Frayed Tension Cords, Revisited

I read a lot of the threads on the frayed tension cords on our HTC and was wondering if anyone has attempted this repair on their own? and another question has anyone paid for the repair and its cost

Mind are frayed( the ones in the trunk)

thanks
Hondo

Originally Posted by hondo402000

I read a lot of the threads on the frayed tension cords on our HTC and was wondering if anyone has attempted this repair on their own? and another question has anyone paid for the repair and its cost

Mind are frayed( the ones in the trunk)

Use Google to look for a DIY.

Or do your own - a low tech fix.

Dealer did mine, but would do it myself if it happens again, looks relatively easy to do, but a bit tedious. I have not come across anyone posting up a DIY yet. I would just take lots of pics and if you have a nice dealer, ask them to print the instructions form the TIS system for you showing you how to install the replacement kit.

Rob

Hondo:
PM Kat as she had her's replaced and was there while they did some of the work and talked to the tech doing it. From what I remember it was a huge pita even for them.
I had looked into higher strength cord as a material to replace what they were using but that idea slowly died.
I think Kat is the best resource on this one...

I greased all the tops moving parts the other dayand kryloxed all the rubber seals, I also put some kylox on the tension cord that was frayed, maybe that will slow down the wearing, hopefully it will not degrade the cord, I think I might order the replacement cords just to see what they look like and decide from there what to do and also order a service manual, maybe that tells you how to replace them

Hondo

Please post the part numbers and if possible pics of what you receive. I think many E93 owners would benefit from that...

Can someone post a link to the DIY. I spent a while searching a while ago drawing a blank + just tried again with no luck. Likely I am using the wrong terms

Mine look fine but I'd like to see a DIY on how to replace them

well I found out after talking to BMW dealer that I believe its called a Bowden Cable, PN 54377298066 and $52.32, not sure if its both sides or Each
but check out this web site the parts guy gave me

realoem.com

pretty great site for OEM BMW part numbers, not sure if this has been posted on the site, but maybe it can be put in the top list that always stays on the first page of the forum

Hondo

Originally Posted by hondo402000

well I found out after talking to BMW dealer that I believe its realoem.com

pretty great site for OEM BMW part numbers, not sure if this has been posted on the site, but maybe it can be put in the top list that always stays on the first page of the forum

Hondo

Real OEM is ok, but these days I much prefer this one http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com. A friend of mine created the template, IIRC he only sells the site to one dealer per manufacturer.

Originally Posted by hondo402000

well I found out after talking to BMW dealer that I believe its called a Bowden Cable, PN 54377298066 and $52.32, not sure if its both sides or Each
but check out this web site the parts guy gave me

realoem.com

pretty great site for OEM BMW part numbers, not sure if this has been posted on the site, but maybe it can be put in the top list that always stays on the first page of the forum

Hondo

Actually,
The part number according the the warranty paperwork when my tensioning cords were replaced is PN 54377277475 (Tension Rope, Internal Headliner).

Originally Posted by Nordic_Kat

Actually,
The part number according the the warranty paperwork when my tensioning cords were replaced is PN 54377277475 (Tension Rope, Internal Headliner).

Part is $16.71 http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...rm=54377277475

Would love to see a DIY write up

Well the question now is... the tension cord is it 2 separate cords per side, because thats what is appears to be to me. the one I am talking about starts in the trunk attached to the floor and comes out of a thin rubber tube and runs thru that metal loop, which is where it is fraying, and then the other end attaches to one of the side head liner pieces. if you stop the top half way when the trunk in in the up position you can see where it ends, Not sure but I then believe there is another cord that runs thru those side liner fabric pieces,

again not 100 percent sure

Hondo

I am sure once you figure this out it will help all of us. I don't operate my top that often but once I see the DIY replacing the tension cords I will be more inclined to do so.

Originally Posted by fun2drive

I am sure once you figure this out it will help all of us. I don't operate my top that often but once I see the DIY replacing the tension cords I will be more inclined to do so.

Hey Fun2D,

Since my original post where I discovered my worn cords at 22 months of ownership, and the subsequent warranty repair, I've not lessened my top exercising the least little bit. The new cords are closing in on the age of the original equipment was when I noticed the failure and the new cords (ropes) show little to no wear.

