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Subject: Rear quarter window shade fixed with a paper clip Author: DavidC (moderator) : member since December, 2003 : 12116 posts Posted on: 2004-07-18 19:32:11

The small window sunshade on the driver's rear window recently stopped retracting, so I took it apart and fixed it. Naturally, this was a good opportunity to document yet another DIY fix for our beloved e38's so plenty of photos were taken.



I've read others' reports of fixing the shade mechanism, but they weren't always clear about how to actually remove the shade assembly from the window. Its actually quite simple. All you need to do is insert a small flat-blade screwdriver in a slot in the top backside of the plastic housing, then find the metal clip and push it up. Pushing up on the clip will release the entire shade assembly which can then be tilted away from the door and pulled up.


Insert a small flat-blade screwdriver into the slot at the top of the plastic housing. Use the screwdriver to exert upward force on the underside of the metal clip to to release the shade assembly.


This view clearly shows the metal clip that must be pushed up to release the shade assembly.


This is the top of the shade assembly. You can clearly see the plastic ridge to which the metal clip is secured. Pushing up on the metal clip on the window releases the shade assembly from the window.



Two views of the lower part of the shade assembly showing the reason that the shade is not retracting. The plastic post that should be on the right side of the metal post at the end of the roller is missing. The left plastic post is still in place. Note that the metal post on the end of the roller is flat, designed to fit snugly in a slot between two plastic posts. Because the right plastic post is missing, the roller assembly is brushing against the housing, preventing the roller from retracting fully.



Use a pair of pliers to reposition the metal post in the groove next to the plastic post.


Take a large paper clip and bend and cut it to the approximate shape above. The idea is to make it hold the metal post to the plastic post while providing a firm wedge between the right side of the metal post and the plastic housing.


The paper clip in place. Note how it wraps over and around to affix the metal post against the left plastic post. If the left plastic post is missing in your case, you can fashion a guide for the end of the roller using a piece of metal such as from a soda can.


Reinstall the shade assembly and you're done!

David Cecil
'97 740iL, 125k miles
'86 735i, 94k miles

www.e38.org has links for everything about your BMW 7-series automobile

• Rear quarter window shade fixed with a paper clip (pic) (url) - DavidC 2004-07-18 19:32:11 (29266 views)
  • Moderator's note: Additonal info in this followup thread (url) - DavidC 2005-05-30 03:42:23 (1656 views)
  • David, nice recap hope U post on e38.org - CG 2004-07-19 01:39:37 (935 views)
  • Add JB Weld to paper clip fix and it will permanent (nt) - Claudio 2004-07-18 20:25:36 (1204 views)
  • David I must say, you always seem to have the best write ups. (nt) - johngoga 2004-07-18 19:39:15 (811 views)