Two Roll Bar Cassettes
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 151 other vehicles, including the 2006 BMW X5, 2006 BMW M3, 2006 BMW 330Ci, 2006 BMW 325Ci, and 2005 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The cassettes are positioned in a reinforced body structure, behind the rear seat backrests. Each cassette assembly consists of a "U" shaped bar that is guided by low friction plastic bushings. The bar is held in the retracted positioned against spring pressure by a lever. The lever is solenoid controlled to unlock the bar for deployment. The two springs ensure that the bar will deploy quickly to provide adequate protection.
When deployed, the bar is held in place by a ratchet and lever assembly that locks the bar in the raised position.