54 34 205 Removing And Installing/Replacing All Hydraulic Lines On Soft 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.

Some hydraulic lines are difficult to reach when installed.

If necessary, remove required hydraulic cylinder:

Remove hydraulic cylinder for soft top. Refer to 54 34 016 Removing And Installing/Replacing Left Or Right Hydraulic Cylinder For Convertible Top .
Remove hydraulic cylinder for convertible top compartment lid. Refer to 54 34 006 Removing And Installing/Replacing Left Hydraulic Cylinder For Convertible Top Compartment Lid and/or 54 34 007 Removing And Installing/Replacing Right Hydraulic Cylinder For Convertible Top Compartment Lid .
Remove hydraulic cylinder for locking bar. Refer to 54 34 008 Removing And Installing/Replacing Hydraulic Cylinder For Left Clamping Bar and/or 54 34 009 Removing And Installing/Replacing Hydraulic Cylinder For Right Clamping Bar .

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove hydraulic control unit for convertible top drive from side compartment. Refer to 54 34 005 Removing And Installing/Replacing Hydraulic Control Unit For Convertible Top Drive .

CAUTION:

Hydraulic fluid may emerge from the disconnected lines and the open connections on the hydraulic cylinder.

Protect components and work area with suitable materials (e.g. cloths).

Make sure that dirt cannot get into the hydraulic circuit.

Follow repair instructions for hydraulic system. Refer to 54 34... Repair Instructions For Convertible Top Hydraulic System .

Do not fit hydraulic lines in kinked, crushed or transposed condition.

When working on hydraulic system, observe the following:

Hydraulic system must be at zero pressure.
Disconnect supply and return lines as late as possible, with soft top stowed and in untensioned state.
Shortly before removing lines screw tank on hydraulic control unit open and closed once.

Unclip hydraulic lines.

Installation:

If necessary, replace faulty clips.

Hydraulic lines must not be kinked or transposed.

Fig 1: Locating Hydraulic Lines Clips

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unclip hydraulic lines.

Installation:

If necessary, replace faulty clips.

Hydraulic lines must not be kinked or transposed.

Fig 2: Locating Hydraulic Lines Clips

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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.

Fig 3: Identifying Left Side Tensioning Bar Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Right 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.

Fig 4: Identifying Right Side Tensioning Bar Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Disconnecting hydraulic lines from hydraulic control unit:

Release screws (1) on retaining plate (2).

Detach hydraulic lines with retaining plate from hydraulic control unit.

IMPORTANT: Protect joints (lines and cylinder) against dripping fluid, e.g. with a cleaning cloth.
Observe hose markings.

Replacement only:

Remove retaining rings and feed hydraulic lines out of retaining plate.

Fig 5: Identifying Screws On Retaining Plate

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fitting retaining rings:

IMPORTANT: Connections must not be damaged in front insertion area (A).

Feed hydraulic lines into retaining plate.

Shrink on shrink-fit hose (1).

Push on retaining ring (2) up to rear groove.

Fig 6: Pushing Retaining Ring Up To Rear Groove

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove shrink-fit hose.

Push on sealing ring.

Fig 7: Identifying Shrink-Fit Hose & Sealing Ring

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Disconnecting hydraulic lines from cylinders:

Detach cable tie.

Open retainer (1) at bottom/top on cylinder with screwdriver.

Detach hydraulic lines (2).

IMPORTANT:

Protect joints (lines and cylinder) against dripping fluid, e.g. with a cleaning cloth.

Observe hose markings.

Fig 8: Detaching Hydraulic Lines

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Hydraulic lines and connections are marked with numbers to prevent mix-ups.

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

Fully open and close soft top a minimum of 10 times in order to bleed the hydraulic system.