Well, I had my ZR at the dealer's today for an oil change and also had them look at the top. They concluded that the top needed replacing so they have ordered a new one (not sure of the part number). The seam separation is very minor and I am hesitant to have it replaced after reading some of the issues that others have had. They already told me that they will be outsourcing the install and that makes me even more concerned. But, I am afraid that the seam split will continue to grow and eventually start to leak when it rains so I guess I don't really have a choice.


Yes, you are correct, you don't really have a choice! It will continue to fail so you should have them replace it. I just had mine done and the Dealer sent it out to an outside shop. They did a great job on it! That part was fine. I am just nervouse because Nissan replaced my top with an identical replacement. So it will fail as well!

 

I also got back from my dealer earlier today. The 'top' light on the dash was staying on even after the top was closed in the tonneau.
They fixed it! So far everything looks good. My dealer has been very very good. BTW we still need a sticky put up on this forum!!!!!

 

Does anyone have a Pic of the third generation soft top??????? I thought I had seen a Pic some months ago but I'll be dipped in Pig Crap! I can't find it now and I am getting into a Pissing contest with NISSAN1 over the issue of the Generation 2 replacement being the same as the original top. All they did, if anything was ad a little more glue on the seam. Which is not going to do anything to prevent this from happening again!

 

I don't have a pic but I think what is happening is that the so-called 'Black Top' third generation top #97150-CF 40A is for the '05 models....the dealer orders according to the vin#. Nissan is issuing a TSB soon. My vin calls for 97150-CE 40 A and I looked over my new top...where the two spots near the seam...the plastic re-enforcement that was coming through the fabric... now in those same two spots shows more of a dark glue substance. I'll take a pic tomorrow and post the before and after pics. are you guys also complaining to the administrators for a sticky????....I hope!

 

I just got some time now to post these pics...
Before; this shows the 2 plastic pieces coming through the fabric.

After; this is the new top and at the exact area the new top has some black glue substance. The white spots in this pic is actually black. The faulty top pic was white plastic coming through.
Also my light on the dash is still ON after the top is enclosed. Need to go back again!!!

 

Is the material on the new, third generation top the same as the old top? If it is different, can you explain what the difference might be in material?

 

I didn't say that I have the 3rd Gen top...what I have is the same top as my original top because the dealer only orders by the vin#...mine is a '04.5 part#97150-CE40A The 3rd Gen For a black top is 97150-CF40A and the blue top 97150-CF40B these tops list for about 3 hundred $$$ more.

 

OOPPss!!!!...I stand corrected! I guess my mind is always stuck on the third generation top. Sorry!

 

Might be a little off topic, but I am starting to have problems with my top. A couple of cracks, both on the right and left side just above the mid point of the windows.

I wash the top with the soap I use to clean the car(Meguires Car Wash Soap), is that causing the problem. What do you guys use to treat the top?

 

Might be a little off topic, but I am starting to have problems with my top. A couple of cracks, both on the right and left side just above the mid point of the windows.


Yes, this is another spot that started cracking just a few months before I had the top replaced. Get Ready!!! Your going to need a new top very soon!!

I did not use anything on the top. Mainly because no liquid protectant is going to stop the top from tearing on the seams. And those cracks you are seeing are where the top is folded when it is in the trunk. The material is defective!

 

Thanks, I only have 2000 miles left on the warranty so I am going to go to the dealer and have them look at it. This helps me to know that what I am experiencing is part of the known problem.

I just found the threads on the good protectants so I will get those ordered.

I also have a lead around the window on the drivers side only, but I can see where their is a gap where the window meets the sealer.

 

When you go to the dealer, don't tell them you used any protectant. I can see some PITA service guy saying that was the cause.

 

I haven't actually used any protectant, I was thinking it said not to do anything to the top in the service manual. I still used the Maguires Car Wash Soap though. The top looks pristine except for those few cracks.

 

Yup! You don't really have a choice. It will get worse!

 

I just hope they will go for it. It's going in tomorrow for the cracks and the leak, I will let you know what they do. So far the dealership has been great about doing work under warranty.

 

I got really lucky. I purchased my 04 ZR on sat, and noticed the top was seperating after I read this thread. I went in yesterday to see if I could get it replaced under warranty... Turns out my warranty expires today!! The dealer said they would order the part and leave the ticked open so that warranty covers it.

 

This is exactly why all these top threads needs to be a stcky!!

 

We have been doing these quite a bit lately...

If anyone needs their top done, let me know and I can help out!

 

Thanks for the help guys, I just heard back from the dealer, when I dropped it off he wasn't sure if they would cover the cracking in the cover, but fortunately I happened to notice it was just starting to seperate at the seam above and to the right of the rear window.

So they are covering the top replacement, plus I had a little leak at the sealer around the drivers side a- pillar so they are ordering a new part for that, and my regulator on the drivers window is being replaced as well.

I've also had the right control arm replaced under warranty, the tire feathering issue, and the rear bearing problem on both sides.

I love this car, but dang, I thought my ex was high maintenance!

 

I guess it's not fixed!!!!! Now the top light on the dash stays on again even when its closed.
Can anyone offer a solution?? Maybe asking your tech guys?