Doggman9

I'm fairly sure it is. How do I fix it? I obviously need new tires to get rid of the ridiculous roar from 10-25mph that has gotten significantly worse over the past 3 months but I would like to prevent this from happening to the new tires.

Tires are directional General GMAX AS-03 (not my choice, came with car) 245/35/19 275/35/19. 19x9.5 front 19x10.5 rear. Moving to non-directional max performance summer tires next... 265/275 S-04 poles or MPSS's but they been backordered for months now.

I posted my alignment from March 2015. I'm lowered to the bottom of KW's recommended range on KW V1's. All stock alignment equipment.

I am going to get my alignment checked to see if it has worked its way out over the past year but should I get them to reduce toe in the front? Is 0 toe up front the trick for eliminating tire feathering?

I realize the extra camber up front increases inside tread wear but it shouldn't cause the feathering, correct? Thus, adjustable UCA's won't help this issue?

I read through some of the 207 page tire feathering thread but ended up writing this regardless.

I'd appreciate anyones thoughts on the matter.

Syner

Yes, that's feathering.

My alignment is kept at the updated specs from Nissan and I don't have an issue.

Doggman9

Update for future readers.

My alignment had fairly significantly worked it's way out over the course of 1 year. I've attached the readings. Toe had gotten out of control in the front and rear which I believe was the direct cause of the tire feathering. It's back in spec now and I plan to get it checked every 6 months from here on out.

P.S. - I finally got my new tires that I have been waiting on for way too long. 265/275 Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Incredible tires. Absolutely blowing my old Generals out of the water which isn't entirely surprising but none the less. Road noise has been severely reduced. The roar at low speeds and under braking is completely gone and it's nothing short of bliss at this point.

DaveJackson

iTrader: (5)

What "updated specs from Nissan"? Do you have a link to this? What years are affected?

DaveJackson

iTrader: (5)

So... What is the magic fix for this? The 9,999 page sticky thread does not answer this.
1.) Magic toe and camber settings that are outside of the normal specs?
2.) Upgraded, stiffer bushings and suspension parts?
3.) Only buy _______ tires?
4.) There is no fix. Live with it & buy cheap tires?
5.) Other?

Syner

Jesus. I can't take a vacation?

Feathering was originally caused by bad alignment specs from factory. Nissan updated them in 2004 and the issue was fixed. But I've heard some smaller shops still use the original specs.

DaveJackson

iTrader: (5)

OK, so how do you know if you're getting the new specs? I had an alignment done at a Nissan dealer a few years ago and I've still baked through a set of front tires from feathering. Plus, the moron dealer had "never heard of any feathering issues, ever" which was reassuring.
I'm assuming that I got the new specs and that doesn't truly fix it.
Thoughts?

Syner

Could be? From what I heard, all the dealerships were using new?

I get an alignment every spring, and every spring it's out of spec. And I put less than 5000km on the car/season.

Syner

To add:
http://www.nissantireproblems.com/autoweek-tsb.html

It looks like the TSB only covered 2003 models - though many 2004 owners had the same problem. I've also found conflicting reports of whether or not the FSM is correct (FSU-21 and RSU-18).

DaveJackson

iTrader: (5)

Now we're getting somewhere. Something is fishy if it can't maintain alignment for only 5000km...

Doggman9

My theory/conclusion is that 350Z's can't hold alignments well. Never have, never will, for whatever reason. The updated specs from Nissan in the early years was probably just damage control. It's pretty obvious that even newer 350Z's with the updated specs from day 1 will develop the feathering issue. We know the feathering issue is directly related to toe so in the end it comes down to the simple fact that 350Z's develop excess toe under normal driving conditions at a significant rate.

The solution: get your 350Z aligned every year at a minimum. the more frequent the better. once a set of tires are feathered getting an alignment won't repair them... at that point best you can do is swap them side to side, so preventing excess toe in the first place with frequent alignments is the way to go.

DaveJackson

iTrader: (5)

That will very likely cost more than the tires you would've ruined...

Doggman9

Just part of owning a 350Z the way I see it. You can get lifetime alignments (every 6 months or 6,000 miles) at Firestone for less than $200. I can't remember the exact price.

Syner

Agreed. Unfortunately I don't have a solution other than a full after market suspension or regular alignments.

This is the way I see it as well - thinking of it as regular maintenance like an oil change takes away some of the sting.

What years are your cars? Mine is a 2004.5

Doggman9

Mine is a 2006 6MT touring with 80k miles. All stock suspension except KW V1's and swaybars.

DaveJackson

iTrader: (5)

Mine is a 2003.

NVhim

I also have a 2004 with the KW V1 coilovers but with some Z1 front upper control arms and after maybe 5000 miles my LF tire is feathering badly too. I'm hoping to find a shop open this weekend to get another alignment.