1991 325iC - Rear Cover Questions

[mikerob97]

The previous owner of my newly acquired ride, converted the convertible top from automatic to manual operation. I think most of the parts are correct except they did not add the small rear spring/shocks to hold up the rear cover while you are folding down the top. I would like to add them.

I found a picture on this site of the lower bracket that I will need to weld / bolt - however, I need the part number to order one. Does anyone know this?

I also need to see what the upper shock mount looks like - can someone shoot me a picture of how the upper shock attaches to the cover?

Kinda some off the wall questions I realize, but thought I would give a try.

Thanks

[Das Delfin]

I meant to grab a photo today but completely forgot, with the weather being 12 degrees and all. It's just two shocks and they clip onto the car like the one in the trunk does. ie, mine aren't like the one in your attached photo

[mikerob97]

I meant to grab a photo today but completely forgot, with the weather being 12 degrees and all. It's just two shocks and they clip onto the car like the one in the trunk does. ie, mine aren't like the one in your attached photo

And I think you guys are getting more snow today / tonight.

This is my winter project car so if / when it does warm up in CT, please shoot me a few pics of the lower and upper connection points so I can start piecing this thing back together correctly.

[Das Delfin]

Ok here's some photos. The plastic window was groaning the whole time but I cracked it last year so it's all good :up:

passenger side upper mount


passenger side lower mount


drivers side upper mount from the opposite angle (the cable goes to the trunk for some reason or another. I believe it's supposed to disable the trunk open mechanism but it totally doesn't)

[Semblance]

That cable connects to a mechanism in the trunk that prevents the trunk from opening if the tonneau is open, or vice versa, to prevent damage to either. If yours doesn't do that, then it's broken. There's a cable that comes from the mech and connects to the trunk lid on the same side.

[mr2peak]

This would be a perfect question for an 3xxIC section.

[rcsoundn1]

^YES! As for making it full manual it's a good idea. The gas shocks are IMO expensive though. I'll never understand why they cost so much?

[Das Delfin]

^YES! As for making it full manual it's a good idea. The gas shocks are IMO expensive though. I'll never understand why they cost so much?

+2 stuff like this is perfect for an iC section. I don't think any other forum has one so everyone would flock to this one and it would be huge.

My shocks didn't work when I bought it, but after a year of holding the cover open with my shoulder I gave in and decided to pay the $30 each. And then bought the two smaller ones that go inside the top folding mechanism. And their sleeves. Because my old ones didn't fit well for some reason.

[mikerob97]

guys - thanks for the photos and the comments. I would also like to see a section devoted to Cabriolets. Now I just need to figure out how to buy or make the lower bracket that the spring / shock mounts to.

[N2MYE30]

Hey Mike. Good info on this thread but im just here to say hello from someone local. If your not aware, us local e30ers have a FB page NCE30. Look us up and get involved. Someone is probably right around the corner from you willing to give you a hand. :up:

[Semblance]

... And then bought the two smaller ones that go inside the top folding mechanism. And their sleeves. Because my old ones didn't fit well for some reason.

So what exactly do these do? I'm sure mine are toast, but not sure if it would be worth the $$ to replace them? Do they help you lift the top? It's damned heavy.

[Mr. Tasty]

^YES! As for making it full manual it's a good idea. The gas shocks are IMO expensive though. I'll never understand why they cost so much?

top lid shocks are like $5

[rcsoundn1]

Where?^^

[Das Delfin]

So what exactly do these do? I'm sure mine are toast, but not sure if it would be worth the $$ to replace them? Do they help you lift the top? It's damned heavy.

That's exactly it - they help you lift the top. I got the sleeves from bavauto and the shocks themselves either came from pelican or bavauto.

They are part # 54 31 1 932 751 and the sleeves are 54 31 1 943 751. My old sleeves were too tight to use with the new shocks for some reason. Bavauto has the shocks for $40 each but I don't remember paying that much for them.

[Semblance]

That's exactly it - they help you lift the top.....Bavauto has the shocks for $40 each but I don't remember paying that much for them.

Great info! I'll add this to the to-do list, it would be worth the 80 to save my back :) gettin old. I haven't seen them for less. And I have certainly never seen $5 tonneau shocks anywhere, would love to see a link to that. I paid about $25 each.

Poor OP, sorry for jacking the thread. We need a vert sub forum.