1991 325iC - Rear Cover Questions

[JWHIII]

My vert was converted from power to manual top as well. I had a guy on here who was parting out a vert cut out the entire hinge section along with shock mounts and send them to me. My question now is once i cut the brackets loose how should i go about attaching them to my car? Originally they were spot welded but that's not an option for me. I had planned on just bolting them but wondering if anyone on here has a better idea. Here's a pic of the hinge setup i purchased. Unfortunately the shocks are shot so if anyone can point me in the direction of less expensive replacements I'd greatly appreciate it.

[rcsoundn1]

Still in for where these shocks were found for $5

[mikerob97]

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

No worries about hijacking the thread - all great info for me (and others). A Cabriolet sub forum would be nice - I have many other questions specific to the Cab.

Thanks again everyone

[Semblance]

I assume it's easier to do it with the top off the car right? I have to do that anyway to fix a bolt that sheared off. Thanks for the tip!

[Das Delfin]

^ just fyi, changing these shocks is a major bitch. Getting them out is okay but to get them back in there's a little metal clip you have to feed through at just the right angle, making sure it doesn't fling off into oblivion all the while doing this through the cage that makes up the arms of the folding top. It takes some patience and needle nose and I don't recommend doing it at night :up:

[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.

[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.

[rcsoundn1]

Where?^^

[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

[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.

[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:

[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.

[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.

[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?

[mr2peak]

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