Body - Retractable Hard Top Front Latch Rattling Noise

SI B54 12 07
Special Roofs

September 2007
Technical Service

SUBJECT
Rattle from the Front Latch of the RHT

MODEL
E93 (3 Series)

SITUATION
When driving on rough roads, a rattling noise can be heard from either the left or right side where the RHT (retractable hardtop) meets the cowl panel.

CAUSE

1. Tolerances between the centering pin located at the front of the forward roof shell and the striker located in the cowl panel.

2. The spring washers held in place by the cowl panel reached micro switch were installed incorrectly and are loose.

CORRECTION

1. Install a washer on the centering pin to increase the tension on the striker.

2. Rearrange the spring washers.

PROCEDURE
In case of a customer complaint, perform the following procedure.

1. Tolerance between centering pin and striker:

a. Verify the concern by road testing the car and pressing down on the front corner of the front roof shell to see if the noise is eliminated. If the noise is not eliminated, continue with Procedure 2.

b. Unscrew the centering pin on the side where the noise can be heard.

c. Install 1 washer onto the centering pin, then install the pin and retest.

d. If the noise can still be heard, install 1 additional washer.

NOTE:
Installing too many washers can raise the static position of the front roof shell and lead to excessive wind noise or water leaks.

2. Spring washers:

a. Remove the cowl panel reached micro switch per repair instruction RA 54 37 240.

b. As the switch is removed, a stack of spring washers will be lowered out of the striker with the switch.

c. Reverse the direction of the spring washers as necessary to raise the height of the stack.

d. Reinstall the spring washers and micro switch, then retest.





PARTS INFORMATION

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Please refer to the latest KSD for all applicable labor operations and allowances.

If the appropriate labor operation is not contained in KSD, then a work time labor operation should be used.

Defect Code 54 37 10 39 00