I just realized that I posted this in the "how to" section and not in the Cabrio Talk section by mistake. I've got a 2005 R52 convertible and the latching mechanism for the soft top broke, and managed to score the replacement parts from a "pull your own parts" junkyard, but I'm having rouble getting the top to close all the way. it's close, but just shy. I've taken some photos and a little bit of video which I'll share later, but right now just trying to figure out why the top is closing just shy of "totally closed" with the front windshield weatherstrip rubber. It's about an inch shy of fully closed, which is leaving a visible gap when I look up at it from inside the car. It didn't seem like there was much wiggle room when attaching the metal front bow, so I don't know what to adjust or tweak. Any idea or suggestions are welcome. The gap between the soft top and the windshield rubber seal is about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch which leaves enough room for whistling etc.

I'll post photos in a minute once I transfer them over to my laptop.

 

Here is the actual part that broke, but when I took it all apart (thanks again to Tullid(?) that made those videos) I found some of the slider parts were gone and/or worn away to nothing. There was also significant wear on the rails that I cleaned and smoothed out with a scotch-brite pad, then lubed liberally with white lithium grease.

 

I lucked out that the local junkyard had an R52 with these still intact, although pulling them out in sweltering heat, humidity, and blazing sun was less than fun.