Convertible Top - Material Curves Outward at C- Pillar
Group 54Special Tops
Bulletin Number
54 02 95 (4181)
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
August 1995
Product Engineering
SUBJECT:
Top Material Sticks Out in Area of "C" Pillar
MODELS:
E36 Convertible
Situation:
E36 Convertibles built prior to 11/94 may exhibit a problem where the plastic stiffener in the area of the forward edge of the C pillar bends or breaks, allowing the top material to curl outward. The stiffener design was modified to prevent this from occurring on tops produced after week 45/94.
In addition, a repair kit, part number 54 31 8 209 781, has been developed to repair any early tops that experience this problem. This repair kit eliminates the need to replace the soft top when the plastic stiffener breaks.
Correction:
In case of failure of the stiffener on one or both sides of a soft top, install the repair kit on both sides of the top. Instructions for performing this repair are included.
The soft top adhesive used in the repair can be either BMW part number 81 22 9 407 524, or 3M number 1357.
Warranty Status:
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Car Limited Warranty.
Defect Code: 54 31 02 37 00
Labor Operation: 00 51 066
Labor Allowance: 26 FRU
Parts Allowance: 5431 8 209 781 Qty=1 Repair Kit
^ Open the top about half way. Drill out the four pop rivets holding the quarter window seal retainer at the lower corner of the top, and remove the seal from the channel. Note: Do not separate the retainer from the seal.
^ Drill out the three pop rivets fastening the seal channel to the frame.
^ Pull the soft top off of the side rail of the frame. Separate the glued surfaces inside the pocket in the lower corner of the top.
^ Apply soft top adhesive to the frame and inside of the top where they will contact each other, and allow to dry for 10 minutes. Install the top on the frame, close the top to allow the cover to settle in the proper position on the frame, and clamp in place. Open the top about halfway again.
^ Slip the metal reinforcement bracket from the kit between the top fabric and the plastic as shown. The notches on the bracket correspond with the stitching of the fabric. (A = 10 mm)
^ Select the proper reinforcement strip from the kit and lay it up against the top so that the fabric side of the reinforcement strip lays up against the fabric of the top, and the holes in the plastic portion align with the rivet holes in the top. Mask off the top to prevent adhesive from getting on visible areas of the top. Apply soft top adhesive to the fabric side of the reinforcement strip and the top, and allow to dry for 10 minutes. Install the reinforcement strip and press firmly into place. Reinstall the seal channel with the short pop rivets from the kit. Reinstall the seal retainer with the two long rivets inside the seal and the two black rivets on the exposed portion of the retainer.
^ Leave the top open for at least 12 hours to allow the adhesive to cure properly.