Click click click in the top frame

[bvl]

I have not seen a topic like this before. Some folks report clicking fro the two rear fasteners that have plastic tops that the top frame can rest on.

My issues is lots of clicking in the top frame where it attaches near the windshield on the driver side.

As the frame flexes slightly (typically heard more at HW speeds over expansion joints, but starting to happen more and more) I hear clicking/rubbing that will drive anyone insane.

Finding noises is one of the most challenging things to do in a car.

its not the window against the top as the noises occur with the window down.

I have opened the top a few times partially to try to look under the top at any wiring loom possibly rubbing plastic on plastic or some other interference. So far no good.

My guesses are:

1. Metal on metal interference/vibrations to the front
2. Wiring loom or other item with plastic wrap hitting something
3. hinge in the metal frame of top

Anyone experience this or something similar? I am sure I can get the dealer to hear the noises as they are constant and easy to, but I have near zero confidence in any dealer wanting to do anything about it (its not easy, and the ability to charge back to Nissan for warranty work is difficult to do...what's the problem again?

Figure I would toss this out to the collective.

- b

[TonySlimfast]

ive had that sound before, but it went away after a while

[gr8-wrx]

I haven't heard that sound before. How many miles do you have?

[bvl]

14K on the 2010. The noises have been getting progressively worse since early summer (12K or so).

Every time I raise/lower the top I stop it to poke around a bit. The wiring loops are fairly tight, and use a lot of plastic ties. I have rotated a few in case they were rubbing.

Last drive, the clicking/squeaking was constant on anything but smooth roads, at lower speeds as well such as bump at 20 MPH. Its infuriating. Unless a hinge or piece of metal has a fracture, its likely just something in need of a dab of lube. Such a minor thing causing a major usability issue.

I'm used to noises...this car replaced a very well used and modified 1992 miata. This is not a normal noise, especially in a car as stiff as the Z. Its in the top and I'm still hunting for it. Boo.

- b

[gr8-wrx]

Let us know what the dealer says if you bring it in...

[Dcengr]

I have the exact same problem in my 2012 roadster. I've taken it to the dealer and they heard it. They want it back this tuesday so they can have it for a few days to poke around.

I also tried to find the source of the sound but I can't find anything. However, I did notice that if I put my arm on an open window and push up on the top (like a screw jack), the noise goes away. So it has something to do with the top not closing tightly, which is causing the noise. Either the actuator is not pulling the correct force or something yielded and it doesn't close as tightly as before.

[Roadkill]

It's very hard to tell from the description, but I think my 10 Roadster makes a simular noise. It was also present on my other 2 350Z roadsters. The top clamped tight on them, so I always figured it was the locator dowels on the doors. It was especially present anytime after it had rained or been very humid. It was like a thin coat of rust would build up on the dowels and cause a squeak or rattle until the rust got knocked off. Then it would clear up for a while. Often a long while depending on the weather. The 370 makes the same sound. It only stands to reason that there is a lot of stress on those dowels as there's no roof to stiffen the car body and even though it has stiffeners on the chassis, it still uses the doors to assist. Also where the 350 had clamps that pulled it down tight, the 370 has dowels up there too that it uses to clamp the roof down too. It's just a suggestion, but maybe if you put a thin coat (very thin) coat of lubricant on all of them, it might quiet down just a little. The worst case senario is that it changes nothing and you can rule that out.

I hope you get it figured out. A noise like that can drive a person nuts. For me, that's a very short drive. But the truth is, I enjoy this car too much to let it's little gremlins spoil that for me. I love this car.

[TonySlimfast]

i had a MAJOR squeaking sound coming from my driver rear on the teneau cover, it drove me nuts! I brought it to the dealer twice before it stopped squeaking (for now). Everytime i used to hit a bump it would squeak, dealer told me they tightened up something, and looked like they added alot of grease in some areas

[Dcengr]

Mine is not a squeak. It's a chatter. I took it to the dealer and they are replacing the entire top on warranty repair. They're not sure if it will fix it, but I'm guessing they think the lid isn't closed tight.

The service manager told me the warranty repair will cost Nissan.. $11K!

[Dcengr]

Dealer replaced the top and the noise is gone. Hope it's permanent and not a design flaw..

[bvl]

Update for me.

I continued to assess the hinge, and used a very light amount of lithium spray grease in a few of the hinges/interfaces. Specifically the one referenced in the picture below.

Its been a week and a few hundred miles of driving and the noises I was experiencing so far have been eliminated. I'll continue to keep an ear on it (yuck yuck).

Due for an oil change in 2 weeks but at this point its going to just be a simple service.

- b

IMG_0609.jpg

[mcapuano1101]

I'm on top number 2. Experienced the same problem with the original top. Nissan replaced it, now top number 2 is making the same chatter. Like someone else mentioned, if you press up on the top by wedging your arm between the door panel & the roof, the noise stops. I've also found that placing some stiff foam between the contacting parts helps. Seems like an awful lot of trouble for a 45K car. This is my last Nissan. 6 more months of this rattle trap POS and I will be in a position to rid myself of it. Don't even get me started on the squeaking dash board, the failed catalytic converter, the failed drive shaft, the peeling paint on the rear bumper cover....should I continue? Worst car I have ever owned.

[sarmyth]

This noise on the 2nd top and endless top tweaking at the dealership was what cause me to get rid of my 2010 370ZR. 18k miles on mine, excellent vehicle on the track (besides the lack of a cage), but horrible on the street. It's a shame Nissan blundered the top so badly... though I do wonder if it was just the 2010s.

Between this clicking, a whistling at highway speeds (top up or down ) but only when there were no cars for about 30 car lengths in front (nice laminar flow), and unsolvable top wear, finally gave up and (over?) corrected to a GS350 FSport.

Woes in my 2 year span:
* Dealership repaint to address a factory defect ( a "Z" discoloration in the paint but only in the sun if you can believe that )
* First top tore itself apart (literally)
* Top when opening would bash the tonneau cover below 45 degrees
* Which when corrected led to top folding too tightly causing significant wear at folded contact points
* Rub and wear caused by wire loom on tonneau arm
* Complete replacement of all clutch hydraulics after trackday failure, stock clutch
* Pitiful whistles and rattles

Finally capped with a nice dent in the front bumper (promptly covered with the carbonfiber fang cover =p ) cause by the car rolling into the wench on my trailer when someone forgot to set the parking brake.

Too much for 2y at 18k... had less problems in my 8 years owning a 10y old CRX!

[Joebarchuck]

I have the same squeaks and noises described in this thread. I have a 2010 roadster and I believe it's from the bolts that the top rest on near the trunk. I fixed it once by putting some rubber padding on those bolts but they get used up in a matter of 6 months or so and then the squeaks come back. I could not find a long term solution. This is definitely poor design on behalf of Nissan.