TOP Tearing issue

Hi-Step'n370Z

I have been keeping an eye on this issue and have been wondering how many of us are experiencing it.

Seeing the workmanship that that place the Dealer had install the top, and of course wanting to have the whole thing paid for under warranty, if that happens to me, I will more than likely take the new top and go to the highest end place that does that kind of work and pay for the install myself. I would be more concerned about the job being done right than getting the whole thing paid for if the workmanship is sub-par.

HOWEVER, did anyone actually find the cause of the tear? If not, it will most likely tear again.

So, bought the Z in December of 2009, put it on the road in April, and so far there is no sign of trouble. (yet)

On my top, that area is smooth as can be, not even any crease's, and if I gently push in on that area, I do not feel anything underneath that is rubbing against it. However, that doesn't mean that when the top is folding up during closing that something may be rubbing against it then.

How about the rest of you Roadster owners? I'd like to see if this is a wide spread problem, or some factory installation goof up.
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vifferman

I took delivery of my roadster on June 7, and have opened/closed the top about 5 of every 6 days since. I have a small 3/8 inch crease & some discoloration on the driver's side only, but in the same location as Z-U-Later's problem. I can feel two small nodules, about 5/8 inch apart on both sides (cable ties, perhaps?) in the suspect area. If it weren't for Z-U's nightmare experience, I wouldn't be overly concerned, but now I'm a bit paranoid.

Merlin

See my post today (Oct 7, 2010). There are issues with 2010 Roadsters and the tops. Nissan isn't saying much about it for obvious reasons. They are screwing around with it. In my case, they took parts off, bent the rear hatch arm and basically devalued my car in efforts to stop the top from being rubbed every time the top is put up and down. Every time they touch it they screw it up further. And these are techs they have brought in, not dealer service people. They are going to replace the canvas top now, but I read what they did to Z_U_later’s top and that scares the crap out of me. Purchased my car in June and frankly am very disappointed. Only have 2630 miles on it. I DON'T have any patience with anyone who sells a shoddy product and knows there are problems. Nissan is doing just that. To be honest, based on Nissan North American responses thus far and what they are doing to try and fix the issue, wish I had not bought this car. I am OCD about my cars and this BS is unacceptable. Most likely I will sell this POS and cut my losses.

vifferman

What was your top issue, Merlin? Was it the same as Z_U's Did you have tears in the canvas; just the tell-tale indentations/creases, or what?

Merlin

The problem is the rear hatch arm on the driver’s side. Attached to that arm is a hydraulic line and a wire (for the rear window defogger I think). The wire passes thru a conduit. When the top is lowered and raised that sharp edge of that conduit digs into the canvass top and is wearing a hole in it. Rather than take the edge off the conduit, the Nissan regional tech appears to have bent the arm out and twisted it a little (and left deep, raw tool marks in the metal arm). He also wrapped black tape all around the hydraulic line and wire and remaining conduit. Can't tell what is under the tape, but suspect it ain't pretty. The arm (layered tape) still rubs the canvas when raising and lowering the top, but now in a different spot. And the arm now rubs into the rubber gasket on the edge of the area where the top drops in. He bent it out too much. It is hard to explain. They now plan to replace the canvas as the material where it was previously rubbing is now beginning to show threads and will slowly unravel. I am just shaking my head as watch them do all of this and just make it worse. I do have slight indentations and creases on the left and right side of the top, but they are minor.

vifferman

Well, Merlin - first, the tech's clumsy effort (deep tool marks, et al) is outrageous. I know exactly how you feel; it's like your beautiful new car has been violated and it will never be "new" again. I'm the poster boy for OCD, and I've been in a couple of similar positions with new cars. My ZR is just four months old and the odometer shows just 1,700 miles (I drive the Z only for pleasure/sport); yet the tell-tale driver's side wear spot is already quite evident, and I abhor the prospect of a top replacement and the nightmares that will likely accompany such an ordeal. That said, it appears that the diagnosis re: your "top-tearing issue" differs from that of the OP (Z_U_Later), as his diagnosis referrred to sharp edges on the 'folding assembly' and they had to cut the top fabric to see it. Frankly, your diagnosis makes far more sense to me, as my indentation, crease & discoloration clearly has to come from something rubbing on the outside of the canvas. Tomorrow, I will open the top part-way to reveal the hatch arm, and attempt to confirm the diagnosis. I'll post my findings.

Thank you for the update, Merlin and best wishes for a successful resolution. Please keep us fully posted. BTW, I too have feelings of buyer's regret, but other than the top issues, my Z is nearly flawless, and I love it, so...

Merlin

Sounds like you and I use our cars for the same purpose -- pleasure and sport. Yes, it is the driver's side that gets the wear spot. Hope your problem is easily resolved. Please do keep us posted.

vifferman

Well, as promised, I opened the top half way yesterday to inspect the hatch arm assemby/conduit, etc. Frankly, I can't see how that assembly could possibly be the "top-tearing" culprit, especially since there is no such assembly on the passenger side, and Z_U_Later had tears on both sides. This whole issue gets more & more frustrating (absurd), as apparently even Nissan corporate doesn't have an official position/solution. Guess I'll have another drink and think about it again tomorrow.

Hi-Step'n370Z

I am curious as to how many times you operated the top during those four months.

I am trying to see if there's a commonality regarding how long it takes to rip through the canvas.

For example, one driver may only operate the top once in a while, and another driver operates it every day, but both tops showed signs of the top being torn after the " 20th time" their tops were operated.

vifferman

I would estimate that in four months, I've opened/closed the top maybe 60-65 times. The wear mark/crease/indentation appeared within the first month of ownership, and has worsened moderately, but with no real sign of actual tearing or perforation yet.