Nissan 370Z Forum  

Hello roadster owners, hope I can help you a with malfunctioning convertible tops

Hi folks, this place seems the best one to introduce myself, as my contributions will be limited to convertible top problems, malfunctions, and repairs. Some forum members have mentioned me

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Other 370Z Models > Nissan 370Z Roadster (Convertible)


Like Tree29Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-09-2016, 02:33 PM   #1 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Beautiful Oregon Coast
Posts: 18
Drives: Roadsters and Verts
Rep Power: 696
TopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond repute
Default Hello roadster owners, hope I can help you a with malfunctioning convertible tops

Hi folks,

this place seems the best one to introduce myself, as my contributions will be limited to convertible top problems, malfunctions, and repairs. Some forum members have mentioned me (Klaus) or my company (Top Hydraulics, Inc) on this forum, so it's about time that I became active here. I know a lot about the hydraulic system in the 370Z, and hope to share some of that knowledge with you folks. The ultimate goal is to enable most 370Z owners to diagnose and repair their malfunctioning tops. That's a tall order, but it is possible with the help of fellow roadster owners who document their efforts, and I hope there will be lots of contributions, so that we can all create some good DIYs together.

I am a vendor, I don't own a Z, and I have worked only on a couple that folks in my area asked me to check out. We don't normally work on cars, as we are a mail order business - I simply couldn't resist the opportunity to check out the 370Z top system in person when those folks asked for help. I have just signed up for corporate sponsorship of this forum, which allows me to create technical posts with reference to my company's products and services.

The roadster top is activated and latched/unlatched by a hydraulic pump and eight hydraulic cylinders, connected by hydraulic lines (hoses). It is an elegant system, comparable to those in other high end convertibles with automatic tops. We work on the hydraulics of over 30 brands of convertibles, and none of them are bullet proof. The components in the 370Z convertible top hydraulic system can fail, of course, just like they do in any other brand.

The big issue is that Nissan does not sell the components as replacement parts, only the whole system. That's crazy, and it is extremely expensive for roadster owners once there is a problem. Don't feel bad - the same is the case for many other brands. That's where Top Hydraulics comes in: we rebuild cylinders, we manufacture new hydraulic hoses, we rebuild pumps, and we can offer core exchange (we send parts from our inventory first, then you send back your original parts for core credit). This will literally save you thousands of Dollars once you have a hydraulic problem with the top.

The best part is that we make the parts better than brand new ones, because we eliminate the weak spots. No kidding.

The more information is shared on this forum, the better, because the knowledge that malfunctioning convertible tops can be repaired at relatively low cost, will keep the resale value of 370Z roadsters a lot higher than it would be if everyone had to dish out some $10k once the hydraulics spring a leak.

Enough said for an intro, I will start responding to some recent convertible top posts soon. I don't have all the answers when it comes to troubleshooting the tops, but I know the hydraulic part of the system very well, and will do my best to help.

Here are some links to the 370Z section on our website:
Rebuild/Upgrade Service for 2009+ Nissan 350z Convertible Hydraulic Components - Top Hydraulics, Inc
Nissan 370Z Hydraulic Component Locations - Top Hydraulics, Inc

Klaus

klaus@tophydraulicsinc.com
Top Hydraulics | Rebuilt and Upgraded Convertible Top Cylinders, Pumps, Hydraulic Lines - Top Hydraulics, Inc
541-902-3214

JARblue, gr8-wrx, Bummer and 12 others like this.
TopHydraulics is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2016, 06:14 AM   #2 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: DC Area
Posts: 31
Drives: 10 Nissan 350ZR Bk M
Rep Power: 9
Z-Car-Marine is on a distinguished road
Default

Thank you Klaus. I'm sure your input will be greatly appreciated by all the Roadster owners. My only issue thus far is my Top hits during opening. I have adjusted each side as recommended but it still hits. It closes and opens fine otherwise.
Z-Car-Marine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2016, 07:00 AM   #3 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: St John's Newfoundland
Posts: 14
Drives: 10 370ZRoad Black M6
Rep Power: 9
KenB is on a distinguished road
Thumbs up

Thank you Klaus for becoming active in this group. I have had one scare with the harness wiring but nothing on the hydraulics, yet! It's nice to know that there are alternatives to the extremely over priced NISSAN solutions that I have been reading about. I was seriously considering selling my 2010 Z but with the help of this group and knowing that there are folks like you around, I have decided to continue to enjoy my wheels and spend less time worrying. Good luck with your business and may you be there when we need you! Cheers.
OldGuyFla likes this.
KenB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2016, 08:16 AM   #4 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
JARblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Austin, TX
Age: 43
Posts: 36,449
Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3
Rep Power: 2684440
JARblue has a reputation beyond reputeJARblue has a reputation beyond reputeJARblue has a reputation beyond reputeJARblue has a reputation beyond reputeJARblue has a reputation beyond reputeJARblue has a reputation beyond reputeJARblue has a reputation beyond reputeJARblue has a reputation beyond reputeJARblue has a reputation beyond reputeJARblue has a reputation beyond reputeJARblue has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I don't even have a roadster, but this thread and the OP deserve a rep

