TOP Tearing issue

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.
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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.