Hard top leaking

KaiJepson

Newbie
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 27, 2023
Points
4
Location
Surrey
Model of Z
1.9 Roadster
I have a hard top on my z3, I have noticed that water has started to come in from a small gap where it joins with the A pillar but only on the driver side. I have adjusted the hardtop bracket but not made much of a difference and wanted to see if anyone knew of a solution until I go and put some sealant in that hole. Pictures attached of the gap :)
 

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Zephyr

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
Joined
Aug 10, 2022
Points
136
Seems it is not installed correctly. Did you tighten front to back when putting it on?
I know I am pointing out the obvious, but just in case…
You release the back fully, attach the front to evenly face the A pillar and then tighten to 80/100 (snug) adjust the rear and secure and then complete the front to 100/100 tight.
 

Duncodin

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Points
139
Location
Krähental
Model of Z
M44 FrankenZed
Look along the top of the windscreen. The roof really should fit nice and snug all along the top of the windscreen.

Make sure that the vertical edge of the roof at the B pillar lines up exactly with the leading edge of the rear wing at the B pillar.

If the whole top edge of the roof is snug and the B pillar lines up then I wouldn't move the roof. I'd pop out the rubber seal that goes along the side of the roof. Pop it back in starting at the front making sure it's up tight against the that top corner of the A pillar first then work backwards from there. For some reason most people start clipping that seal in from the back. There's guide holes in the underside of the rubber but it's still possible to have the seal a couple mm too far back and it won't meet the A pillar.

But if you do adjust then, as @Zephyr said, get the front lined up first.
 

KaiJepson

Newbie
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 27, 2023
Points
4
Location
Surrey
Model of Z
1.9 Roadster
Seems it is not installed correctly. Did you tighten front to back when putting it on?
I know I am pointing out the obvious, but just in case…
You release the back fully, attach the front to evenly face the A pillar and then tighten to 80/100 (snug) adjust the rear and secure and then complete the front to 100/100 tight.
I have taken it on and off a few times to try and adjust it but found front to back gave the smallest gap but I still had a small one, it might be worn from use but I'm not sure. It is meant to rain for the next few days so will see if I can position it differently when it calms down, Thank you
 

KaiJepson

Newbie
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 27, 2023
Points
4
Location
Surrey
Model of Z
1.9 Roadster
Look along the top of the windscreen. The roof really should fit nice and snug all along the top of the windscreen.

Make sure that the vertical edge of the roof at the B pillar lines up exactly with the leading edge of the rear wing at the B pillar.

If the whole top edge of the roof is snug and the B pillar lines up then I wouldn't move the roof. I'd pop out the rubber seal that goes along the side of the roof. Pop it back in starting at the front making sure it's up tight against the that top corner of the A pillar first then work backwards from there. For some reason most people start clipping that seal in from the back. There's guide holes in the underside of the rubber but it's still possible to have the seal a couple mm too far back and it won't meet the A pillar.

But if you do adjust then, as @Zephyr said, get the front lined up first.
Thank you, so check if the front lines up above the windscreen and if that's fine take the seal above the driver window off and resit it starting from where the A pillar is?
 

Duncodin

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Points
139
Location
Krähental
Model of Z
M44 FrankenZed
Thank you, so check if the front lines up above the windscreen and if that's fine take the seal above the driver window off and resit it starting from where the A pillar is?
Personally I'd start here. Make sure the roof and the B pillar line up. Like this

Screenshot 2023-01-24 at 14.19.08.jpg


That vertical line of the roof should line up exactly with the B pillar. If it lines up nice then I wouldn't adjust the roof. If it doesn't line up then that's your problem.

The rubber strip that goes along the side of the roof. I had mine out (while chopping my roof up) and they're a bit of a pig to get back in right so if somebody had it out already it could be back in slightly wrong.

If I was sure the roof was adjusted correctly then I'd be looking at that rubber seal. I'd maybe rub along the rubber as if trying to slide it forward. you might be able to work it forward a few mm to close that gap.

But. On a wet windy day like today if the car was stuck outside I'd loosen the roof get a finger/dollop of vaseline and plop it on the top of the A pillar and screw it back down.
 
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