My top started making noises a few days ago, and then dropped this part from the driver's side arm near the windshield mount. The top is still operating and not making noise. The part appears to be a sliding surface with a little bit of rubber embedded in it. It has "LH" molded into the leading tip.

Anyone know what it is? Should I make an effort to replace it?

2005 S convertible

 

I finally had chance to inspect this part. I removed plastic guards from drivers and pass. side rails (very easy, one screw), and track is fully visible. Plastic part is a shoe that rides in rail to align leading edge of sunroof. I imagine it helps keep gasket tight. See photos of broken part and passenger side still intact part.

Do you think Pelican Parts can supply it? I could not see in their catalog images, so I sent them a message.

Also: anyone suggest a lubricant for this track? It seems really dry.

 

Of course you noticed that it was only the plastic part of the mechanism that broke off, right?

I hate plastic parts; they always break!

If it were me and it was still working correctly, I'd probably just leave it alone; unless the car is under warranty and then I would depressingly go to the dealer. That's just me, though.

You could try here...

http://www.usedminicooperparts.com/

 

This is Pelican Parts's reply to my inquiry:

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(Michael Ashcraft) [Submitted 26-7-2010-12:04 ]
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Hello,

We're sorry . Bmw does not specify the contents of these kits and we do not currently have technical information on the Mini convertible top mechanisms . You might try our tech forums or refer to a service manual for guidance .


-Thank you

Michael Ashcraft
Bmw Specialist
Pelican Parts, Inc.
(888)280-7799 Ext.304

 

I think that was the part I replaced not too long before my top stopped working. I will check and let you know. Just FYI - I don't know if it is a sign of things to come but a couple of weeks after I replaced that part, my top stopped retracting. Sunroof portion works fine but after that, nothing happens and it throws NO codes even though the button does flash and all the micro switches appear fine as well. If it is the same part, it is available from Mini for about a couple of hundred dollars and they come in pairs - left & right - but you may have to modify it by sanding a small "nipple" down since Mini has redesigned many of the parts to fit their redesigned top retraction system because they were built crappy to begin with.

 

Probably a really stupid question but did you make sure the shelf thing in the boot was properly sitting where it is supposed to be? It depresses one or two (possibly one on each side or just one...cant remember) little buttons. If those arent pushed in, the sunroof will retract but not the top. The light flashes and no codes are thrown in this situation, that is what made me think of it. Official instructions/ description is in the owner's manual.

 

Ahh yes the infamous convert. sunroof top fail.

Your will Need Item #14 (which has the plastic that failed), #11 and the mounting hardware. See my attachment for a graphic and part# detail.


Item# 14 is part # 54 34 7 174 761
Item# 11 is part# 54 34 7 174 762
Hardware (not listed in diagram) P# 54 34 7 163 652

All in all everything costs about 600-700 bucks

The reason it is so expensive is becasue item #14 is one complete unit for driver/passenger sides, you cannot get one side separately. But this is the fix for this type of problem.

EDIT: my pricing estimate is for parts only, not including labor. Also, keep in mind, you may be able to find it cheaper.

 

Thanks. I looked up the parts on allminiparts.com. For some annoying reason their listing below the diagram does not display #11 and #14 with identification. They are labeled on the diagram, and the parts are listed below, but without the matching graphic legend.

The dealer in Columbus, Dublin Mini, is quoting me $1825 total for a repair that replaces #11, #14, hardware, and the motor #7, which they warn is "noisy". About $500 of that is labor, and the part prices are significantly higher than allminiparts.com.

Convertible season is just about over, so my plan to leave the top up all winter and look for the best repair deal before spring. Can anyone recommend a less expensive repair shop near Dayton, OH for this repair?

I garage the car and the top is still working, so right now I leave the top down all the time, only putting it up if it rains while driving. But I worry one day I will be out and the top will suddenly refuse to close.

 

Not to be odd, but from the looks of it the "shoe" would seem to be pretty straightforward to fabricate. Its also easy to drill into the existing bracket, countersink the hole(s) and insert a flat head machine screw that was flush to the surface. Certainly a lot cheaper than buying a new part and from the looks of it could be accomplished in situ.

Jon
'06 MINI S/C

 

Yes, that is an option, but a time consuming one. I actually have a small shop and milling machine. It is a fiddly part, and the ear it fits on is only about 1/8 or 3/16 inch extension. I would have be constantly cutting and fitting. It needs to have a nice contour to navigate the rail where it curves down as the sunroof closes. I would make the part out of a length of square delrin.

 

Agree, delrin would be a good choice for the material, probably better that one made out of copper stock that I was thinking of. What are the two recessed rectangles on the bracket? Guess I'll have to take mine apart.

Nice work.
Jon
'06 MINI S/C