Trouble Free Tops??

Bshields22 · 09-30-2015, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alcheng

if the top got stuck half way, i bet you should be able to (not manually) reverse it back to its originally position, but if you cannot do that, you really stuck, i pretty sure you can "press" the top back into the compartment.

otherwise, you can manually open and close it, but it's a 2 person procedure.

Oh good to know! Thank you!

GOBLUE · 10-04-2015, 12:00 PM

I bought a 2010 roadster in February this year, and so far no major issues with the top. I have a few squeaks and rattles, but nothing major. I was also very concerned about convertible top issues when I first got the car because the system is so complex. I figure it would be very expensive to fix any issues. Well I've enjoyed the car all summer, putting the top down probably 5-10 times per week, and everything is working fine. I always store the top up whether it is in the garage and a parking lot. I do this to keep the dust down on the interior, prevent the interior trim parts from fading in the sun over time, and also prevent creasing and wear on the canvas top from being folded.

The car now has 15,000 miles on it (11,500 when I bought it), and the top is working fine. So there are good ones out there, don't worry!

I few maintenance items I've come across to help extend the life... I used 303 Fabric Guard back in July and it does a great job of waterproofing the top and acts as a UV protectant as well. This will help with the life of the canvas material and the seams/stitching. I also lubricated all moving hinge points in the mechanism with lithium grease, and put silicon spray on all rubber seals. This will keep the mechanism moving smoothly and should reduce stress on the hydraulic system. You'll need some patience for this as there are probably 50 hinge points and you want to prevent the lithium grease from getting on any fabric, rubber, or paint surface. It wipes up pretty easy though.

Hopefully with some routine maintenance every year, I can prolong the life of the top and enjoy it for years to come! I only have another month before I'll store it for winter.

Enjoy your roadster!

Bshields22 · 10-05-2015, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOBLUE

I bought a 2010 roadster in February this year, and so far no major issues with the top. I have a few squeaks and rattles, but nothing major. I was also very concerned about convertible top issues when I first got the car because the system is so complex. I figure it would be very expensive to fix any issues. Well I've enjoyed the car all summer, putting the top down probably 5-10 times per week, and everything is working fine. I always store the top up whether it is in the garage and a parking lot. I do this to keep the dust down on the interior, prevent the interior trim parts from fading in the sun over time, and also prevent creasing and wear on the canvas top from being folded.

The car now has 15,000 miles on it (11,500 when I bought it), and the top is working fine. So there are good ones out there, don't worry!

I few maintenance items I've come across to help extend the life... I used 303 Fabric Guard back in July and it does a great job of waterproofing the top and acts as a UV protectant as well. This will help with the life of the canvas material and the seams/stitching. I also lubricated all moving hinge points in the mechanism with lithium grease, and put silicon spray on all rubber seals. This will keep the mechanism moving smoothly and should reduce stress on the hydraulic system. You'll need some patience for this as there are probably 50 hinge points and you want to prevent the lithium grease from getting on any fabric, rubber, or paint surface. It wipes up pretty easy though.

Hopefully with some routine maintenance every year, I can prolong the life of the top and enjoy it for years to come! I only have another month before I'll store it for winter.

Enjoy your roadster!

Never thought of maintaining the hinges and seals myself. Can you get the lithium Grease (never heard of that) and the silicon spray at autozone? How do you work on the hinges? Is there a way to stop the top mid-cycle to get all the points lubricated?

GOBLUE · 10-06-2015, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bshields22

Never thought of maintaining the hinges and seals myself. Can you get the lithium Grease (never heard of that) and the silicon spray at autozone? How do you work on the hinges? Is there a way to stop the top mid-cycle to get all the points lubricated?

Yes, both white lithium grease and silicon spray can be bought at Autozone. You might even find it at Walmart, it's pretty common.

To work on the hinges, you'll need to open the top halfway. Just hold the switch down until halfway, then you'll have access to most hinge points. The hydraulic pressure will hold for a few minutes, then release. After it releases, the top will slowly let down. You'll just need to hold the switch to fully open the top, the close it halfway and continue. You may need to do this a few times to get to all the hinges. Also pop the trunk and you'll see some hinges for the tonneau cover there with about 5 hinge points (separate pins) per side.

This video is pretty helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEkqSLLNLRk

Hope that helps and good luck! This will keep your top running smooth.

alcheng · 10-06-2015, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOBLUE

Yes, both white lithium grease and silicon spray can be bought at Autozone. You might even find it at Walmart, it's pretty common.

To work on the hinges, you'll need to open the top halfway. Just hold the switch down until halfway, then you'll have access to most hinge points. The hydraulic pressure will hold for a few minutes, then release. After it releases, the top will slowly let down. You'll just need to hold the switch to fully open the top, the close it halfway and continue. You may need to do this a few times to get to all the hinges. Also pop the trunk and you'll see some hinges for the tonneau cover there with about 5 hinge points (separate pins) per side.

This video is pretty helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEkqSLLNLRk

Hope that helps and good luck! This will keep your top running smooth.

great advice!!!

