Re: Rear window shade won't retract

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BMW 7 Series Digest
Volume 22 Issue 9 Article 5
Fixing rear sunshade - my take...

Date: Mon, 9 Aug 1999 08:29:07 -0700
From: Rolf Engstrom
Subject: Fixing rear sunshade - my take...

Below are past instructions from the our wonderful 7 digest. I thought I'd add
my comments as I've just finished fixing my shade...

Notes:
I spent considerable time trying to figure out how to remove the center arm
rest. Finally I decided to try to proceed using this step as 'optional' ( I
couldn't figure it out ). The instructions went fine ( turns out I didn't need
to remove center arm rest ) - after removing the proper screws, center head rest
bolt, the 4 retaining plastic push pin thingies ( that hold in the rear deck ),
and the 'C-pillar covers' ( took me a while to figure out these were the side
trim pieces with the back lights - they just pull up and out - don't need to
disconnect wires etc - no screws ), I pulled the deck back and out.

From the nothing goes as easily as it should department:
I went to drill out the screws on the round holed cover ( one has a slot for
tensioning the other is round ). Of course, as drilling, a piece of the plastic
cap broke. Now I was faced with having to use one screw to hold the end. I
tensioned the spring, and as I was screwing, I screwed myself - the screw was
too large and broke the other part of the plastic cover :(

On the positive side:
BMW can order these parts ( along with the rivets - I ordered both caps and
rivets ).

Unabashed gushing over hotmelt:
Faced with days of no rear shade, and having to reassemble a truly broken mess,
I went for my handy cordless glue gun. tensioned the sunshade and started
layering glue. It not only worked, it is clear that it will most likely outlast
the car. A battery operated glue gun would be a mighty tool - to go along with
my handy roll of duct ( duck ) tape...

Rolf - 91 E32 750iL
Rolf Engstrom
Quality Consultant
Hewlett Packard Company, Internet Business Unit
VeriFone Appliance Division
'714-434-2174
Rolf_e1@verifone.com
3080 Airway AV
Costa Mesa Ca 92626
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 15:29:40 EST
From: Asmaradezn@aol.com
Subject: Re: E-32 Rear Window Shade: 750iL vs 735i

Your sping's probably OK. It's not very well attached to the deck cover in
order to maintain tension and has probably sprung.

The spring is inside the roller. At one end of the roller is a small metal
rod that mates with a plastic piece fitted to the rear deck trim. If this
rod spins in the plastic fitting, the spring looses all of its tension and
the shade won't retract.

To get to the unit, remove the headrests (pull straight up), the center arm
rest (squeeze the spring loaded clips), the trim above the arm rest (one nut
underneath), the rear seat backs (two bolts per seat through the headrest
holes and behind the removed arm rest trim), and the c-pillar covers. Then
remove the plastic clips that hold in the rear deck cover and pull the cover
forward to remove it from the car.

The plastic fittings at each end of the roller are held in the rear deck
cover with rivits. Drill out the rivits on the end of the roller with the
spring rod and replace them with short screws during reassembly. Turn the
roller to retract the shade and then additionally preload the spring rod
about 7 revolutions (use your good judgement) and fit the plastic fitting on
to the spring rod. Without letting the spring unsproing, secure the fitting
to the deck cover with your new screws. It may be necessary to add some
washers (as shims) to the spindle at the other end of the roller to keep the
spring rod engaged with the plastic fitting.

Test.

You may find it necessary to increase or decrease the preload on the spring.
You may also find it necessary to reinforce the plastic fitting to restrain
the spring rod properly.

Now you can reassemble the car.

Allow about two hours and be prepared to have to do it again sooner or
later.

Good luck.

Kirk
'67 2000CS
'71 2800
'75 530i
'88 750iL
'89 750iL
BMW CCA 26653

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