S28DKM Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 Evening all, I have a had a little search and can't find a thread with anyone else experiencing this problem! I have recently purchased a 350z Roadster and I love the car was always my poster car as a teenager! The issue I am experiencing is as follows; when looking at the front of the car you can tell the passenger side of the roof site about 3/5mm higher than the driver's side - not much of an issue you'd think. Then I was on the motorway today going a steady 80 and 'pop' that side of the roof unlocked and popped open! I dealt with it fairly well but shook the wife up a bit...no going to sleep for her in the Z anymore! Anyone every had any knowledge of this on the Z's or any other manual 'lock in' roadsters? My initial thoughts are it is something to do with the locking mechanism on the passenger's side not locking as 'tightly' as the driver's. Other than this the car is excellent for a 13 year only vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 Starting point would be to operate the roof open and close handle and check that the 3 x locking levers are operating properly. Also when closing the roof, perhaps if you pull the roof down before you lock the roof in the closed position may help. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 i also try to lock my front latch, before the rear section has folded back down, as then its not tensioned 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S28DKM Posted July 31, 2018 Author Share Posted July 31, 2018 Hi Both thank you so much for these replies. I pull the roof down to lock in at the moment but doing so with the back still up as Paul suggested is a good idea. I will give that a go tonight and take pictures videos if issue still the same. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S28DKM Posted July 31, 2018 Author Share Posted July 31, 2018 Thank you both for the advice. I have completed both but still no joy. I have attached pictures to the thread to show and you can see it sits slightly higher when 'locked in' Does anyone know of someone near to the west midlands they have used in the past? Have you every had any issues Paul? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willsy1980 Posted August 1, 2018 Share Posted August 1, 2018 Looks like it is coming up short, a little bent and twisted out of shape too. Has that had a new skin at some point ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S28DKM Posted August 1, 2018 Author Share Posted August 1, 2018 Hi Willsy, Not as far as I am aware it is the original skin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willsy1980 Posted August 1, 2018 Share Posted August 1, 2018 (edited) Definitely looks to be about 3-4mm short of where it should be on the front edge, barely any of the rubber seal is visible on mine. Looks as thought the drives side catch is locking in and the passenger side is missing. So it's looks pulled to one side. I think you can adjust the roller catches on each side ? Edit: found this https://workshop-manuals.com/nissan/350z/v6-3.5l_(vq35hr)/body_and_frame/roof_and_associated_components/convertible_top/convertible_top_latch/component_information/adjustments/page_7475/ Hope this helps.... Edited August 1, 2018 by Willsy1980 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S28DKM Posted August 1, 2018 Author Share Posted August 1, 2018 Wow thank you Willsy, I will have a go tomorrow adjusting the rollers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willsy1980 Posted August 1, 2018 Share Posted August 1, 2018 No worries, looking at that you may need to adjust the lock rods behind the plastic trim on the top. At least with it stripped, you can see if both are actuating as they should when you crank the handle. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S28DKM Posted August 2, 2018 Author Share Posted August 2, 2018 Update! I have located the problem. Turns out is just have been an underlying one when I purchased as the trim had been neatly cut just to expose the side in question. Popped it off, had a little bit of a fiddle around. The left 'hook' is very weak and has a lot of give it it when locked, once locked it. A little push up on the roof and it pops out. Have attempted tightening but irrelevant as it's the actual hook that's gone. So really only option I see is to get a new lock in mechanism. Looks fairly straightforward to change. Which leads me onto the next question of where is best to get one from.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted August 3, 2018 Share Posted August 3, 2018 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted August 3, 2018 Share Posted August 3, 2018 One piece I am afraid: Preowned: £250.00 New: circa £1000.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willsy1980 Posted August 3, 2018 Share Posted August 3, 2018 (edited) Good to see you found the problem quite easily. But that new price of £1000 is bloody hefty Edited August 3, 2018 by Willsy1980 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S28DKM Posted August 4, 2018 Author Share Posted August 4, 2018 Thanks Zman, are the pre-owned tested etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 53 minutes ago, S28DKM said: Thanks Zman, are the pre-owned tested etc? No, not tested as they came off a Roadster that was undrivable due to accident damage. Even so, I would not have tested anyway as I have never come across this issue before. Still not quite grasping what is actually wrong with your "weak" hook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S28DKM Posted August 4, 2018 Author Share Posted August 4, 2018 Hi Zman The passenger component as what can only be described as lost its rigidity. Once roof is locked if you sit in the passenger seat and apply a small amount of pressure to the side of the roof, that side disengages even though the mechanism as a whole is still locked. The hook moves when it should be locked hence the weak. Have taken a video but can't upload on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willsy1980 Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Having not seen one off the car, i'd guess there is a cam/mech behind the lock lever. Probably has a crappy plastic part that has worn out or a metal one that is bent. I'd bite the bullet on the mech from Alex for £250. If the roof pops fully open while driving, it's going to cost a damn sight more to fix than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S28DKM Posted August 7, 2018 Author Share Posted August 7, 2018 Hi Willsy Yeah totally agree looks like may have to bite the bullet. Alex, where are you based and how much to post to West Midlands? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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