Great problem with soft top mecanism

[Orni]

Hello everyone,

I'm in trouble with the soft top mecanism.

A fastener is split and the garage indicates to me that is not sold in spare part.

It should therefore according to them to order the enterly of the soft top (frame, parts, .... spare part number 970031ET0B ).

The estimate is ASTRONOMIC.... 15300 € . I cannot understand that it's impossible the change just a mechanical part.

I'm looking for all the solutions and advice.

My night isn't going to be serene

[ZontheRocks]

I tried looking for a breakdown of the roadster top, but that is proving to be difficult. None of my usual go-to's (RockAuto, NissanParts, etc.) show a breakdown of the top mechanism (they don;t even have it listed).

Google search points me to the same unanswered direction.

Is it a part that looks like it can be unbolted/bolted? Is there a possibility of finding another Z roadster at a junkyard and swapping the broken piece?

[Orni]

Thanks a lot for supporting my Nissan breakdown ☺

Unfortunatly I've found the same results than you on Google. Even searching in Japan .

I didn't saw my car because it still at the garage. I take it home this Wednesday morning.

It seems good idea to see at a junkyard but there no many roadster in France.

I thought to find a good garage to rebuilt the part because effectively I think it's bolted.

[gbhrps]

Orni,

I feel your pain. Nissan does not sell many of the individual metal parts for the top. The same goes for the hydraulic rams and the wiring. Basically there are so few convertible Z's sold, that I believe they feel that their service techs may never gain enough experience working on one to be able to tackle a repair.

Instead their solution is to sell a complete top assembly, something their techs can handle without having to spend hours tracing down solutions only to find the repair bill is too high, and even then not have fixed the top. So, one large price ... and its a guaranteed repair because everything gets replaced.

But there is a solution. Find a wrecked roadster and buy the pieces you need, .... or ... locate a machine shop tech who can make you a replacement part. Show him the car, the part to be replaced/repaired, and wait for him to make a new part or repair yours. The part should be easily removed with the top part way open. Usually a nut/bolt needs removing at the end of the shaft the part sits on, or its a spring washer that locks into a slot on the shaft. Pry the washer out of its slot and slide the part off the shaft. (At present I'm away from my car and the factory workshop manual, or I could give you a more precise answer on the removal and replace steps needed.)

It may take some time for you to find someone who can do the work for you, but a convertible repair place (not a Nissan dealer) can remove the part, and maybe steer you to someone who can make a new one or repair the old one.

Even if it costs you $800, you will be much farther ahead than the price you've been quoted. If it were my car ... this is the route I'd go. Good Luck!

Gene

[Erob]

See if you could locate a welder to repair the break. Not sure if it could be done on the car, if so, do it.

[NoseRider]

I have the same problem. It's out of warranty and the dealer told me it would cost $20,000 to repair. The roof is $18k by itself. I went to Nissan Customer service and asked them to find someone to pick the part out of the assembly line. Their response? "Congratulations! Nissan will pay 50% of the repair." Geez, thanks! So it will only cost me $10k to replace a 4x4 metal bracket! No thanks.

I figure if I replace it for with a junker part, it's just going to break again. So, I'm gonna find me a machine shop to build me 2 brackets out of stainless and replace both side brackets myself.

[gbhrps]

NoseRider,

I agree with your solution, but I'm not certain stainless steel is necessary, but whatever works for you.

Its exactly what I'd do in your position. It might take a while to locate someone capable of doing the work, but it'll be MUCH cheaper than going the subie repair route of a complete replacement top assembly. Good Luck!

[Orni]

Hi everyone,

Tanks a lot for all supporting.

I open the cover yesterday and the broken part is in aluminium.

For the moment, I didn't found a garage to take off to cover in order to fix the broken part. They agree to fix it if I takes off the cover

I totally agree with all of you....on a 370 convertible, Nissan dealers don't care of repair parts...customers are just have to pay the maximum

[NoseRider]

Orni,

When my top is closing, the rear of top snaps closed with such force that I am convinced it had something to do with my bracket breaking.
Here's a short clip of it:
https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/...YxANG4RAkhi4Ji

Does anyone know a fix?

