How To Repair 5th Bow Motor, with photos.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 115
Likes: 16
From: Kentucky
Greasing...
Thanks for the update!
BB
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
BlueBadge, you belong in the DIY Hall of Fame! It took 3 tries, but it worked. I would have never attempted this in a million years without your detailed pics and descriptions. If I can do it, anyone can. I will share my experience for future users. I removed and disassembled the motor 3 times, but 3rd time was the charm. I almost gave up and went to the dealer, but I was so certain it was this motor, that I tried it one more time. I did notice the final time that one of the brushes stuck back in the housing, so maybe it was getting caught once I put it together. The final assembly attempt I was extra cautious making sure that everything stayed in the proper place.
I can't thank Bluebadge and the people on this post enough. I wouldn't have so much minded spending the money, but having a dealer randomly replace parts would drive me nuts. Oh, and spending $10 vs $2,000 doesn't hurt either.
Great forum.....me and my Z will be back
mm8519
I can't thank Bluebadge and the people on this post enough. I wouldn't have so much minded spending the money, but having a dealer randomly replace parts would drive me nuts. Oh, and spending $10 vs $2,000 doesn't hurt either.
Great forum.....me and my Z will be back
mm8519
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 115
Likes: 16
From: Kentucky
Glad it worked out!
BlueBadge, you belong in the DIY Hall of Fame! It took 3 tries, but it worked. I would have never attempted this in a million years without your detailed pics and descriptions. If I can do it, anyone can. I will share my experience for future users. I removed and disassembled the motor 3 times, but 3rd time was the charm. I almost gave up and went to the dealer, but I was so certain it was this motor, that I tried it one more time. I did notice the final time that one of the brushes stuck back in the housing, so maybe it was getting caught once I put it together. The final assembly attempt I was extra cautious making sure that everything stayed in the proper place.
I can't thank Bluebadge and the people on this post enough. I wouldn't have so much minded spending the money, but having a dealer randomly replace parts would drive me nuts. Oh, and spending $10 vs $2,000 doesn't hurt either.
Great forum.....me and my Z will be back
mm8519
I can't thank Bluebadge and the people on this post enough. I wouldn't have so much minded spending the money, but having a dealer randomly replace parts would drive me nuts. Oh, and spending $10 vs $2,000 doesn't hurt either.
Great forum.....me and my Z will be back
mm8519
Another satisfied customer! glad we could help. Happy motoring
and thanks for sharing!BB
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Rockton IL
very good tutorial.I took my motor out before I read this. I'm 6'1" very tight in there.once I got the motor out I checked it with a 12 volt power source had to tap on the motor to get it to work. Definitely brushes.
Thanks for the Amazon link
Thanks for the Amazon link
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Norwood New Jersey
*** How To Repair 5th Bow Motor ***
The model featured is my 2004 Touring Roadster, Current mileage is about 123k and I have never cleaned this motor or replaced the brushes before, so this is what you can expect if you are doing this for the first time.
Ok, so I've been wanting to do a how to guide for a while and this is a doozie! yup, 5th Bow Motor Repair!! If your 5th bow is getting stuck or not retracting your soft top in the storage compartment, the is a high probability that the brushes in the 5th bow motor are worn out. My how to will show you how to replace these brushes... The brushes can be bought online and they are the same ones used in the tutorial for fixing a sticking window motor, in fact this is pretty much the same as that, only easier!
What you'll need before you start.
1) A couple of hours spare time
2) A right angled (90 degree) phillips head screwdriver (or really short screwdriver)
3) Pair of suitable brushes got mine from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/MBS5-Stand-Up-.../dp/B001BHLX0W )
4) Small socket set (not 100% needed but useful)
5) Soldering Iron, Flux and Solder
6) Scissors
7) Egg Box and Double Sided Sticky Tape (just messing!)
8) Electrical Contact Cleaner and Rag
9) Fine sand paper (the wives nail file would do!)
10) A couple of band aids just in case!
The whole process took me a couple of hours with help from domrvt (cheers dude!)
Ok first you want to cram yourself inside your Zee (if you are over 6ft I feel for you!) Everything from this point is in picture format so .....
Once I got the motor back in the car I re-attached the electrical harness and press the button for the roof, and voila! it worked, then put it all back together, now my roof works flawlessly! Hope this How To was of help to those (like me) who were facing a $1000 plus repair job! this only cost me a couple of hours and about $10.
Cheers, feel free to re-post this on any other forums that you know of where people are having the same issue!!!
If you have any questions please message me. This is my first how to, so feedback is welcome.