Welcome to the forum, Klaus
__________________

2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic | ARC | CJM | Ecutek | FI | Fujimura | R2C | SPL | Stillen | TWM | Z1 | ZSpeed |
JARblue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2016, 12:14 PM   #5 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NB Canada
Posts: 19
Drives: 10 370z roadster
Rep Power: 9
chad.mcvay350 is on a distinguished road
Default

He has been helping me with mine! I tucked it away for winter, but will have it back out soon, and anything I do i will be sure to report it here.
chad.mcvay350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2016, 07:59 AM   #6 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Beautiful Oregon Coast
Posts: 18
Drives: Roadsters and Verts
Rep Power: 696
TopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond reputeTopHydraulics has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by chad.mcvay350 View Post
He has been helping me with mine! I tucked it away for winter, but will have it back out soon, and anything I do i will be sure to report it here.
Hello Chad, nice to see you coming out of hibernation up in New Brunswick! Hope we can get to the bottom of the electrical issue in your 370Z's roadster top pretty quickly once you are ready to work on it. Next step is checking continuity on the wires going to the travel sensors, if I recall correctly. We probably should continue that discussion on the thread you originally started: 370z roof won't move warning light on

Klaus
__________________
Top Hydraulics, Inc -- Upgrading/rebuilding convertible top hydraulic cylinders and pumps for Nissan 370Z roadsters and over 30 other brands. Manufacturing new, superior hydraulic hoses for convertible tops.

http://www.tophydraulicsinc.com/en/73-nissan-370z-09-13
TopHydraulics is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2016, 08:25 AM   #7 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Calgary
Posts: 61
Drives: 2014 PW Roadster AT
Rep Power: 13
Sly Nic is on a distinguished road
Default

Nice to see you here, Klaus. Welcome!

As a roadster owner (2014), the thought of something going wrong with my top scares the heck out of me. My warranty expires in a year and I don't see a lot of benefit in extending the warranty just for the top.

It is very reassuring to know that you and your company offers solutions outside of expensive system replacement.

I love my roadster!
__________________
2014 Roadster - pearl white with frost leather and black top. Hood struts, tinted glass, HR spacers (20mm front/25mm back), blacked emblems, blue LED lights.
Sly Nic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2016, 10:34 AM   #8 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NB Canada
Posts: 19
Drives: 10 370z roadster
Rep Power: 9
chad.mcvay350 is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TopHydraulics View Post
Hello Chad, nice to see you coming out of hibernation up in New Brunswick! Hope we can get to the bottom of the electrical issue in your 370Z's roadster top pretty quickly once you are ready to work on it. Next step is checking continuity on the wires going to the travel sensors, if I recall correctly. We probably should continue that discussion on the thread you originally started: 370z roof won't move warning light on

Klaus
I should have it out next week, #1 I bought a new battery to see if that does anything, I will take photos and post them if I can figure out how to put them on here.
chad.mcvay350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2016, 11:45 PM   #9 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Tracy CA
Posts: 35
Drives: 2010 370z Roadster
Rep Power: 9
RoadsterFun is on a distinguished road
Default

Glad you're on this, and hope I don't need your services, but am glad they are available if needed!
RoadsterFun is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2016, 03:09 PM   #10 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 148
Drives: 2010 370Z Roadster
Rep Power: 9
GOBLUE is on a distinguished road
Default

Welcome to the site! I agree with everyone above. No problems with my top at the moment, but it is nice to know you are here if one arises! I have been nervous about the thought of having to replace the whole assembly for $10K! If I do run into any issues, I'll be sure to post on the forum. For now, I'm just enjoying the ride!
__________________
2010 370Z Roadster, Touring 6MT, Pearl White on Black, FI CBE
GOBLUE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2016, 02:00 PM   #11 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
Bshields22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Anaheim, CA
Posts: 422
Drives: 2012 Black 370Z-R
Rep Power: 697
Bshields22 has a reputation beyond reputeBshields22 has a reputation beyond reputeBshields22 has a reputation beyond reputeBshields22 has a reputation beyond reputeBshields22 has a reputation beyond reputeBshields22 has a reputation beyond reputeBshields22 has a reputation beyond reputeBshields22 has a reputation beyond reputeBshields22 has a reputation beyond reputeBshields22 has a reputation beyond reputeBshields22 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Klaus,

