TOP Tearing issue
 

I don't know if this has happened to any other roadster user but a few months back I noticed a strange protrusion where the roof folds near the rear windshield on both sides of the car. I noticed it because I saw a bit of color fade there but I didn't really mind it much I figured it was just regular wear. The problem got worst as time went on and it developed into a small tear on both sides of the car. I've had the car since December and I do put the top down and up daily but having the material wear like that so fast is a bit unusual I think. I believe the bulge that caused the advance wearing was a bundle of wires in a ribbed casing. Well I took it to the dealer and they are replacing the top. I just wanted to let everyone know the issue so you guys can keep an eye out for the problem. The service person said that the new roof material should be in this Thursday. While typing this I realize that I should have taken some pic to show what I was talking about so I will post some tomorrow after I take them.

Thanks for the info! Keep us updated on the status of it all! Good luck with the fix!

Any pics of the area of wear and what's causing it?

Thanks ZU for the info, I'll definately take a closer look at mine -- looking forward to your pictures.

:facepalm: Nissan, come on now. Jesus :facepalm:

TOP Tearing issue
 

Yikes!...this is a bit scary, as I just took delivery of my roadster on 6/7. Sure hope this is just a fluke, and that victim Z_U_Later's resolution is quick and painless.

Ok guys here are some pics. The driver side is worse than passenger.

Sorry to hear this and its great that the Dealer's doing the right thing.

Almost looks like something on the rear support frame was "punching" thru the top. Will be interesting to hear if you get a RFP (Reason for Problem) from the dealer.....

You roadster owners should consider trying to pad that area a bit. Not sure if that's feasible but it's worth avoiding the issue if at all possible.

Ouch.

Guaranteed hole is going to be there in no time.

Can U post a photo with a wider angled view to show exactly which part of the roof is in that pic. So far my ZR is new but if I can identify which support system is causing this then I'll put some cushion pads on it!

This would really help. I looked at the pictures yesterday and am not quite sure where the bad spot is. Did the dealer give you any idea if they had heard of others with this problem?

How long have you had your roadster? I did noticed some indentations on both sides of the cloth roof but I have had the car for just a little under 3 weeks now. Will pay closer attention as time goes on, thanks for the head up.

Just some observations from another ZR owner.....

- Pretty close inspection of my top shows nothing pushing from the inside support structure that would make THAT kind of a tear in the roof -- almost appears that some padding has either failed or wasn't installed?

- At least on my ZR, there is no access to the frame to add any additional padding as there is an additional layer of internal material that would prohibits/deters access to the rag top support frame

- Spending as much as I did for this car (WHICH OBTW I LOVE) I wouldn't even consider trying to fix it myself -- I would demand NISSAN fix it which sounds like ZU LAter did AND Nissan is in the process of making good.

My $.02......

Steve

Here are some wide angle shots. I hope that helps

You are right it has gotten worse in the past few weeks.

I got my roadster in December so it is only 7 months old. The indentions are creases caused when the top folds down and if you keep the top down long enough the creases are more pronounce.

No the CSR said that this was the first time she had seen this. The story gets better though, I saw in on a Sat. and she said that she would order me a new top and it would be in on Thur. I called on Thur. and the CSR said that the top was on backorder and that since it was not a safety issue, it was low priority. That was last week I'll call again this Thur. to remind them but I'm sure by the time they get the new top in the hole will be much bigger.

Thanks Z U for posting those new pics. Odd that they occur at that particular spot . I had guess it had occured further up near the obvious protruberances> I hope it is not an inherent design flaw of this roadster top. I would push the CSR saying that it is a vital piece of protection preventing water damage to the head liner or worse into the interior of the car.
I did read somewhere that the top mechanism of this 370ZR was designed and ?produced by Magna which is a well known Canadian firm so I am surprised at this and obviously disappointed. I will keep a close eye on my roadster top for sure.

Thanks for posting the new pictures. Now I'll have a much better idea what to look for on mine the next time I put it up.

Top tearing issue
 

My roadster is just three weeks old now, and I can already see signs of this issue (nothing really serious yet, but noticable signs of Z_U_Later's described problem (indentations on both sides, and some discoloration/wear on the driver's side (where the fabric fits a bit more tightly against the offending wire assembly).

I'm more than a little concerned about the image of the dealer replacing my new ZR's top. Anxious to hear about Z_U_Later's experience with his top replacement, as I am from any other forum member who might shed light on this problem.

How did it go Z_U? And, what did they have to say about the origin of this problem, et al?

