Background story:
So I dropped my car on tein s techs and had them installed at a local Z shop. My toe was out of spec after the drop. Took it to a alignment shop to have it aligned and indeed the toe was out of spec. Drove it home that day and toe came back out of spec (steering wheel to the right, Z is going straight). Went back the next day to get it fixed and they said the toe was perfect, nothing wrong with it. When I left the alignment shop the toe was back into spec?? As I was driving a little longer I hit a bump and the toe came back out of spec. At that point I was stunned and thought something was seriously wrong maybe a bolt wasnt tight. So I jack up the car today to see whats going on amazed to see what I found. Im not sure what this bolt/nut is but I know its not suppose to be so loose where its hanging on by the LAST thread. The cotter pin thats suppose to be in the bolt holding the nut in was totally gone. In these pics I had already tightened up that bolt so its not going to look loose but you can see the cotter pin thats suppose to be there is missing. Another question is do you remove that nut/bolt when installing the front springs or when your doing an alignment on the car? I want to know which shop was responsible so I know not to go back there. Could this of caused any long term damage to suspension parts?

 

I see string. What is the string for?

 

Something that got caught in the wheel I guess I pulled it all out though

 

Thats the one i pull when removing the struts, and yes it should be tight. Bring it back for an alignment.

BTW just because the steering wheel isnt straight, doesn't mean the toe is out. If you tell a shop the toe is out cause the wheel is straight, they will think your the common idiot.

Get it aligned again , and tell them the balljoint on the LCA was never tight.

 

Should be torqued 75-94 foot pounds. See page 8

http://www.myzroadster.com/files/200...manual/fsu.pdf

Remember, any castle nut or stud with a hole for a cotterpin is a safety item. In otherwords, if that came apart, you would have a very bad day.

 

The alignment guy told me the steering wheel not straight is a toe issue Just going off what he said. Also, you said that you take that bolt out to remove the struts? Im guessing the shop who installed my springs is the one that left it loose. Phreakdout in other words your saying I should get a replacement cotter pin yes? The nut was on its last thread before it would of came out.

 

Spring installer left the nut loose: I could see that happening. Sloppy, but people make mistakes.

As for the cotter pin, yes, the spring installer probably has a huge box of them. Just put one in and bend the tips outward. It's good you didn't ignore the alignment.

The link to the full service manual has a good illustration on toe measurement. It should have instructions on how an alignment guys would adjust this. I haven't done this or looked at it. I know how on the rear, but you'll need to look up the front.

Good Luck to 'Ya

 

I have a 30 day warranty on alignment so I can take it back to them

Thanks for all the replies. I love my350z

 

where did you do your alignment at?

 

butler tire in buckhead.