Boot lid hinges

[Layor]

Hi all,
When I bought my 2003 Z4 a few months ago the were a few little things needing attention, as you would expect on a car of that vintage. You know the sort of thing, no engine, odd wheels, bent chassis, rust holes in the bodywork.... I jest, of course No, she is in great condition and I am pleased with her. But, on the boot lid there are hinges on either side that have small springs towards the front of the car. One of these springs was broken and the other disconnected. The gas struts are working fine and there is enough pressure there to open the boot by an inch or two. I know the boot is not supposed to open all the way from release, but wondered if those small springs help it open to around a foot or so?
I cannot find the springs separate from the hinges on the web, and I guess that I can live with them as they are. But just wondering if anyone has had similar trouble.
Colin.

 

[t-tony]

I fitted the aero style boot spoiler on mine (2003) Colin and even though the lid pops up a bit when you open it I still have to lift it. At least I now have something to lift it with.

Tony.

 

[Layor]

It certainly does help, Tony! While I have the wheels re-painted, hopefully by next week, I'm going to take the boot lid off and have it re-sprayed, do you know of any problems in removing the spoiler, badge, and the red, brake strip light? I'd rather take everything off than cover them up with tape.

 

[Burns]

But, on the boot lid there are hinges on either side that have small springs towards the front of the car. One of these springs was broken and the other disconnected. The gas struts are working fine and there is enough pressure there to open the boot by an inch or two. I know the boot is not supposed to open all the way from release, but wondered if those small springs help it open to around a foot or so?

Hello Colin, it is normal that the boot lid lifts only about an inch after opening with the remote key or the button in the inside.
Then you have to lift it up by hand. I drive Z4 since 2006. First a Z4 2.2i and then after three years the 3.0si.
Hope I could help a little bit.

 

[Layor]

Yes, thank you for that, Burns. I'm guessing that the springs are there just to help the gas struts initialize. Which, in my case, as the springs are not connected, doesn't happen. As long as the boot opens I can live with it. Although, after looking on the net, new hinges are not that expensive so I may well get some. I'd like to keep the car in as an original condition as possible.
Cheers, Colin.
l

 

[Layor]

By the way, I love your car number plate!! Kudos! I wish I could get my Amateur Radio callsign on mine. But MW0OZI just doesn't cut it

 

[t-tony]

I looked at my car earlier Colin and these springs are only "connected" at one end.

Tony.

 

[Burns]

By the way, I love your car number plate!! Kudos! I wish I could get my Amateur Radio callsign on mine. But MW0OZI just doesn't cut it

That is not the original plate. Someone did this with Photoshop for me.
In Germany it's not possible to get personal plates. You can only get your initials or the numbers you wish.
My original ist NK for Neunkirchen in Germany and than GF 25.

 

[hard top]

In Germany it's not possible to get personal plates.

Same in the Netherlands Burn.

 

[Layor]

Tony, that would explain a lot! I wondered why we were having a job trying to fit the 'loose' end over a lug on one of the arms of the hinge
The lug has a groove in it, which looked as though the spring may have fitted there. See, not been here five minutes and already learned something
Burns, what a shame! You could always 'photoshop' the real car, I won't tell, honest!!
All the best, Colin.

 

[t-tony]

@Layor Colin here's a couple of pictures of my boot hinges.

Tony.

 

[Burns]

Another photo from the left side in my z4

 

[t-tony]

It certainly does help, Tony! While I have the wheels re-painted, hopefully by next week, I'm going to take the boot lid off and have it re-sprayed, do you know of any problems in removing the spoiler, badge, and the red, brake strip light? I'd rather take everything off than cover them up with tape.

Sorry late replying here mate. Badges are stuck on with double sided tape so you'll need some more to replace them (3m a good brand). The high level stop light is held in place by 3 x 8mm nuts and springs and washers IIRC, you need a deep socket. Forget removing the spoiler it is bonded on.

Tony.

 

[Nodzed]

Have a look at the SGS web site, they do gas struts to fit the Zeds (boots and bonnets), also adjustable ones that come over gassed and once fitted you can open a release valve to adjust the pressure so they aren't too strong, with these I am guessing they will easily open the Z4 boot lid all the way and would in fact need depressurising a bit. They also do standard OEM replacements

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/gas-struts/adjustable

 

[Layor]

@t-tony Thanks for that info Tony. Very helpful, I'm surprised that the badge is only held on by double-sided tape. I was expecting a small, 8mm, nut similar to the brake light strip. But if it does the job.....!
@Burns Appreciate the photo's Burn, my bad in thinking that the loop on the spring fitted over the lug! I can see how it works now. Thank you.
@ Nodzed Thanks for the link, I'll look them up later today. Although the struts are working okay, they are starting to look a bit worn and I was thinking about changing them anyway, so it's a good excuse to fit something a bit better. I've got a picture in my head of the lid flying across the road as I click the catch cos' I didn't adjust the pressure.
Cheers, Colin.