IIRC, when I had my car in for the warranty replacement, the service manager (my former SA) immediately noted there was a TSB/SIB for the replacement on 2007-2009 cars. If you go back to my original thread on this Mace14 nailed it:

Originally Posted by Mace14

I just checked on my '11 M3 and there has been a redesign using two different types of cords. The cord with the braided cover is still used to pull the soft portions of the roof liner into place on the two roof panels but these cords do not have a lot of tension on them. It appears to me that the soft braided cover is also intended to eliminate potential damage to the roof paint as there are two lines that rub along the painted edge of the rear roof panel during the fold/unfold operation.

The new part replaces the cord that goes from the bottom roof mounting in the trunk up through a couple of eyes to pull the hard plastic portion of the C-pillar into place. That's the one that is heavily frayed in Kat's pictures. This cord is under a lot more tension than the others which is apparently causing the torn covers and it's now replaced with a much thinner but apparently very tough cord without a cover on it.

When you get your cords replaced make sure that you get the new part.

I just reread through my original thread. Mace14 actually had a lot of good info with regard to cord pathway etc.

For reference: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...cally+top+down

I set up an appointment at the BMW Palace for Friday, 2 reasons, 1 is to fix my radio issue, suppose to have SAT radio and the AUX port doesnt work, 2- to check the frayed cables, I will make sure to tell them that I think there was a SIB for 2007-2009 cars and see if I can get it fixed for free, I could offer to pay for the parts!
I doubt I will tackle the replacement on my own, I would if I had a service manual, looks like a service manual is about 120.00

Keep you posted

Hondo

OK, mine is a late model 2009. Likely that explains why the cords look fine

the only thing I dont understand with BMW is they spent a LOT of time designing this top and all the intricrate parts and then put a 20.00 part in that wears out. They could at least put a minature roller in where the cord wears instead of that metal loop!

Hondo

I have the service manual and it doesn't say squat about this. So unless you are adventureous you are making the right call.
A better material for the cords would stand up to a lot of wear or use of a better load transfer mechanism would too...
Love to hear how this goes for you...

Well dropped off the BMW at the palace today to have the tension cords replaced, will let you know how much it cost when I get the bill, Just didnt want to take a chance in messing something up

Hondo

Originally Posted by MP3_E46

Part is $16.71 http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...rm=54377277475

Would love to see a DIY write up

Ha! Even at that price I cry: FOO! FOO! FOO!

Mr. beden1 allows as how some boots use the same cord as lacing. Why, for just $3 you can have same. A little USA 'Can-Do' and you got it- spankin' new cords + sa-mooth operation!

Originally Posted by hondo402000

the only thing I dont understand with BMW is they spent a LOT of time designing this top and all the intricrate parts and then put a 20.00 part in that wears out. They could at least put a minature roller in where the cord wears instead of that metal loop!

Clearly you are not an engineer.

Once a thing is shown to work, it stays that way. Problems later? Diff solutioin? Wait! That was Not Invented Here.

BMW deliberated, what, 4 years to solve a painfully obvious HPFP problem. The fix was: Keep suction side pressure high with a small change in LPFP software coding.

Would be my pleasure to interview the bozos who strung that one along! Gotta wonder what it cost to recall & do hardware replacement; recoding.....and if those good folks are still employed....

CALwaterboy, yes clearly I dont have a degree in Engineering but I worked for an Engineering firm for 15 years and managed engineers, and most couldnt solve a COMMON problem without getting their slide rule out.
as for the tension cords, I just got a call from the BMW palace and they finished replacing the cords and CAR Max paid for it too! Car Max, great service!

Happy Day!

Hondo

Originally Posted by hondo402000

CALwaterboy, yes clearly I dont have a degree in Engineering but I worked for an Engineering firm for 15 years and managed engineers, and most couldnt solve a COMMON problem without getting their slide rule out.

What is a slide rule?

Is it like a Jedi sword?

Cost to replace frayed tension cords,
$284.46, 2.5 hours labor and parts

so now you know

Hondo

Originally Posted by hondo402000

Cost to replace frayed tension cords,
$284.46, 2.5 hours labor and parts

so now you know

"This stinks! This is total BS!" -- Bulldog Briscoe

Really, doesn't look difficult at all....ask them exactly what the procedure was. You may be surprised - post here!