manual hood wont close - dah

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Ci
Joined: Fri 28 Nov, 2003 17:08
Posts: 226

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: East Dorset

manual hood wont close - dah

Post by Ci »

My friends Z3 1998 roof won't close. He says it has shrunk due to him leaving it down most of the time. Any suggestions? Other than buying a second hand hood, from where? He lives nr Dorchester, Dorset.
mrscalex
Joined: Fri 13 Mar, 2015 09:14
Posts: 910

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: manual hood wont close - dah

Post by mrscalex »

Ci wrote:My friends Z3 1998 roof won't close. He says it has shrunk due to him leaving it down most of the time. Any suggestions? Other than buying a second hand hood, from where? He lives nr Dorchester, Dorset.
I'm not sure about that. It's only fabric stretched over a rigid frame so the frame would need to shrink too!

It's meant to be a very tight action to close it properly. So it might just be it's slacked off slightly such that it won't catch now. I believe it's adjustable but personally I'd leave it in the hands of a soft top specialist. Others may be able to advise otherwise.
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motco
Joined: Tue 18 Aug, 2009 18:12
Posts: 728

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: manual hood wont close - dah

Post by motco »

Mine is down all winter usually as I have a hard top. It's difficult to close on first use but never impossible. A friend to press down on the front rail while the catches are operated should do it.
bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: manual hood wont close - dah

Post by bertiejaffa »

I've never experienced this issue and I also have it folded up under the hard top... In fact my old Z3 had the hardtop on for 18 months and the soft top still closed with no issues. If you are concerned then maybe a little help from the hairdrier might help but essentially it should be the same as it was when it was opened.
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Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
Posts: 2136

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: manual hood wont close - dah

Post by Del »

Never experienced this or seen it mentioned on the forum before. If it’s the original 1998 hood, any shrinking would have happened years ago – although I’m not aware that they can shrink. When I had a new hood fitted a year ago, the fitter said that the hoods do not shrink or stretch, the only thing that can stretch a little is the rear, plastic window. I wonder whether it’s either one of two possibilities 1) The rear screen is folded across the middle and is resisting being stretched flat – in this case it will soften in direct sunlight which would help this issue or 2) there is a little hydraulic strut on the passenger side (UK) which is supposed to stop the roof falling back too quickly when lowered. Over time these struts can break, come apart and foul on the folding mechanism – this happened on mine and was causing unnatural resistance and blocking movement, when trying to lower the roof. I eventually noticed what was causing the problem and removed the strut altogether.
Bonzo
Joined: Wed 21 Mar, 2012 21:52
Posts: 866

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Norfolk

Re: manual hood wont close - dah

Post by Bonzo »

My hard top seems tighter than usual after being down for a while. I just clip it over but just close the latches halfway and leave it for a while to stretch it, then close it fully. No probs.
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Z3lda (Zelda), 1998 2.8, Montreal Blue, Beige Oregon leather interior and M steering wheel, Sports Seats, Wood trim, Chrome Line Interior, Centre armrest with Cupholder, Alpina Softline wheels, Chromed Angel Eyes, De- tango'd, Rear stone guards, Sport aerial, ASC front strut brace, Strong Strut Butt Strut and Body Brace, Uprated brake fluid, Yellowstuff pads 78k.
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