TOP Tearing issue

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.

Merlin

I've probably open/closed my top something close to that amount (60-70 times) and the primary damage was the continued rubbing at one spot on the drivers side. If left alone, it would have eventually worn a whole in the top. The adjustment/alteration to the hatch arm on the driver's side that the Nissan regional tech made has corrected the rubbing in that spot. There is still a wear mark there that will always be there. It is yet to be seen if it has solved the problem entirely.

Hi-Step'n370Z

So, the wear mark appeared within the first month. To me, that is a very important factor, and suggests that in the Z's with the confirmed tear issue, there was something done during the assembly to those Z's that was not done to the Z's that haven't torn. (yet)

Vifferman and Merlin have operated their tops about the same number of times, but Vifferman explained that the problem actually began to show as soon as the first month of operation, which averages out to be around 16 operations per month, so the last 45 or so operations were done after the problem actually began. It was that first month, or first 16 operations that told the tale of what was to come.

Because of these two time frame breakdown's, it seems that IF one is going to have a problem, it should show up sooner rather than later.

Vifferman's showed up within one month, or within 16-is operations.


Merlin, does this time frame apply to your tear also?

If so, then maybe we can narrow down the average Roadster's expectancy of having a top tear issue. Meaning that IF the top has been operated over 16 times or as much as say 40 times, and there's no sign of a tear, then there is the possibility that the top may escape being one of those that will eventually have the tear.

This may be like the engine oil burning issue, some had it, but most did not.
.

.

Merlin

I noticed the wearing on the top within the first week of owning the car. I had put the roof up and down probably 10-15 times (maybe more). The canvass was fuzzed up on the exterior of driver's side. Eventually discovered it was being caused by a piece on the hatch arm rubbing the top when it was put and put down. I removed the fuzz and saw the same fuzz again within about a week and that is when I knew there was a problem. Took it to dealer and they got a tech there in about three weeks. During that time I really limited the number of times I raised and lowered the top. My thoughts are that IF there is going to be a wearing issue because of some sort of rubbing due to mechanical issues/poor fit/poor construction, etc., it is likely to show up early. So yes, it will appear within the first dozen or so operations. This is not a tearing issue nor is it what I would consider normal wear and tear. Now that the tech re-ran wires and removed the conduit that was on that arm, the rubbing has stopped. They still want to replace the top for cosmetic issues.