I have an '04 roadster, 12/03 build date. The feathering showed up at 9000 miles. It took them 4 weeks to get the new tires and I had them put on yesterday, along with a new alignment. I have pics on the roadster forum of the new and old tires, so you can see the new tread pattern. The service manager told me that they were extending the warranty on the tires and alignment to 75000 miles. My previous experiences with high hp RWD cars ('93 Supra TT, '89,95,96 911s, 01E55) has been that I go through 2+ sets of rears before I need fronts. I usually change the fronts with every other pair of rears and have yet to wear out fronts, that is until I got my Z
rich
rich

 

I would think that since people are succeeding with LL and BBB suits, and there is the threat of a class action suit, that Nissan would be anxious to find a remedy to this problem. Hopefully the experience that Richardew is having will apply to all Z owners affected by this issue. Does anyone know if the G35 or the FX45 is having similar issues? If they are not, then there should be permanent fix for this problem. After all, this is a generic platform for Nissan (FM platform). I gotta think that the design allows for a wide variety of suspension setups (SUV and sports car.... Hmmm...). If the other models are having the same issues... that would be really bad news for the Z.... i.e. major design flaw, they'll be able to fix the overall design, but no permanent fix for us. As far as Nissan knowing about the problem and selling the cars anyway, does anyone have any proof? This is a brand new platform for them, is it so hard to believe they have a few bugs to work out? I specifically did not get a '03 because it was the first model year and a new platform... Guess I didn't wait long enough. :|

 

There is no problem with the FX tires that I am aware of. I have 33,00+ miles on mine. One big difference with the FX is that you can rotate the tires as they are all the same size. The FM platform is shortened on the Z and extended on the FX. I imagine that many of the suspension components are also different (shocks, springs etc). I took delivery of my car in February, well after the problem was known to Nissan, and I can't understand why they didn't adjust the alignment prior to delivery. I suspect that they know there is no "fix" for the problem, and the problem would occur anyway.
rich

 

Well, that's kinda my point. The FX definitely has different suspension components. If the FX is not having a tire wear problem, the issue with the Z is either a combination of suspension components and the FM platform, or a configuration issue with the suspension/alignment. If either is true, then offending suspension component could be replaced, or adjusted respectively. If the problem is in the design of the platform, there is no fix (short of replacing the platform/frame of the car). It sounds like Nissan thinks the issue can be resolved by adjusting the suspension and or alignment. If this is not the case, the next step would be to replace part of the suspension. That would cost a *LOT* of money compared to replacing tires and making adjustments. The real question is not whether or not there is a fix, but rather is the fix so expensive that it would cost more to fix it right than to placate a fairly small group of people? Law suits, tires and service could add up to a lot of money, hopefully more than the cost of fixing the problem.

 

Would changing the shocks, springs, wheels, and tires do anything to help? If not completely do away with the problem, at least prolong it to maybe 20K miles per set of front tires rather than 9-12K?

 

It's unclear what the issue is exaclty. The problem is most likely geometery combined with spring and dampening rates. I'm guessing that guys who have changed springs and shocks are still experiencing this problem. Anyone out there change springs, shocks or both and still have the problem? One thing is for certain, if you change any one of those things on your own Nissan will have grounds to deny all warranty claims for the tire wear problem.

 

I just got my Z back today .They replaced the front tires again (3rd set) and aligned.Now when I get to high speeds 70 and above my front end dont seem stiff like I can weave back and forth and when you steer right and back left it still seems like it wants to go right for a second and same thing the other way.Does anybody know what this could be?It basically seems like it doesnt stick to the pavement like it did before.

 

Mine is in right now for the feathering issue.. they said no worries we will fix it...

mine keep pulling right, at 40MPH huge vibration noises, hit the breaks even louder noises...

I just took it in for an oil change and they alerted me to the feathering in the front tires, I then said well yes I have some issue I would like to explain, they listen and said yep waranty repair issue, Nissan will handle them..

My 350 =11K miles
I asked about Mobile 1 Oil
They also said would be a good time if I wanted to switch to "Mobile One" ???


Also I asked about the Breaking Issue I have, I go to the track and on the straight, I hit about 115MPH there is a medium right I hit the breaks and the rear end wobbles like your towing a Uhaul trailer... Feels very unusual...

 

why sholud you switch to mobile one oil and why would the dealership suggest that, the3cleaner?

2003 silver touring
6 spd

 

Are you sure it was fixed with the 2004.5 models?

 

Yes. Later 2004 models have the problem resolved. I'm just not sure when specifically in the model year they fixed it. I spoke to the service manager at the Nissan dealer near my house when I brought my car in to get the fronts replaced. He said that they had "fixed" the problem on newer '04's.

-Chris

 

I was wondering the same thing. ChrisMCagle, is there any information that backs up this statement? In other words, no one with a 2004.5 has had feathering problems (yet at least) ???

 

Not that I have read or heard about.

 

SW Baker Jackson Nissan in Houston, talk to any of the technicians - They have seen several 04.5s with it too. In fact, they even SHOWED me a car built in 5/04 that had feathering at 4.5k.

NzZ

 

Chris, so the service manager at a Nissan dealer near your house said that they had "fixed" the problem on newer '04's. Above seems to indicate this isn't so (5/04 feathering @ 4.5k). Any owners of 2004.5's with feathering want to chime in? Anyone else speak to anyone at Hissan or a dealer that told them the issue was fixed?

Thing is, if they really have "fixed it" -then there should be a definitive known cause of it (which I haven't personally sorted out and figured out through reading many posts on the issue), and likewise a definitive FIX for the issue (which to my knowledge there isn't). Chris, ask him what (exactly) was "fixed" on the 2004.5 or different (I have a feeling they won't be able to answer this).

(Note: I'm not doubting you or trying to be combative - if it seems that way, just trying to see if there are facts involved.)

 

I have an appointment for Monday to get my front tires replaced (they finally came in). I'll ask him about the 2004.5's and what exactly they fixed. I'll let you all know what he says.

-Chris

 

there are reports on this forum of 04.5s with feathering. i believe the fix (euro suspension) was to address the excessive bounce.

 

nm

 

I wonder if Nissan isn't going to bother to fix the problem in '05 while promoting the new Euro-tuned suspension leaving the impression they've fixed it. That way they can continue to profit selling a product they know to be defective.

Face it, here we are well into August. The '05 Zs must be in production because they'll be hitting the dealer lots in little over a month. So, the suspension going into the '05s is a known quantity by now -- to Nissan execs. Yet, you can't get squat out of Nissan. I sent them an email in late July and their reply was to essentially say they have no information.

 

Well... I'm of to pick up my baby at the Nissan Dealer. I dropped it off this morning and they called around 2:00 to let me know that the new tires and alignment were complete. Hopefully I won't have to worry about it again for a while. Maybe by that time Nissan will have pulled their collective heads out of their a$$es and come up with a final solution to the problem (if there even is one).

-Chris