BlueBadge
PS You will notice that I didn't re-lube the components as I didn't have any grease on hand, but I definitely recommend it! (i'll do mine later!)
The model featured is my 2004 Touring Roadster, Current mileage is about 123k and I have never cleaned this motor or replaced the brushes before, so this is what you can expect if you are doing this for the first time.
Ok, so I've been wanting to do a how to guide for a while and this is a doozie! yup, 5th Bow Motor Repair!! If your 5th bow is getting stuck or not retracting your soft top in the storage compartment, the is a high probability that the brushes in the 5th bow motor are worn out. My how to will show you how to replace these brushes... The brushes can be bought online and they are the same ones used in the tutorial for fixing a sticking window motor, in fact this is pretty much the same as that, only easier!
What you'll need before you start.
1) A couple of hours spare time
2) A right angled (90 degree) phillips head screwdriver (or really short screwdriver)
3) Pair of suitable brushes got mine from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/MBS5-Stand-Up-.../dp/B001BHLX0W )
4) Small socket set (not 100% needed but useful)
5) Soldering Iron, Flux and Solder
6) Scissors
7) Egg Box and Double Sided Sticky Tape (just messing!)
8) Electrical Contact Cleaner and Rag
9) Fine sand paper (the wives nail file would do!)
10) A couple of band aids just in case!
The whole process took me a couple of hours with help from domrvt (cheers dude!)
Ok first you want to cram yourself inside your Zee (if you are over 6ft I feel for you!) Everything from this point is in picture format so .....
Once I got the motor back in the car I re-attached the electrical harness and press the button for the roof, and voila! it worked, then put it all back together, now my roof works flawlessly! Hope this How To was of help to those (like me) who were facing a $1000 plus repair job! this only cost me a couple of hours and about $10.
Cheers, feel free to re-post this on any other forums that you know of where people are having the same issue!!!
If you have any questions please message me. This is my first how to, so feedback is welcome.
BlueBadge
PS You will notice that I didn't re-lube the components as I didn't have any grease on hand, but I definitely recommend it! (i'll do mine later!)
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lauderdale
Dude, I gotta tell you...you just saved me 2,200.00 from the dealership! I did it just like you said in about 3 hours. The brushes were still in fair shape, but dirty dirty dirty. I cleaned them up really good, reinstalled and the top works freakin awesome. I ordered a few sets of the brushes from Amazon for the future. You Rock
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: White Pigeon, Michigan
Thanks to the OP for posting this. I removed my SIL's motor and replaced the brushes. I checked with an ohm meter between the end of the brush and the metal lead (1" lead that is inserted into the main unit) and then checked the other brush. Both checked. Followed the OP's advice and assembled the white plastic and shaft and then re-installed. The small cog turned when the spindle was turned. Got the cover on and everything screwed together. Installed the motor and when I go to open the top all I hear is a "click". Took the motor out and checked the continuity between the two leads that the plug is connected to (plug only has 2 wires). These have continuity between them. I was a little suprised as I would think one is 12V and the other is gnd and can be flipped to generate the forward and reverse of the motor.
Has anyone had a similar problem or checked with an ohm meter for continuity between the 2 main connectors (one row has 2 and the other row has 4 connectors - row with two is where the plug wires connect).
Thanks
UPDATE ----
I hooked up a 9V battery and the small cog turned. Reversed the polarity and the small cog reversed direction. So I believe I have the motor assembled and repaired correctly. What could be causing the motor to not "spin" the mating system in the car?
Has anyone had a similar problem or checked with an ohm meter for continuity between the 2 main connectors (one row has 2 and the other row has 4 connectors - row with two is where the plug wires connect).
Thanks
UPDATE ----
I hooked up a 9V battery and the small cog turned. Reversed the polarity and the small cog reversed direction. So I believe I have the motor assembled and repaired correctly. What could be causing the motor to not "spin" the mating system in the car?
I've installed the motor properly but eventually the 5th bow motor starts clicking constantly and won't move. I've removed it and inspected the nylon gear inside the motor. It looked as if the clicking resulted from the spindle pushing away from the nylon gear.
Just from looking at the situation, I'm wondering if the timing on the rails is off.
Does anyone have this same issue or resolved this problem?
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: PA
5th bow motor
Blue Badge you are awesome ...I replaced the brushes in mine and it works great thank you for all your info...Have a question for anyone..the motors that lift the roof back out of the lid are getting sluggish also...where are these located ???? and are they the same style motor ???
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Hi,
First, excuse my English language.