They didn't say what the exact cause was but I did notice that the bulge of wires were no longer visible. I suspect that they move it to avoid any further damage. But here is an up date on the repair of my top. I called in last Friday to get a better ETA on when the top would be in and the CSR informed me that the part would not be in till the 25th of July but thats when it comes into the dealership. I guessing I may not get a new top till August, all the while the whole on the driver side is getting bigger and the one on the passenger side is getting worse.

I seem to be seeing this same issue on my Roadster. Only had it for 3 weeks.

K

Had my roadster since the end of December. I've noticed some discoloration in the same area on my roadster. Definitely noticeable on the driver's side. Not actual tearing, but the fabric is definitely a bit more stressed that the rest of the top. I thought it was a stain, but now I'll keep a closer eye on it.

Another reason why I'd never buy a convertible :wtf2:

How is that hatch opening for ya??? Having to press the button twice yet??? Don't worry you will...

The first year foibles. I am sure that Nissan will fix things They certainly took care of all my issues with my 03 350Z Track Edition. (except that they never did get the hatch working right with the 350Z either)

My hatch has been fine so far, we'll see if Nissan will even recognize the problem first. And about the stuck hatch issue, Nissan has not said anything about it which is why most dealers won't even fix it without some $$. Lucky some of our smarter members figured out that switching the springs to a different part # fixes the problem 100%.

:gtfo2:


j/k ;)

back on topic.

Actually there is a TSB out for the springs. And the other trick for fixing the spring issue I originally posted so people with the 370Z could see what had already been done with the 350Z and its sticky hatch.

when this thread gets to 40 plus posts please feel free to come back and tell us how bad convertibles are...

Until then, unless you have something constructive to add to the conversation. :gtfo2:

Harsh, maybe but I hate thread jackers and this site needs a bit more jacker control.

I'm not "jacking" any thread, you could have it by all means. But if my convertable top was tearing on a brand new sports car, I'd be alil more pissed off then some of y'all seem. And ya U telling me to "gtfo" def was not needed especally since I more than contribute in many, many threads in this "open" forum. Have fun with your convertible, it's cute ;)

I don't see much sense in being pissed off. Now if Nissan does not fix the issue then there will be a reason to be pissed off.

Till we hear from Z _U_Later on how Nissan handles the replacement I will just bide my time. If my top gets worse I will then take it in.

Till then I will be :driving:

"Cute" LOL

ok man sry for coming across alil "harsh", I hope everything works out for you with the top issue, :tup:

I thought I give everyone an update on my repairs. I got a call a few weeks ago and was told that my top was in early. When I got to the dealership the service rep. told me that the Nissan rep saw my post and made sure I got a new top asap she even said he hand delivered it to the dealership. I have to give Nissan props for that. Now for the not so good news, apparently the dealership contracts the top installation to a third party, whats more concerning is that according to the service rep mine is the first 370 roadster they have ever worked on. Well when I got the car back last week I was not impressed with the work and their inexperience with the new design shows. The molding on the right side is crooked, the seem in the rear were not tucked away and was exposed, and finally the front was not pulled tight and is loose in the center front. I'll take some picks and post it tomorrow. I understand that the dealership did not have the ability to install the top but they should have had some quality control. I Pointed all this out to my service rep when I picked it up last week but she told me to take it home and drive it around for a few days and operate the top after 5 or 6 days and see if the issues would clear up. Well I put the top up and down several times but the 3 issue I mentioned are still visible. I called my service rep today and told her I was going to drop off the car tomorrow after work and have them resolve those 3 issue. Hopefully they will fix everything but this is beginning to bug me. I'll update the post when I get the car back.

I hope they get it straightened out for you. I also hope it doesn't come to that with mine ... or at least some other folks in my area get the repair first so the installers get some experience ;)

first of all-I am very sorry to hear of your troubles with the top. When i got my roadster, the salesman told me to purchase a product called Raggtop to help protect the fabric-even though the car was was brand new. Water was beading on it without any prob-but I did follow his advice. I think your top had more of a mechanical strain on it-did the water bead on it when you first got it?

Yes water was beading. The discoloration was due to something pushing against the top.

I also have some discoloration of the top in the same spot. No tearing - yet. I will keep an eye on mine as well and update everyone if I start to see the same issue....

TalismanIII

It's "beginning to bug you?" You must be a saint. They'd have me in a straitjacket by now. My previously-reported "top bulge" (now seemingly fixed, but with some remnant stretch marks) nearly did me in; let alone your horrendous experience. BTW - not sure I understand why your Nissan dealer couldn't do the top replacement themselves, as my dealer told me that they've done two 370ZR top replacements, and that "while it takes some time, it's not a big deal."

I have a small indentation & some discoloration in the area of your tear, and my ZR is just 5 weeks old now; so I'm very interested in your resolution. Best wishes for a good outcome, and please keep us informed.