A friend has a 2006 Roadster version and is having trouble with the top not retracting 100%. She says it will go down 95% and stop. If she closes it and tries a couple more times it will retract 100% eventually. I was thinking something mechanical is stopping it. Anyone have an idea or heard of someone having trouble with a similar issue? She is going to take it to the dealer next week under warranty, but I was hoping someone here would have some info.

I can't remember exactly what the part is that tends to go bad on those tops, but I do know the dealership won't cover it. Their figuring is its a part that wears down over time so their not responsible.

I found a tech bulletin on this today, so my friend will be taking the 350Z to the stealership this weekend.

There is a bar that leans towards the front of the roadster when the top is up (closed). When you put the top down (open), you must make sure that bar makes the transition from leaning towards the front of the roadster to leaning towards the rear. If it does not make the transition in time, then the top folds into the rear compartment missing 1-3 inches of the clearance it needs and the fiberglass compartment cover will be unable to close on top of it.

The dealer should cover everything under warranty.Sounds like the 5th bow problem.

@hype901...THANK YOU! Your advice worked and you saved me probably 100's if I would've taken it to the dealership. Awesome.

Can anyone offer a bit of clarification as to how I identify the bar that needs to tilt backwards when closing? My roof started requiring a couple tries before it would stow away 100%. It's now only going down about 95% and Spring is arriving!!!

Had my 350z since 2005, had third party replace my top in 2014. One thing that wasn't replace were the two straps on each side that connect between the 5th bow bar and the 4th bar. Recently started having problem with top not closing completely, was intermittent problem and I could sometimes push on 4th bar and top would descend and lock into place. Went to dealership and found out there is service bulletin out about replacing straps. Cost was $68 per strap and labor. I was in and out of dealership within 2 hours.

I'm glad it was a cheap fix! It always nice when things work out that way.

Thanks for posting back up after things got sorted out! We don't have a lot of convertible drivers drop in, but every little bit of info we have helps everyone.

All of us are smarter than one of us.

Promise Land wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:36 am

A friend has a 2006 Roadster version and is having trouble with the top not retracting 100%. She says it will go down 95% and stop. If she closes it and tries a couple more times it will retract 100% eventually. I was thinking something mechanical is stopping it. Anyone have an idea or heard of someone having trouble with a similar issue? She is going to take it to the dealer next week under warranty, but I was hoping someone here would have some info.

yes i have a 2004 new top on . It is the frailer of the elastic straps that slightly pull the fame together as its folding and entering the coffin ,I contacted parts dept for Nissan their are four straps two in front two in back and the price for each front strap was 80$ and each rear was 40 $ total 240$ for elastic straps i fixed it myself by tying hair bungees around each existing strap with out removing anything

yes i have a 2004 new top on . It is the frailer of the elastic straps that slightly pull the fame together as its folding and entering the coffin ,I contacted parts dept for Nissan their are four straps two in front two in back and the price for each front strap was 80$ and each rear was 40 $ total 240$ for elastic straps i fixed it myself by tying hair bungees around each existing strap with out removing anything .Top goes in better then it did before cost me 3$