refer to 54 34... Operating Instructions For Universal Lifting Gear and/or 54 34... Special Tool: Lifting Gear E88 .

Fig 10: Identifying Lifting Gear In Conjunction With Workshop Crane

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Position lifting gear over convertible top.

Suspend hook in main bearing.

Fit shaped piece on main bearing.

Carefully tension lifting gear and check again that shaped piece and hook are correctly seated in main bearing.

Fig 11: Positioning Lifting Gear Over Convertible Top

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NOTE: Carry out this part of the work with the assistance of two other persons.

Raise convertible top slightly and pull main bearing off retaining plate towards rear.
Raise convertible top evenly.
Carefully swing convertible top out of body.

NOTE: If necessary, set convertible top down on convertible top rest for subsequent work. Refer to 54 34... Special Tool: Convertible Top Rest E88 .

Installation:

Carry out function check . Refer to 54 34 001 Checking Function Of EH Convertible Top .