54 31 120 Replacing soft top fabric

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Partially open soft top until the working area is accessible.
Remove TRIM STRIP FROM LEFT AND RIGHT REAR SIDE PANELS .
Remove FRONT BOW COVER .

WARNING: For all repair work, secure soft top with a suitable support tool against collapsing.
Ensure soft top is supported in the middle.

Release screws from soft top cover at front bow.

Tightening torque 54 34 3AZ .

Fig 1: Locating Screws For Soft Top Cover

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Release screw (1) from tensioning strap (2) on left and right.

Tightening torque 54 34 4AZ .

Release screw (3) from tensioning strap (4) on left and right.

Tightening torque 54 34 4AZ .

Fig 2: Identifying Tensioning Straps And Screws

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Bend up tabs (1).

Detach tab on soft top bow (2) from bent up tabs (1).

Fig 3: Identifying Tabs

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Detach soft top cover (1) from cowl panel bow and place towards rear.

Fig 4: Detaching Soft Top Cover From Cowl Panel Bow

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Detach tension cable (1) from cowl panel bow (2) on left and right.

Installation note:

Make sure tension cable (1) is correctly fitted in cowl panel bow (2).

Fig 5: Identifying Tension Cable And Cowl Panel Bow

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Release screws (1) from tensioning strap (2) on cowl panel bow (3) on left and right.

Installation note:

Renew screws or coat with Loctite.

Tightening torque 54 34 5AZ .

Pull out plate insert (4) from tensioning strap tab (2).

Fig 6: Releasing Screws From Tensioning Strap On Cowl Panel Bow

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Feed out tensioning strap (2) from cowl panel bow (3).

Release screws (1) from tensioning strap (2) on soft top frame (3).

Tightening torque 54 34 6AZ .

Installation note:

Make sure position of tensioning strap (2) is correct.

Fig 7: Releasing Screws From Tensioning Strap On Soft Top Frame

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Release screws from bow covers on bow.

Tightening torque 54 34 7AZ .

Remove bow covers (1).

Detach soft top cover from bow.

Installation note:

Remove adhesive residue from bow.

Bond soft top cover under tension on bow only with closed soft top.

Fig 8: Identifying Bow Covers

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Pull off the rear seal (1) for the roof frame from seal supports (2), left and right.

Fig 9: Identifying Rear Seal And Seal Supports

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Installation note:

Coat the seal with G14 lubricant to facilitate installation (sourcing reference: BMW Group Parts).

Make sure rear roof frame gasket (1) is correctly fitted on gasket support (2).

Fig 10: Identifying Rear Roof Frame Gasket

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Disconnect rivet connections (1) on left and right.

IMPORTANT: Remove rivet residue from roof frame (2).

Clean vehicle. Completely remove rivet residue.

Fig 11: Identifying Rivet Connections And Roof Frame

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Feed out tension cable (1) from soft top cover (2) on left and right.

Installation note:

Feed in tension cable (1) into soft top cover with a suitable tool (e.g. welding wire).

Fig 12: Identifying Tension Cable And Soft Top Cover

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Feed out tension cable (1) from soft top frame (2) on left and right.

Detach tension cable spring (3) from soft top frame on left and right.

Installation note:

Install new tension cable from spare parts kit.

Make sure tension cable (1) is correctly fitted on soft top frame (2).

Fig 13: Feeding Out Tension Cable From Soft Top Frame

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Release screws (1) from tensioning strap (2) on bow on left and right.

Tightening torque 54 34 8AZ .

Detach tensioning strap (2) from bow and set down towards rear.

Fig 14: Identifying Screws And Tensioning Strap

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Disconnect plug connection (1) on left and right for heated rear window.

Feed out cable (2) towards bottom through tensioning strap (3) on left and right.

Fig 15: Feeding Out Cable Towards Bottom Through Tensioning Strap

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Detach water pouch (1) from body.

Installation note:

When mounting, pay attention to center markings (2) on water pouch (1) and body.

Fig 16: Detaching Water Pouch From Body

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Close soft top.

Release screws (1).

Tightening torque 54 34 9AZ .

Fig 17: Identifying Screws

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Detach soft-top bow (2) from left and right clamps (3).

Installation note:

First mount screws and then insert soft-top bow into clamps.

Fig 18: Removing Soft-Top Bow From Retaining Clips

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IMPORTANT: Cover body (2) to avoid damage.

Feed out soft top cover with soft-top bow (1) from body.

Slide soft top cover in direction of arrow (a) and then feed out of body toward the top in direction of arrow (b).

Completely remove soft top cover (1) from soft top frame.

Fig 19: Sliding Soft Top Cover

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Installation note:

Make sure the water pouch (1) is correctly positioned in the collection box (2).

Fig 20: Identifying Water Pouch And Collection Box

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Detach water pouch (1) from soft-top bow (2).

Installation note:

Pay attention to center markings (3) of water pouch (1) to soft-top bow (2).

Fig 21: Detaching Water Pouch From Soft-Top Bow

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Detach soft top cover (1) from soft-top bow (2).

Installation note:

Remove all clamps from the bow channel (2).

Mount new clamps on soft top cover (1).

Fig 22: Detaching Soft Top Cover From Soft-Top Bow

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Check basic setting of bow at rear.

For non-center position: Release the screws (3) and center the bow (1) on the linkage (2).

Tightening torque 54 34 10AZ .

Fig 23: Releasing Screws, Bow, And Linkage

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IMPORTANT: A soft top tension that is too high not only increases the closing forces, it also give the soft top the characteristic of being a "drum". The wind forces encountered when driving as well as impacting rain drops then really "drum" on the soft top cover and significantly impair the internal acoustics. A soft top cover with a tension too low "sags" and tends to "beat" at high speeds.

The dimensions and tolerances of the soft top linkage and the soft top cover have been designed so that it is not necessary to correct the tension. A new soft top cover always has a somewhat "tight" fit initially after installation. After the vehicle remains stationary with a closed soft top for some time, the soft top cover "settles" so that the closing forces are again normal.

Customers are to be informed of the temporarily increased closing forces when the vehicle is handed over!