2010 Roadster Top replacement issue
 

My 2010 Roadster's soft top assembly (the whole unit) was replaced by my dealer due to the issues we found with the old top. The old top's fabric had two frayed spots that were becoming actual holes like many people's experience in this forum and the dealer mechanic also said that one of the bows of the top was not operating correctly, so they had to replace the whole top under warranty.

The replacement of the top assembly was done in early November 2012. The service advisor first thought it was just a day's work to finish the task and had me bring the car in the morning and wait until it is finished. Unfortunately, they struggled with the operating mechanism for two days because the newly installed top assembly during the 'close' operation wouldn't get close enough to the top of the windshield for the striker pin to hook and latch itself. It needs to be gently pushed down by 1/2 inch for the pin to the latch and lock. After two days I was informed that the "Nissan Tech Line" technician has advised them to soak the top and see if it works. Unfortunately, soaking the top did not help either. I was then told to take the car home and NOT to 'open' the top for 2-3 weeks but soak the top a few times and park it under the sun whenever possible. I followed those instructions for a few weeks.

When I took the car back to the dealership in the end of December, the top had still not "stretched" to latch itself automatically. I asked them to make sure they are not forgetting any adjustments in the fitting. I was told by the Service advisor in the end that they have tried all adjustments and the Tech Line guy is asking us to soak it repeatedly in car wash and allow it under hot sun and cycle it like this for another 4 weeks so that the top "stretched" itself. So I brought the car back from dealership again.

It's been 3 week since then, I have put the top through multiple self-wash and dry cycles and I still see 1/2 inch gap during the 'close' operation and it still needs a manual push-down to latch itself. It works more like a "semi-automatic" top than an automatic top. I am now frustrated and losing confidence on Nissan USA and also the dealer because I don't know what it would really take to "stretch" the top. I am not sure if they are totally off base and are not aware of some adjustment or haven't installed the top correctly.

First of all, the instructions for the top installation should have stated if there was any need for "stretching". If not there should have been at least a TSB from Nissan for the dealer so that they know it may not be a 'day's effort' to replace the top and there is a risk of follow-up work in order to "stretch" the top by soaking and drying after the installation. Secondly, it is a fabric top and soaking it repeatedly may ultimately weaken the waterproofing. It is 45K car from Nissan and the dealer is also considered reputable in SoCal, Fontana Nissan, as far as what I heard about them from this forum.

I was researching FSM's for this installation procedure and I came across the pages (attached here) where there are instructions to adjust the guide pin to the striker center position and also the 5th bow clearance. But nothing about moving the top close enough to the windshield assembly or "stretching" the top.

I saw some old post from B52EWO, Dsphoto and HybridFusion which talk about similar issues with their newly installed tops. However, I couldn't find details about how it was troubleshot or resolved in the end. So I decided to post the issue and seek help. Any insight on this will be appreciated. Thanks!

Sorry to hear all the trouble you are going through. I have nothing useful to contribute but hope this gets resolved soon. Good luck and keep us posted.

I had mine replaced a month ago under warranty and was also told not to operate for a few weeks and wet / sun dry it as much as possible.

I have not attempted to open the top as i believe it is still stretching and will not do it until I get a few more wet/dry cycles. I will more than likely open it for the first time at the dealer when I take my car to get the rear window tinted.

I will let you know how it goes.

My top was replaced without incident and none of this cycling the top wet/dry crap. So, it can be done. My advice is take the car back to the dealer and tell them to let you know when it is fixed. If it takes more than a day, ask for a rental/loaner but do not take the car back until it has been properly repaired. Did you talk to the dealership manager or owner about your situation?

Replacing tops is not easy: they don't do it often and its complex. In order to get that lovely tight fit...tolerances are tight.

Our top is cloth so it could take a bit longer to actually stretch. I have replaced more then a few tops on miatae which typically use vinyl and those can be a beast to get latched: sun and stretching makes all the difference in that world.

On the last install I helped with (last month) I think I invented a few new ways to swear.

Hang in there: keep with the advisor/service folks and as you probably already have done, document document document. I don't want to see you go down the route of dissatisfaction and breach of warranty or other legal angles, but in case you need to have it all ready.

- b

Why are you guys getting the top replaced? Is there something I should look out for? Thanks!

There was a TSB for the door windows rubbing the top fabric causing wear. That's why I had mine replaced. It was too late to adjust the windows as the damage was already done.

sorry your going through this mess. All you need now is for the steering wheel lock to go out which is BS. But hopefully you fixed that problem already..but anyways Hope the dealership can get to the bottom of this and fix your top!

Thanks everyone for your support. Blueranger, let us know how your new top works when you try it during the dealership visit. It would be interesting if only a few new installations need this "stretching" and most do not. It's hard to believe that any car company would make the same component out of their production line with varying physical tolerances. Something is not right.

Probably has to do more with the installation rather than any sort of manufacturing tolerances. When I had my roof replaced, the little plastic finishing piece got crunched on closing because incorrect installation... a little ticked on the teething problem but I still love the car

I will report back when I take it to the dealer which will be the first time i operate the top in their presence. Just waiting for the weather to clear a little.

mine is starting to tear or fray a little on the drivers side. how long did you guys wait or how bad did you let it get before taking in to get replaced?

Took it in right away, it was summer, but scheduled the replacement for the fall.

I just picked up a 2010 z roadster and notice that the doors(especially passenger) gets a little suck when opening. I also noticed on that side that the top corner of the roof where the window meets is frayed about 1/4 inch...doesn't look bad. Anyone have pics of what ur tops looked like b4 u brought it to the dealer....I believe I have 1 year left on my factory warranty.

Take it to the dealer! Lol