Convertible top main frame broken
 

Looking for suggestions.
The main frame component is broken where it attaches to a "pivot" point. This appears to be some type of cast metal. My only thoughts are to try to buy one from a wrecked car (or buy the whole wrecked car).

Then I was wondering if maybe a machine type shop could fabricate and weld something to repair it.

Anyone else have experience with this issue.

I assume the top has other issues too, but this is the first one to resolve.

FYI: My 370z is a 2010 with 24K miles. I purchased it with the top broken. My guess is the top was having other issues and the previous owner broke the frame trying to repair or pry on it.

http://www.the370z.com/members/crayz...de-broken.html

http://www.the370z.com/members/crayz...ot-broken.html

Any suggestions?

The main frame structure to the top is broken at a pivot point. Anyone had any experience with this? Any suggestions besides buying a frame from a wrecked car?

http://www.the370z.com/members/crayz...ide-broken.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/crayz...not-broken.jpg

My Z is a 2010. The main top frame is broken at a pivot point. Any suggestions other than buying a used top assembly (or a new one)?

Picture of the passenger's side that is not broken:

http://www.the370z.com/members/crayz...not-broken.jpg


Picture of the driver's side that is broken:

Yes, I had the same thing happen to my 2017 Roadster. The guys at Nissan told me they'd seen a lot of these. Since my car was under warranty, they replaced the whole top for free. But they said the cost would have been $19K if it hadn't been under warranty!!
I would guess that the hinge could be welded by a reputable shop. It'd at least be worth spending a hundred bucks on it to try. Far better than getting a new top!
As far as getting one from a wrecked car: The roadsters are pretty rare; I suspect it would be hard to track one down. I'd definitely start by asking a guy at a good body shop what they could do.
Good luck!
Steve

My 2015 370Z convertible top frame broke - trying to find the frame second hand - my former 350Z had the metal frame - I'm working with Nissan North America (wrote to CEO several times) and my mechanic to find a replacement - guessing you could get a shop to create part - no luck on my side finding a replacement in good condition yet

My convertible top 2015 370Z frame (plastic) frame broke and I am not under warranty - yes it is $18,000 to replace since they don't sell the frame separately - you have to buy the whole "kit" - trying to get Nissan North America to help (wrote to CEO and several VP's multiple times - say they are trying to locate a used one for me - we will see) - I am heartbroken my convertible is "useless" at the moment. Have mechanic looking for me also.

Crayz1,

With the proliferation of CNC machines and 3D printers in ndustry and smaller businesses, I would wonder if you couldn't remove the good bracket frame section from the other side of the car, and then have a new one made ... but in reverse to match the broken one.

Someone in these businesses should be able to help you out. You give them the broken one and the other one that's not broken, and they manufacture a new one from similar materials. Certainly worth spending some time tracking down just such a solution in a small to medium sized business locally or in a small city near you.

Its what I'd be trying to do. Good Luck!

Gene

Do not waste your money on a used top. It will probably be in worse condition than yours and eventually break AGAIN. The only real permanent solution is to 3D scan and refabricate out of titanium:

I don't have a convertible, but if I did:

Step 1. I'd have a local convertible specialist extract the broken part, (driver and passenger side).

Step 2. Take precise measurements (break out the digital caliper) and have an Autocad model generated for the part. If you don't know how to do this, find someone locally who does, maybe a shop that can 3D scan it and generate an Autocad file for you.

Step 3. Send the completed Autocad computer file to a firm like this to fabricate a new part out of titanium: https://www.emachineshop.com/titanium/. Contact them, maybe they can also do the 3D scanning for you.

Step 4. Ask other forumers here if they were interested in a group buy to get the cost of producing the part down. If I was another random convertible owner on here, I would participate in the group buy even if my part was not broken yet, just to have them on hand for when they do, because it is a question of when not if. Heck, I'd probably swap them out before they broke, just so it's better than factory.

Step 5. Have local convertible specialist install new titanium parts.

Step 6. Never worry about part breaking down or corroding ever again; it's titanium. I chose titanium because the original part is made of aluminum. I bet Nissan (or their supplier who are building this roof for them) chose aluminum for this hinge because they don't want the heavy weight of stainless steel weighing down the assembly. Thus, as someone with an engineering background, I would like to warn you that if you had this part made of a heavier metal, it may throw the whole design out of balance and in the long term, cause other problems and break other components down the line. IMHO, titanium is the only option for a long term, permanent and perfect OEM+ fix.

As an outsider with a coupe, it seems to me that even if you are still under warranty, and Nissan replaces your roof you are just kicking the can down the road. By the time your new roof breaks (again) you will be out of warranty.

