Nissan 370Z Forum - Storage lid rubs the fifth bow when opening the soft top

Nissan 370Z Forum (http://www.the370z.com/)

- Nissan 370Z Roadster (Convertible) (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-roadster-convertible/)

- - Storage lid rubs the fifth bow when opening the soft top (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-roadster-convertible/129502-storage-lid-rubs-fifth-bow-when-opening-soft-top.html)

Yes, I purchased the SmartTop a few weeks after I bought my 2017 touring roadster. It was hands down the best investment I could make in that car. Seriously. If you're going to get the roadster, spend a little extra dough and make the top much more functional. You can open and close it with just a momentary push of the dash switch (no need to keep holding down the button), and you can open and close it with the keyfob. And you can even start driving/backing out of your garage while the top is still in motion. Plus, you can defeat several of the ridiculous "lockout" features on the A/V system while the car is in motion.
I don't think any of this makes the "5th bow rubbing" issue any better, but I'd heartily advise every roadster owner to buy this inexpensive mod.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vman12 (Post 3819171)

Has anyone tried the smarttop mod? Per the youtube video it allows you to open/close the roof with a press of a button (no need to hold). I was thinking what if i got the mod and would hold/move the 5th bow out of the way when lid opens/closes. I know that currently i can hold the outside door button to open the roof but have to be inside and hold the switch to close the roof.

https://youtu.be/2BsM2C69lfg

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That is a very good point VMAN. I forgot about the option of opening the roof with the little door button and my problem, which seams to be the most common one is the lid striking only during the opening process.(correct me if I'm wrong) Service manual recommends not doing this though ,ie should have car running. I assume this is to preserve life of battery however I think with cost in mind I would rather preserve cost of roof replacement!
I just went to my car to test this and it works a treat, a little pressure on 5th bow in the forward direction and it cleared the opening lid easily.
Still might consider the smartop mod though.

Cheers,
Rodd

Hello. I'm here to commiserate with you all on this issue. I had a 2012 roadster which I loved, minus the top issues. Long story, but basically, the entire top was replaced under warranty for a slight tearing issue and rub guards that kept falling out. Even since the replacement, nothing but problems. Leaking water on the passenger side multiple times, weather stripping coming off, lid hitting top when opening, top stopping in the middle of opening. The dealership recommended another entire new top to the tune of 20k stating that some part of the frame must be bent. They couldn't tell us which part. They also stated that they could not get individual parts for the top, motors or anything, but only entire top replacement. Since it was past the one year warranty for the top replacement. They suggested we call Nissan and file a claim. We did. Nissan was willing to pay 70% of a new top replacement. That still meant us dishing out 7k for a new top that may or may not fix these issues. Hubby and I also felt that the top may not have been put on right in the first place and felt that the fact that a Nissan dealership couldn't get individual parts for the top was bs. We took it to another dealership that had a guy that works on thier tops thinking it was probably a 5th bow from reading the forums. The new dealership said it was in fact the first bow causing the issue of the top not retracting fully. That was replaced for $850 and the top was functioning properly. Incidentally, some clips were also replaced and the tech who worked on the top also noticed that another set of bungees had been installed wrong at the first dealership. I thought problem solved. Nope. Next few days, water was now coming in on the driver's side behind the seat was a pool of water and the stitching was coming undone on the passengerside window as well as small tears in the rear again. They recommended canvas replacement. 3k estimate. We had enough and traded it in for a new one on the lot. Stupid me never checked the top at the dealership thinking it was a 2019 and would have no issues. Second day I had it home, clunk, lid hitting top, and has already chipped the paint off both sides of the lid. Took it to the dealership. They made some adjustments. It was better, but now is audibley hitting the lid again with force. Taking it back in tomorrow to the dealership. I love this car, but they really need to fix this problem. I'll keep you guys posted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dramagodes (Post 3822915)

Yikes! It sucks that the weakest link in the roadster is the main reason why we went with the roadster in the first place! Theres a DIY on here to replace the 5th bow bungie if you or your husband are so inclined to do so. I even saw someone post a link to some inexpensive ones. Keep us posted!

That's crazy since roadsters can easily cost 50+ grand.

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Well, nothing was done at the dealership today because a tech stated that a fix with parts was due tentatively from Nissan in mid-March. He made a phone call right in front of me and spoke with the guy from Nissan to confirm that mid March is still the tentative date for avalibility of parts and the tsb. They know this is an issue with many roadsters. I'm waiting until this fix comes out to rectify the problem. No sense in fooling with it until then. Once the fix comes out, then they will address the paint chipping and fix that. No sense in repainting it now while the lid is still hitting the top. It will only chip again. The dealership has been great to work with and I have confidence that they are going to do what they can to rectify this. I'm sure they are frustrated at the issue as well. Anyhow, I'll keep updating as things progress and when I hear official word about the parts and fix release for this issue.

Dramagodes - Thanks for confirming. Nissan corporate and dealer told me same few months ago - tsb and new fix will be ready this spring. Can't wait.

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My 17 Sport Touring Roadster has same issue described in this thread. I do reach back pull the fifth bow forward when I am putting the top down. I have noticed that if I leave the top down for a while in the garage (maybe a few days), when I put the top up and then back down, the cover does not hit the top during the next round. To me this just confirms to me that the bungies are weak and ineffective after they have been stretched for a prolonged period of time. Seems like cheap material and hopefully any replacement for them would be made of a more durably elastic material.

Just as a side not. This is my second 370 roadster - third 370Z overall. My 2014 Touring Roadster did not do this at all. Not sure why - I think I was just lucky. I love this 2017 Spot Touring Roadster, but I am starting to miss my 15 Nismo Tech even with the leaky windows and hatch issues.

here is the screenshot of the invoice with notes from my last visit to the dealer.

Any word on the TSB?

I'm in Ohio. My 370z is put away for winter. Will check with the dealer in March or April.

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I haven't heard anything yet. I will be calling my dealership mid March for a status update.

Had my power window issue pretty much addressed by my local dealership on this past Friday. The service tech spoke with Nissan about the top issue and was told that they are no longer issuing the replacement 5th bow bungies as the fix. He said that they told him that the fix never really resolved the issue as they had expected. They also told him that they are still working on a forthcoming solution. I think i will be speaking Nissan USA to open a case to make sure they have some documention that this top issue is not resolved for me and the dealership is not receiving any direction.

Got an update from my dealership.
The fix is being designed in Japan. Apparently they have created the fix which they describe as "working superbly". But unfortunately they are still validating it and it will be another 2 to 3 months before they release the fix and tsb bulletin. So i was told to call the dealer back in a few months.

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