If your top moves like mine, you'll probably want to correct it so this doesn't happen again.
20180223_111229.jpg

[gbhrps]

Orni,

To get your top material (the inner headliner cloth and the outer convertible top) is not a job for a first timer, and is quite involved. You'll need a convertible top specialist shop to remove it without doing the materials any damage.

I've been working on cars for over 50 years, fixed many convertible top systems, and I will do my own top if it becomes necessary some day ... but it even intimidates me somewhat because its so intricate, and I have the complete Factory Service Manual for the car to follow.

You are getting good advice from your guy who says he'll tackle the job if you get the top material off the frame. It will make it so much easier to repair your issue this way. He's on target and I would follow his advice.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Gene

NoseRider,

Watched your video. WOW!! That slams down waaaay too hard. I suspect (but don't know for sure) that your 5th bow bungee cords have broken/disconnected/stretched beyond their ability to slow the ram pushing the bow down. It is possible that the top computer is overpowering the the rams on that 5th bow.

I'd suggest fixing your bracket problem first, and then have Nissan put their Consult (fancy laptop that checks systems and resets them) on the car and check out the top electrics and hydraulics after you check out the 5th bow bungee cords to see if they are up to snuff.

Yeah it'll be some money, but still less than a whole new top assembly.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Gene

[NoseRider]

gbhrps,
Thanks! I'll check it out.

Orni,
Good luck!

[Orni]

Originally Posted by gbhrps

Orni,

To get your top material (the inner headliner cloth and the outer convertible top) is not a job for a first timer, and is quite involved. You'll need a convertible top specialist shop to remove it without doing the materials any damage.

I've been working on cars for over 50 years, fixed many convertible top systems, and I will do my own top if it becomes necessary some day ... but it even intimidates me somewhat because its so intricate, and I have the complete Factory Service Manual for the car to follow.

You are getting good advice from your guy who says he'll tackle the job if you get the top material off the frame. It will make it so much easier to repair your issue this way. He's on target and I would follow his advice.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Gene

I've printed the Factory Service Manual to check how take off the top convertible. It's not urgent I'll take all my time to do that.

What is the most difficult part in this work ?

[Orni]

Originally Posted by NoseRider

Orni,
Good luck!

Ohhhhh yes

[gbhrps]

Orni,

The most difficult parts to removing the top cloth, and either replacing it with a new top material, or putting the old one on, after a repair to the convertible top mechanism? ............

I'd say its trying to follow the steps outlined in the factory service manual. They use drawings rather than photos in the manual, which are so hard to orientate which direction the drawing is showing and just exactly where on the mechanism this drawing is supposed to show. Sure they have a Big arrow pointing to the front of the car, but even then its confusing as to which side of the car are they showing you, in some of the diagrams.

Add to that, drilling out those pop rivets, unless you've done that before on some device or another, a first timer is going to be scratching their heads as to how its to be done.

Removing those side cables from the old top material, in order to put them in the new top, and how to route them through it??? Again really a puzzler until you've done it a time or two. Maybe (if you're reusing the same top material) you should attach a cord to the cable before pulling it out, and then leave the cable in the top, so when you install the cable again you can attach the cable to the cord, and use the cord to pull the cable back into place (the process used when replacing turn signal wiring harnesses through the internals of a steering column).

I guess what I'm trying to get across is that the entire process requires a great deal of looking back and forth at the actual top and the RF pdf section of the service manual, and being certain as to how to proceed with just that one step ... and then getting it right .... before you commit and actually do it.

It isn't hard work, its just very confusing and fussy, and requires someone with a lot of patience and detail. Tackling a top replacement , one this intricate, and getting a professional looking result without doing any damage to the material, is going to take some expertise.

Anyone can do a brake job watching a few YouTube videos, but not everyone is cut out to replace a 370Z top.

That said ... there is a very good top replacement video on YouTube on a 350Z roadster, about 25 minutes long. While some of the procedures are the same, the 370Z has even more twists in store. It'd sure would be a good place to start before tackling the 370Z.

Gene

[alcheng]

Originally Posted by NoseRider

Orni,

When my top is closing, the rear of top snaps closed with such force that I am convinced it had something to do with my bracket breaking.
Here's a short clip of it:
https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/...YxANG4RAkhi4Ji

Does anyone know a fix?

If your top moves like mine, you'll probably want to correct it so this doesn't happen again.
Attachment 128920

I know it's been couple years, just curious what happened at the end?