P.S. The original part looks like it's (die?)cast aluminum to me. There is no way to weld broken cast aluminum together and expect it to have anywhere close to the original tensile strength it originally had. Remember, the fracture happened there for a reason, as the fault line of the fracture represents the highest stress points in the part. Now you are putting a much weaker weld in the fault line, the same fault line that represents that highest stress datum along the part and expect it to hold. Any weld or repair to it will be useless and the weld will be ripped apart almost instantly as soon as the same stress forces are applied. It will just be a waste of your money in both welding it and the cost of labour to remove and reinstall it. The weld will be MUCH weaker than the original unbroken piece and even that still broke with the high stresses it has to endure.

My 2010 Roadster's top is broken as well.... Since it is out of warranty, Nissan refused to replace it even though I do not drive the car often (11 years and only 17,000 miles). I gave up on contacting Nissan since they always give me the run around.
My heart is also broken because the car is worthless without a working top. I will try to trouble shoot to see what's wrong and will attempt to fix it myself sometime next week or so.

Let us know how it works out. I also have a 2010 ZR with just less than 18K miles...

For sure Gr8-WRX... Since you are also in Nor Cal, once I get mine trouble shoot, I can probably help you out as well.

my own experience 16 months ago... both sides broke...

http://www.the370z.com/3934770-post128.html

http://www.the370z.com/3935034-post129.html

Sigh, proof that once again the only permanent solution is to 3D scan and fabricate out of titanium.

you can consider that... however, the size and shape of that piece of metal is big, it looks like a small piece but in fact it extends all the way to the back of the side window, PLUS, it's very hard to remove from the top assembly.


the cost and work on removing the top is straight forward, but to remove the particular part is quite some work.

And to find a shop that can 3D print or fabricate to the same spec is possible but who knows how much work and the cost.

And to put it back together and make sure it works flawlessly is another challenge.

the whole process could take up to more than a month without firmly knowing it will work or not.

with so many unknown, thus I bought a used top for 3k and just do a simple swap.

Ya, but then the same part in your used top will eventually break again...

It would cost less to custom fab the parts and have a permanent solution.

surely, can find a shop that can do that remove the top and the part, and then find another machine shop who can make you the part.

I am curious on how it will work out too.

No Luck Yet!
 

So I attempted to buy a few wrecked 370Z roadsters over the summer, but was unsuccessful. I really didn't do any additional investigation into fixing the top. I drove the car about 2.5K miles, on nice sunny days with the top down. Amazingly, you can drive at least 80 mph and the tonneau stays down without issue (I have the fuse pulled for the top, so the tonneau does not lock and no annoying warning buzzer).

I am hoping to spend more time and be more aggressive at finding a solution this summer.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-2020-n...QAAOSwJDhgPnKg


there you go

Hello guys,

I'm wondering if the 5th bungee kit prevents this issue or not at all ?

Thank you

Well mine broke as well on the right side
 

Hi,
The cast Iron part broke on mine just now as well. 2017 Roadster.
I am pissed.

What have others done for a solution

5 Bungy done last winter
 

I had the 5Th bungy done last winter and the frame just broke today

Ugh! That's disheartening, especially due to the vehicle's age. :shakes head:

I'm sorry to hear this.

I am having same issue with my 2016 370z. The same part broke and they dont just sell the part. I have contacted Nissan consumer affairs and they wont help me. I would never have bought this car knowing that this piece could break and it would cost $18,000 I would like to find other 370z owners with same problem and see what we can do..

I have same problem. They wont fix it. Cost is $18,000 This is crazy. We need to find others and try and go to Nissan. I would never have bought this car knowing this could happen..

I have same problem and Nissan wont do anything. Said I need a new top. $18,000 Crazy. Would never bought car knowing this could break

Well I have been calling lawyers.
Where are you located?

I also have the same problem. Another person with the same problem has contacted me and we are going to try and get this resolved. You need to contact us. 954-822-3368. Jeff

look for a used top from the eeebay or some junkyard, that's what I did when it broke couple years ago.

Really disappointed in Nissans lack of support for the Z roadster.
 

The is absolutely no excuse for Nissan not selling ANY convertible top piece part separately. Most Hydraulic and electrical repairs on the top are VERY straightforward ( I have done some) and Nissan refuses to sell ANY cylinder, hose, sensor by itself. Thankfully third parties have stepped in.

You MUST buy the whole hydraulic assembly for over 7K just by itself. In fact the Nissan service manual states in bold type that it is prohibited for a Nissan tech to disassemble any part of the Hydraulic electrical convertible top system.

For Nissan to treat mechanical parts in the same way is even more outrageous. Nissan should make available most all critical mechanical parts for the top on this car. There is no excuse. 2010-2019 Roadster production was nearly identical year to year so it would have very little inventory cost for Nissan to do so.

