TOP Tearing issue

Hi-Step'n370Z · 10-18-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vifferman

Top-wear/tear victims ~

While my issue is still relatively minor, I'm not at all happy with the cosmetics of the wear mark/indentation/crease, and I clearly want to avoid Z_U_Later's top replacement nightmare. I'm also suspicious of the varied disagnoses & fixes...is it sharp edges on the folding assembly (per Z_U) or is it the hatch arm wires/conduit (per Merlin)? Or...are these two different issues? Regardless, it's time for Nissan to fess up and give us some answers (the roadster has now been in production for a full calendar year). Accordingly, I sent this message to Nissan USA...

As you must know, there are significant "issues" with the 370Z Roadster's soft top (see owners' reports at http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-roadster-convertible/20621-top-tearing-issue.html). I had a wear mark/indentation/crease on the driver's side within the first few weeks of ownership, and based on other owners' reports of such wear resulting in perforation of the canvas, I'm quite concerned (at best, it's an unacceptable cosmetic flaw on my $48,000 roadster). My dealer knew little about the issue, and other owners report varying responses/diagnoses from NissanUSA. When can we expect an official acknowlegement/response & a proper fix from Nissan?

I commend you on your effort!

This is something that needs to be addressed to Nissan, this is not a minimal little glitch. The top is everything regarding the appearance - and resale value of the whole car.

I have had absolutely no problem with my top in any way, but I did have the thought that the issue needed to be addressed regardless.

For those who have experienced this issue, it is has to be devastating. And to the rest of us, we just wait and wonder if it will happen to our Roadster.

Depending on the response you receive from Nissan, perhaps more of us should follow your lead, and encourage Nissan to give the matter the level of priority it deserves.

I would also like to know if this is an occasional problem, or if they all were manufactured with the same glitch that will eventually ruin the canvas on all the Z's. If so, there should be some kind of piece of mind life time warranty on the 2010's for this specific problem.

I don't want anyone to forget the problems that some have experienced with the installation of their new top because, it was not installed to look like a factory install, and were told that the fit will "wear in."

If my new Roadster was delivered to me, with the top looking like the one that was pictured on this Forum after it was replaced, I would not have accepted the car with it looking like that. If anyone needs to have a top replaced, their Z should not be delivered back to the owner looking any less than factory.

Once again vifferman, I commend you for pursuing this with Nissan. Of course, keep us posted.
.
.

Merlin · 10-19-2010, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi-Step'n370Z

I commend you on your effort!

This is something that needs to be addressed to Nissan, this is not a minimal little glitch. The top is everything regarding the appearance - and resale value of the whole car.

I have had absolutely no problem with my top in any way, but I did have the thought that the issue needed to be addressed regardless.

For those who have experienced this issue, it is has to be devastating. And to the rest of us, we just wait and wonder if it will happen to our Roadster.

Depending on the response you receive from Nissan, perhaps more of us should follow your lead, and encourage Nissan to give the matter the level of priority it deserves.

I would also like to know if this is an occasional problem, or if they all were manufactured with the same glitch that will eventually ruin the canvas on all the Z's. If so, there should be some kind of piece of mind life time warranty on the 2010's for this specific problem.

I don't want anyone to forget the problems that some have experienced with the installation of their new top because, it was not installed to look like a factory install, and were told that the fit will "wear in."

If my new Roadster was delivered to me, with the top looking like the one that was pictured on this Forum after it was replaced, I would not have accepted the car with it looking like that. If anyone needs to have a top replaced, their Z should not be delivered back to the owner looking any less than factory.

Once again vifferman, I commend you for pursuing this with Nissan. Of course, keep us posted.
.
.

FYI, I elevated my top issue to Nissan North America a few weeks ago. I have been in discussions with one of their senior customer affairs account execs for a while as I go thru this process. I don't go out and drop major cash for a car only to have these kinds flaws occur and then have to spend an inordinate amount of time and energy screwing with it. What a headache. Anyway, when I asked about whether there are "systemic issues" across the 2010 model for tops, I did not get a straight answer, and haven't received one yet. I would encourage anyone who has a top issue to report it to Nissan at the corporate level and make it an issue. Get it on record. Dealerships will be reporting these issues too, but it is better if you report it directly yourself.

