GmanSC

Hi all,
I am a new owner of the 2007 SC430. I wonder how reliable is the roof folding in the SC? I heard that many SC having a either mechanical or problems or electrical problem after a while? Is that true?

JohnnyCake

Welcome! You'll love this car, exp in sunny California.

A few years ago, there were lots of threads in this forum, "Boy, these tops are totally reliable." Now people are starting to have problems. Most people DON'T have problems and so they are still pretty darn reliable, but when you get to the seven year mark or so, some problems can crop up.

ShawnOk

iTrader: (1)

I've had my car for 13 years now and never had a top problem. I drop the top as much as I can, weather permitting. I do service it pretty often to try to keep it problem free. I grease the gears every year or so, and oil all the moving joints and parts. I also lubricate the rubber gaskets. A little maintenance that truly pays off for years of function, for sure.

mandyfig

ShawnOk can you please let us know where these are, the maintenance items? I would like to perform them on mine as well. Do you actually have to stop it in mid-air to get to the items that need lubrication?

TIA.

Coleroad

Ok pictures of roof location and lubrication points.

Coleroad

Ok this point notice the rear shelf needs to be up. I Luba this area with spray silicone lubricant. I do so because it doesn't attract dust and dirt. It doesn't degrade the plastic and rubber parts. This closet to the rear seat.

Coleroad

Moving to next location going towards back of car. I again lubricated this the same way as first spot.

Coleroad

Still moving toward the rear. I again lubed this area with the silicone lubricant.

Coleroad

Moving further to the rear is the main gear and drive. The drive gear looks to be plastic. I would use white lithium grease or I used a high temp ceramic grease that is also plastic safe. After I took the picture I did wipe up the grease I got on some of the surrounding areas.

Coleroad

This area I lubed again with the silicone lubricant. All the pivot points.

Coleroad

When I sprayed the lubricant. I covered the surrounding areas with a towel. I wanted to make sure didn't get any on the paint, leather, carpet, or anything else I didn't want to get it on. I a
So sprayed the hinges of the roof panels.

Coleroad

Not much you can do about the hydraulic pump. The seals in the pump wear. And the motor that runs it. All we can do is make it as easy as we can on the pump and motors.

Coleroad

This had been previously posted by habious, but here is the link again. This PDF gives you full information on the roof. It shows you every assembly.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/att...-search-74.pdf

ShawnOk

iTrader: (1)

Mandyfig, Coleroad hit the high points right on. His little DIY was the main areas that I lube and grease. He did mention the joints in the cabin near the roof too, but there aren't any photos. He hit every item that I would recommend for trouble free maintenance. Don't forget to put some protectant (i use 303 Aerospace Protector- avoid overspray) on the rubber gaskets between the areas where the roof meets the trunk and rear windshield, and all the adjacent pieces that have gaskets between each other.

Harold57

Thanks Coleroad!