Bshields22 · 10-06-2015, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOBLUE

Yes, both white lithium grease and silicon spray can be bought at Autozone. You might even find it at Walmart, it's pretty common.

To work on the hinges, you'll need to open the top halfway. Just hold the switch down until halfway, then you'll have access to most hinge points. The hydraulic pressure will hold for a few minutes, then release. After it releases, the top will slowly let down. You'll just need to hold the switch to fully open the top, the close it halfway and continue. You may need to do this a few times to get to all the hinges. Also pop the trunk and you'll see some hinges for the tonneau cover there with about 5 hinge points (separate pins) per side.

This video is pretty helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEkqSLLNLRk

Hope that helps and good luck! This will keep your top running smooth.

You da man!

whittier · 10-14-2015, 07:16 PM

I have a 2010 of which I use as a daily driver. I have never had a problem with the top opening and closing but I do have the following issues:

- Sometimes the cover hits the back of the top when opening.
- I have small holes on the canvas top on both the right and left hand side creases, nothing major. The canvas, especially where it creases will wear out over time.

Overall I'm happy with the top, I typically put the top down daily. Also, I have been out of warranty for almost 2 years. I have had 0 problems so far with my roadster.

Bshields22 · 10-15-2015, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whittier

I have a 2010 of which I use as a daily driver. I have never had a problem with the top opening and closing but I do have the following issues:

- Sometimes the cover hits the back of the top when opening.
- I have small holes on the canvas top on both the right and left hand side creases, nothing major. The canvas, especially where it creases will wear out over time.

Overall I'm happy with the top, I typically put the top down daily. Also, I have been out of warranty for almost 2 years. I have had 0 problems so far with my roadster.

Great to know! Thank you. I wonder if the majority of top issues are coming from the 2010 and 2011 models. Since the 370Z had a few changes made for the 2012 model, I wonder if they made any top improvements?

dsmarks2002 · 10-26-2015, 12:44 PM

First 5 years were good, now with less than 30k on it nothing but trouble, electrical and now hydraulics. Nissan is saying 6k to repair, it'll be my last Nissan, guess I kept it a year too long.

littlejuanito · 12-18-2015, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmarks2002

First 5 years were good, now with less than 30k on it nothing but trouble, electrical and now hydraulics. Nissan is saying 6k to repair, it'll be my last Nissan, guess I kept it a year too long.

If the top cost this much or perhaps even more to repair, why not keep the top down and drive like that?

Obviously driving in the rain would be out of the question and carwashes and the like, but at least its better than paying so much to get it fixed.

Now, has anyone ever kept the top down due to it not working properly?

10-04-2015, 12:00 PM	#17 (permalink)
GOBLUE Base Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 148 Drives: 2010 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 10	I bought a 2010 roadster in February this year, and so far no major issues with the top. I have a few squeaks and rattles, but nothing major. I was also very concerned about convertible top issues when I first got the car because the system is so complex. I figure it would be very expensive to fix any issues. Well I've enjoyed the car all summer, putting the top down probably 5-10 times per week, and everything is working fine. I always store the top up whether it is in the garage and a parking lot. I do this to keep the dust down on the interior, prevent the interior trim parts from fading in the sun over time, and also prevent creasing and wear on the canvas top from being folded. The car now has 15,000 miles on it (11,500 when I bought it), and the top is working fine. So there are good ones out there, don't worry! I few maintenance items I've come across to help extend the life... I used 303 Fabric Guard back in July and it does a great job of waterproofing the top and acts as a UV protectant as well. This will help with the life of the canvas material and the seams/stitching. I also lubricated all moving hinge points in the mechanism with lithium grease, and put silicon spray on all rubber seals. This will keep the mechanism moving smoothly and should reduce stress on the hydraulic system. You'll need some patience for this as there are probably 50 hinge points and you want to prevent the lithium grease from getting on any fabric, rubber, or paint surface. It wipes up pretty easy though. Hopefully with some routine maintenance every year, I can prolong the life of the top and enjoy it for years to come! I only have another month before I'll store it for winter. Enjoy your roadster! alcheng likes this. __________________ 2010 370Z Roadster, Touring 6MT, Pearl White on Black, FI CBE

10-14-2015, 07:16 PM	#22 (permalink)
whittier Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Whittier Posts: 33 Drives: 2010 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 13	Just some minor issues with my top! I have a 2010 of which I use as a daily driver. I have never had a problem with the top opening and closing but I do have the following issues: - Sometimes the cover hits the back of the top when opening. - I have small holes on the canvas top on both the right and left hand side creases, nothing major. The canvas, especially where it creases will wear out over time. Overall I'm happy with the top, I typically put the top down daily. Also, I have been out of warranty for almost 2 years. I have had 0 problems so far with my roadster.

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10-26-2015, 12:44 PM	#24 (permalink)
dsmarks2002 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 23 Drives: 370zr 7AT PlatGryMet Rep Power: 14	First 5 years were good, now with less than 30k on it nothing but trouble, electrical and now hydraulics. Nissan is saying 6k to repair, it'll be my last Nissan, guess I kept it a year too long.