I need help. I repaired the motor as explained. It worked for two weeks. I removed and tested, all ok but now It doesn't activate when I push the button.
Is there any kind of sensor?
Same problem as JollyJ3.....(three posts before)
First, excuse my English language.
I need help. I repaired the motor as explained. It worked for two weeks. I removed and tested, all ok but now It doesn't activate when I push the button.
Is there any kind of sensor?
Same problem as JollyJ3.....(three posts before)
Last edited by Andre Lapouble; Jun 27, 2014 at 10:46 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Hi,
First, excuse my English language.
I need help. I repaired the motor as explained. It worked for two weeks. I removed and tested, all ok but now It doesn't activate when I push the button.
Is there any kind of sensor?
Same problem as JollyJ3.....(three posts before)
First, excuse my English language.
I need help. I repaired the motor as explained. It worked for two weeks. I removed and tested, all ok but now It doesn't activate when I push the button.
Is there any kind of sensor?
Same problem as JollyJ3.....(three posts before)
He thinks that is due to improper installation.
Is there anykind of procedure to follow when we re-install the motor?
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: PA
Andre,try tapping on the motor(the gold colored part) with something like a small hammer or the handle of a screwdriver...mine did the same thing,i tapped it with a hammer and it started working again brushes in motor may be stuck
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Looks like a faulty switch who doesn't tell the motor to lift the 5th bow.
My stupid motor is still giving me problems after I replaced the brushes. It goes 95% of the way down then stops!!! I just want to get rid of my vert and buy the hard top instead 
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: White Pigeon, Michigan
So you are saying the repaired motor was "clicking" when you tried to put the top down. Then you disconnected the battery and it started working again?
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 115
Likes: 16
From: Kentucky
Ok guys, so now it's time for me to reach out for your help! anyone who is still subscribed to my how to thread I am in serious need of some help!... so here we go...
I recently passed through Kansas and got caught up in a hailstorm the likes i've never seen before! we are talking baseball size chunks of hail plummeting from the skies! anyway long story short... my zee took a beating windshield annihilated, hood destroyed and and front fenders all dinged up. Needless to say my insurance company paid out to get it back to ship shape condition , so what's the problem I hear you ask?... well... when the autoglass company came out to repair the windshield they managed to snap in two the drivers side window pillar molding, basically it's the plastic exterior part that covers the left window pillar (see photo below)
If anyone knows of someone parting/breaking a 350z roadster, please shoot me their details. As I cannot find one of these anywhere! Ebay sells them but they are drop shipped from Nissan dealers and I have contacted the sellers and they even say that they can no longer get the part even if it is showing available on ebay. So all my Zee Convertible owners please keep your eyes open and let me know if you find one or know of one being parted, many thanks in advance, and I really hope someone can help.
Cheers BB
I recently passed through Kansas and got caught up in a hailstorm the likes i've never seen before! we are talking baseball size chunks of hail plummeting from the skies! anyway long story short... my zee took a beating
windshield annihilated, hood destroyed and and front fenders all dinged up. Needless to say my insurance company paid out to get it back to ship shape condition , so what's the problem I hear you ask?... well... when the autoglass company came out to repair the windshield they managed to snap in two the drivers side window pillar molding, basically it's the plastic exterior part that covers the left window pillar (see photo below)If anyone knows of someone parting/breaking a 350z roadster, please shoot me their details. As I cannot find one of these anywhere! Ebay sells them but they are drop shipped from Nissan dealers and I have contacted the sellers and they even say that they can no longer get the part even if it is showing available on ebay. So all my Zee Convertible owners please keep your eyes open and let me know if you find one or know of one being parted, many thanks in advance, and I really hope someone can help.
Cheers BB
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: White Pigeon, Michigan
You would probably have better luck and more views if you created a new thread for your problem BB.
There are still people in this thread trying to solve their convertible top problem.
There are still people in this thread trying to solve their convertible top problem.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 115
Likes: 16
From: Kentucky
Just PM me on this topic, don't post in here. Thanks.
I actually did post this in the appropriate section of the forums but got zero response, in fact, so far you have been the only person to even make a comment. My logic behind posting in my own thread was that I have a convertible and that anyone reading this thread pretty much is going to have a convertible, and since my thread has had over 21,000 views since I started it, I guessed that someone might have seen a 350z conv in a breakers yard as well all need parts every now and again! (plus i'm getting desperate! lol)There is no need to respond to this thread on this matter again, I forgot to mention in my previous post just to pm me if you have any info on the subject.
Please continue to post anything in here you need that is roof related and I will do my best to answer.
Thanks for the comment.
BB