How to remove Soft Top motor

[MORRIE]

I want to replace the rubber grommet around the antenna base. From what I have read, the soft top motor must be removed to gain access to the grommet from inside the trunk area. How do I remove the motor? Here are some pics of the motor.

[Vintage42]

I want to replace the rubber grommet around the antenna base. From what I have read, the soft top motor must be removed to gain access to the grommet from inside the trunk area...

This says just loosen and move the motor (which I don't have):
https://blog.bavauto.com/11619/bmw-a...nvertible-e36/
Then drop the antenna base:
http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8613
When I replaced my antenna and outer grommet, I lubed the inner and outer grommet and the bulbous tip of the base, and pushed the tip up through the grommets. It went easily. You will not need a new inner grommet as it is out of the weather and like new.

[MORRIE]

I need information on how to remove the motor. Rest of procedure appears to look simple...I hope.

[BimmerBreaker]

It's pretty easy man, like one bolt as I remember, but I'm not even sure it needs to come out for that job? I don't remember it actually being in the way of the antennae when installed in place but been awhile since I've had a roadster...

I recommend just taking a look at it, it's a very simple job. Just peel the carpet back on the driver's side of the trunk to take a look.

[Vintage42]

... From what I have read, the soft top motor must be removed to gain access to the grommet from inside the trunk area...

It sounds like the pump just needs to be shifted a bit to get the antenna base out, like maybe undoing the mounting bolts above the date in this picture:
IMG_2720.jpg
It is the antenna's base or amplifier that must be removed, not to allow access to the grommet, but to pull the antenna tip out of the grommet so the grommet can be pried out of its hole in the fender.
It is true that there is a second grommet that is in the body, not the fender, that can only be reached from inside the trunk, but that grommet will not need replacing.

[MORRIE]

Found the bolt that releases the motor so I could slide it out of the bracket....loosened bracket that holds amp so I could release bolt that was holding the motor. Then unbolted the bracket holding bottom of antenna base. Pushed the tip of the base up through the large rubber grommet and into the fender then inserted the small rubber grommet over the tip and pushed it into hole in the fender. Looks good to me. Thanks guys for your input/help.

[healeydays]

It sounds like the pump just needs to be shifted a bit to get the antenna base out, like maybe undoing the mounting bolts above the date in this picture:
IMG_2720.jpg
It is the antenna's base or amplifier that must be removed, not to allow access to the grommet, but to pull the antenna tip out of the grommet so the grommet can be pried out of its hole in the fender.
It is true that there is a second grommet that is in the body, not the fender, that can only be reached from inside the trunk, but that grommet will not need replacing.

I just took the car out of it's winter nap and found out someone leaned on the antenna and snapped it off inside the base. So I popped the molding off to do what I though would be an easy base swapou from what I've seen around here, and I see a roof hydraulic unit and what looks to be a Harman Kardon amplifier. It's got so much stuff in that corner, I can't even see the antenna base. Definitely not a 5 minute project. Maybe I'll go without radio short term.

[BimmerBreaker]

It's like a 10 minute project if you have the amp, its just a few bolts to remove it from it's mount and set aside