Weird - Maybe the 350Z body isn't very stiff
 

Ok so earlier today I noticed that there was a dimple on the passenger side roof right above the "b-pillar" where the door meets the body. I thought maybe someone pushed down on it too hard.

But tonight I noticed the same thing on the driver side. Because of the symmetry between sides and that it occurs right above the b-pillar where the doors close into the body, I can only surmise that this is the weak point in the 350Z's body. Not to toot my own horn, but I think regularly autocrossing and HPDEs have actually tweaked the sheetmetal.

I think a chassis stiffening rollcage is in order before something happens that tears the metal. Anybody noticed this on their Z?

Plainly, NO

Thanks for being direct. :D

Did you maybe install a harness bar??

This might have pushed out the B pillars, causing dimples.....

Nope.

I guess the 275/40/18 tires front and rear, cusco sways, and Tein Flex are too much for the sheetmetal to take. :cool:

Can you take a picture of it?

I have the same dimple!!!!! I thought I was going crazy. I am glad you noticed it too. Weird, I hadnt thought of it being a weak point, but maybe that what it is. I am going to go look at it a little later and see.

I have a black car so it's not easy to see it especially on camera. I will try but I can't until next week...Dreamworkes has my car again out here.

Maybe the car needs something like a sub-frame connectors.

http://www.mustang50magazine.com/50m...mage_large.jpg

Az

I like this one

http://www.totalcontrolproducts.com/..._installed.jpg

or this one

http://www.totalcontrolproducts.com/..._installed.jpg

Can someone Photoshop one of the above sub-frames to this picture.

Thanks,
Az

http://www.the-top.com/350z.jpg

The piece above both passenger and driver side windows is not part of the structure of the car, it is a plastic finishing plate that you can remove. Is this the area you are taking about? If so, it could just be a defect in the plastic. Or that single screw in that area my be the culprit.

For reference from the FSM

Perhaps maybe welding in a harness bar will hold the B pillars rigid and prevent this from happening to others.

Ranger , can you take a picture of yours? I am about to start tracking my baby and dont want this to happen.....

Wow, I never knew that was plastic until now. :eek:

I second that!!! You are not alone!!! :eek:

cheers,

richie

I have a slight dip on both sides as well, I noticed it a few weeks ago, but assumed it was from someone pressing on it. I also noticed today as my car was jacked up putting my new springs that there are a couple creases in the side skirts as well on both sides.

this is what i have been considering if i can't find a shop to do a roll cage that i want

http://www.excite.co.jp/world/englis...co=excitejapan

i hope that link works if not use this http://www.rsw.ne.jp and look for reinforce

If the dimple is in that plastic piece (I noticed it was plastic the first time I washed the car) I have it as well. I thought it's probably an attachement point or where it's prssed into place. Mine's only noticeable because the reflection changes over the dimple.

Thanks ether, your first link didn't work but the second did fine. that really does look like a workable solution from the perspective of a non-mechanically inclined person. Can someone who tracks (anything) comment on whether this works or just looks nice?