You da man! I hope we never have to meet but if we do, it sounds like I'll be in good hands with you

Thanks for the post
Duster likes this.
__________________
308 rwhp | 252 rwtq | Fast Intentions CBE 18" Res | Stillen Gen 3 CAI | EcuTek Tune | Stoptech Slotted Rotors and Sport Pads | KW V3 Coilovers | SPL Upper Control Arms & Lower Rear Arms | Seibon CF TS Hood | Vossen CVT | SPC Toe bolts
Bshields22 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2016, 08:56 PM   #12 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Cordova
Posts: 10
Drives: 2010 370z
Rep Power: 11
doliv1 is on a distinguished road
Default

Hi my name is Daryl i have a 2010 that has been giving me the blues. It has been in the shop every year I've owned it. I purchased the car from car-max 09-13. The max care warranty has been good but the Nissan dealership that's been repairing the car hasn't been able to fix it.. I love my car but i hate the the problems with my top!!!!!!!the Tech confessed that they're going to sub the repairs to another shop not a dealer a shop that repairs convertibles tops.... Bad Bad Bad Ideal!!!!!! after replacing the pumps the canvas I'm still left with such disappointment!!!!!
doliv1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2016, 12:40 PM   #13 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
OldGuyFla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Indian Lake Estates Fl
Posts: 1,049
Drives: 14 370Z TS Roadster
Rep Power: 19127
OldGuyFla has a reputation beyond reputeOldGuyFla has a reputation beyond reputeOldGuyFla has a reputation beyond reputeOldGuyFla has a reputation beyond reputeOldGuyFla has a reputation beyond reputeOldGuyFla has a reputation beyond reputeOldGuyFla has a reputation beyond reputeOldGuyFla has a reputation beyond reputeOldGuyFla has a reputation beyond reputeOldGuyFla has a reputation beyond reputeOldGuyFla has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by doliv1 View Post
Hi my name is Daryl i have a 2010 that has been giving me the blues. It has been in the shop every year I've owned it. I purchased the car from car-max 09-13. The max care warranty has been good but the Nissan dealership that's been repairing the car hasn't been able to fix it.. I love my car but i hate the the problems with my top!!!!!!!the Tech confessed that they're going to sub the repairs to another shop not a dealer a shop that repairs convertibles tops.... Bad Bad Bad Ideal!!!!!! after replacing the pumps the canvas I'm still left with such disappointment!!!!!
I would think that probably handing off the repairs to a shop that knows what they are doing would be a good solution as long as it is still covered under warranty.
OldGuyFla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2016, 07:22 AM   #14 (permalink)
Track Member
 
gr8-wrx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 607
Drives: 10 370z Roadster 7AT
Rep Power: 14
gr8-wrx is on a distinguished road
Default

Klaus, do you have any of the trim pieces? On my ZR, the upper part of the rubber trim piece that the side window touches became a little pinched, so it wore through a bit.

Edit: I did a quick search on courtesy parts and it looks like the weatherstrip is part number 76861-1ET0A for the driver side. Does anyone know if this is correct and how easy is this to replace myself? Thanks
__________________
Me: 2022 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Double-Cab SB, 2023 Toyota Corolla
Wifey: 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD
Weekends: 2010 Nissan 370z Roadster

Last edited by gr8-wrx; 05-19-2016 at 09:35 AM. Reason: Part number?
gr8-wrx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2016, 06:11 PM   #15 (permalink)
Track Member
 
gr8-wrx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 607
Drives: 10 370z Roadster 7AT
Rep Power: 14
gr8-wrx is on a distinguished road
Default

Here are some pics. Sorry I guess this isn't technically a top issue, but the part seems specific to our roadsters so if anyone has any ideas, please let me know.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (319.1 KB, 65 views)
__________________
Me: 2022 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Double-Cab SB, 2023 Toyota Corolla
Wifey: 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD
Weekends: 2010 Nissan 370z Roadster
gr8-wrx is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bose amp wiring loom 370z Roadster / Convertible bon370z Audio & Video 0 03-05-2016 09:23 AM
370z Roadster Convertible top issue shfbennett 370Z Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) / Recalls 1 07-07-2014 01:24 PM
370Z For Sale 2011 Nissan 370Z Roadster Touring Convertible doublehump 370Z For Sale 0 02-25-2013 09:29 PM
[FOR SALE] 370z roadster convertible top red SmokeyJohn102 Parts for sale (Private Classifieds) 3 08-02-2012 11:12 AM
1st Z Roadster (3rd convertible) GBPackerFan New Roadster 370Z Owner 5 07-13-2012 12:31 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:04 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2