So at this point they have re-routed the wiring harness that is attached to the driver's side hatch arm and made it look like it was done this way at the factory. At least the tech tried. This has stopped the rubbing on the canvas. Now they are going to give me a new canvas top. A Nissan regional tech is going to do the replacement and I have met and talked to him. He seems very qualified and has done this before (but not on a 370Z). The canvas replacement makes me very nervous. I do NOT want to have the issues that Z_U-later had with the new canvas. I have already contacted a consumer lawyer and am in a wait-and-see mode. If the top is replaced and it looks factory installed, I will be happy and that should be the end of this issue. If it is not and this saga continues, I am going to engage on legal fronts. Like most of you, I have a job and don't have the time to keep screwing with this stuff. And we all deserve better from Nissan and the car they are selling. Stand by for more.

vifferman · 10-20-2010, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlin

FYI, I elevated my top issue to Nissan North America a few weeks ago. I have been in discussions with one of their senior customer affairs account execs for a while as I go thru this process. I don't go out and drop major cash for a car only to have these kinds flaws occur and then have to spend an inordinate amount of time and energy screwing with it. What a headache. Anyway, when I asked about whether there are "systemic issues" across the 2010 model for tops, I did not get a straight answer, and haven't received one yet. I would encourage anyone who has a top issue to report it to Nissan at the corporate level and make it an issue. Get it on record. Dealerships will be reporting these issues too, but it is better if you report it directly yourself.

So at this point they have re-routed the wiring harness that is attached to the driver's side hatch arm and made it look like it was done this way at the factory. At least the tech tried. This has stopped the rubbing on the canvas. Now they are going to give me a new canvas top. A Nissan regional tech is going to do the replacement and I have met and talked to him. He seems very qualified and has done this before (but not on a 370Z). The canvas replacement makes me very nervous. I do NOT want to have the issues that Z_U-later had with the new canvas. I have already contacted a consumer lawyer and am in a wait-and-see mode. If the top is replaced and it looks factory installed, I will be happy and that should be the end of this issue. If it is not and this saga continues, I am going to engage on legal fronts. Like most of you, I have a job and don't have the time to keep screwing with this stuff. And we all deserve better from Nissan and the car they are selling. Stand by for more.

Any chance you could post a pic or two of the hatch arm with the re-routed wire harness? Perhaps also a pic of the affected area on the canvas? Is the wear in the same area as Z_U_Later's tear and my indentation/crimp?

Merlin · 10-21-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vifferman

Any chance you could post a pic or two of the hatch arm with the re-routed wire harness? Perhaps also a pic of the affected area on the canvas? Is the wear in the same area as Z_U_Later's tear and my indentation/crimp?

Here are some images of the top and of the hatch arm. You can see what the tech did to it (move wiring harness and taped it up). The wear mark has not worsened since they adjusted the way the wiring harness was attached to the arm. The fuzz is gone, but the mark is still there.

vifferman · 10-22-2010, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlin

Here are some images of the top and of the hatch arm. You can see what the tech did to it (move wiring harness and taped it up). The wear mark has not worsened since they adjusted the way the wiring harness was attached to the arm. The fuzz is gone, but the mark is still there.

Thanks, Merlin. Now I understand, as your issue is different than mine, Z_U_Later's, and others' where the wear occurs in a more central location. That's bad news since it suggests that there isn't just one common problem, or one fix out there.

Hi-Step'n370Z · 11-26-2010, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlin

Here are some images of the top and of the hatch arm. You can see what the tech did to it (move wiring harness and taped it up). The wear mark has not worsened since they adjusted the way the wiring harness was attached to the arm. The fuzz is gone, but the mark is still there.

After looking at the pic's, I am wondering just what exactly did the wear-through? Those two round nubs look like the culprit, and the harness itself looks worn at the bend, and could also make the wear-through, but rather than assume, I thought I'd ask if anyone at the dealer, or from Nissan, has ever identified the part of the frame that was the actual cause of the wear-through.

Bye the way, how did they get to the frame and harness? The top must have needed to be removed. Was that a big deal to do?

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