Well we are starting a Class Action against Nissan because of this.

Please join this page and let's rally everyone and get this class action started.

https://www.facebook.com/Nissan370ZTopClassAction

3 different bungee kits designed by Nissan to fix the convertible top issues. None work. Nissan no longer sells the frame for the 370z. IMO Nissan convertibles are junk. Not sure about the rest of the car but I’ve been hearing horror stories about frequent electrical, transmission, and engine failures on other models.

I have the same issue have you found anyone who can fabricate it ?

I agree about the top issues... Unacceptable for any car that is a late model. Overall, I think that the Z is pretty reliable, but many of us have valid concerns over the oil gallery gaskets, and for those with the 6-speed, the imminent early failure of the CSC. Fortunately, there appears to be robust replacement options out there for the inferior OEM parts.

Japanese reliability still trumps other imports. My Acura TL has had a few things go wrong with it that surprised me for a Honda-built vehicle. Even Toyota can't seem to keep things straight based on their recall history. Overall, I still would buy Japanese over Korean, European or domestic brands.

If I had done more research about the Z Roadster top problems before I made my purchase, I'd probably have bought another soft-top Miata. Alas, hindsight is 20/20, plus the topless Z is still a blast to drive, so I've learned to accept the top issue and have plans to make it a permanent convertible as soon as it fails. Resale value will sink, but it is what it is.

Sadly no new Z Roadster in My future.........
 

Indeed.... I had 11 years of trouble free use out of my roadster until this past May. It was trial by fire all at once this year with my top after a hydraulic line cracked. After a brief misdiagnosis I replaced the line and its back in operation again but I'll never have the confidence in it I did before. I have over 110k on it and its been to every corner of the US and Canada but its long haul days are over. I wouldn't want the top to fail when I'm 2,000 miles away from home.

Too bad Nissan isn't bringing a new long haul friendly roadster to market as it will force me to look elsewhere when I buy again... likely in 2023. A Miata is FAR, FAR too tiny, the Boxter is somewhat small as well. It will probably be a new BMW Z4 or the Corvette convertible. They are the only 2 seaters I know of that are large enough to be comfortable during long drives. Sadly the Jag F Type roadster is gone as well.

You're talking at least 8-12k to have this particular part 3D scanned and replicated . 2k alone just for the scanning (it's about a 80k machine that does the scanning) NISSAN HAS TO HAVE THE POWER TO REPLICATE!! They need to come off their supplier info and help us all out!! I know it's "made In china" it has a part# on it (15302160000) or its a supplier code # but it could be tracked down and sourced through nissan but they are not willing to assist..also, the part is made out of magnesium, not cast aluminum, Def not cast iron and is a pos made in china junk that clearly is an issue!! Imagine ALL the people that haven't "tuned in" to this thread that have or had the same problem. Outside of Nissan, there are only few options to fix this. 1. Buy a used top (4-5k) and pray it doesn't happen again (it will eventually) 2. Try locating a salvage top and have them pull the specific part (not an easy part to get to) 3. Have part made out of titanium (very costly but could be a permanent fix also titanium is a very difficult metal to mold and shape, very sticky) or 4. They do make a hard top convertible for around $2500 but its 40lbs and not something you can "take" with you on trips.. www.smoothline.com) 5. Try to find a welder (with vast experience and knowledge of how to work with magnesium filler) to weld part together, but that will only be a temporary fix to the ridiculous and poorly over engineering issue that ultimately should lie in the hands of NISSAN to fix or come up with the replacement part and/or solution to!! Nissan needs to be sued imo. Join the class action listed in this thread!! Together, we are more powerful than 1 person! Together maybe we could all combine efforts and $ to having this part made! I'm open for suggestions and can be reached anytime @ 619.240.6191 Matty .. all the best guys! 👍🏻

Convertible Top
 

Thank you for the summary of options to date! I have a 2017 and my top just broke last weekend. Can anyone provide any updates as to the class action lawsuit or other options that have not been discussed here?

Look for a used one from eeebay or Junkyard, that's the best option to go with.

I know, old thread. Well sadly its my turn. Both of mine broke today. Has anyone had any luck with welding these back?

@Brueggy4

Did you ever get yours fixed?

My dealer said they can't even get the kit anymore, not that I would pay the $15k or whatever for one. They are asking around town for advise on a repair.

The best I've heard so far is cut the end of the "hinge" off, fabricate a replacement plate and bolt it on. Not sure if thats doable with the top still on the car. There's room but not a lot, to work in.

I have repaired my roof. It was broken at the rear linkage on the cast peice. Both sides.