kbsig106, If you've done the final repair and the feathering is back I'd seriously think about sending that settlement offer directly to Nissan before you go to arbitration. Better for Nissan to voluntarily buy it back and not have it re-titled as a lemon where it becomes a liability more than an assett. Better for you because of less hassle. Either way I don't doubt that you'll win your case.

 

I may be incorrect but I think any time an auto manufacture buy's one back it has to be disclosed and titled as a lemon? Please correct me if I am wrong.
Mark

 

Great idea!!! Thanks...

I'm going to talk to a Attorney friend of mine this weekend and see if I can pay him to just write a letter on my behalf. That way if I need to hire him, I've already established a case with him.

 

Dropped off my '03 track for the feathering issue and seat click today. Had it since 6/03. Tires are seriously roaring during slow down, or even sustained speeds around 20 mph. Service advisor, I think he lied about who he was, felt the tires, and stated, "they don't feel that bad." and he also came up with a well known gem, "you know, the tires aren't supposed to be real quiet on this car." I calmly told him I knew that, and that it wasn't a case of loud tire noise.

I wonder why he lied about being someone he wasn't. Oh well, I'll get my answer this afternoon. When I spoke to my advisor wednesday afternoon about this, he told me he's seen hundreds of Z's come in and very few with the feathering problem, and that the alignment should fix it. Sounds like I may have to go the hard way to get this resolved. They are acting as if they made the car and I'm bashing their ability to build a car correctly. Jeez, just fix it.

 

Fellas..... take a look a the thread titled "New TSB for Tire Feathering". I got some very useful information from NNA yesterday and put my findings on that post. Best information I have heard in a long time.

 

Mark,

I made a call to the Florida AG and was told that, at least in this State (Florida), if the Manufacturer voluntarily buys the car back outside of arbitration or litigation then it is not retitled as a lemon and the Manufacturer has a free and clear title. He also added that this is usually worth $5000-$7000 "negotiating power" to you, the consumer.

Mike

 

Mike
Ok,thanks I was not aware they could buy it back that way.
Thanks Mark

 

I just spoke with Jim Blenkarn, Senior Engineer, Product Engineering Investigations, NNA. This is the same engineer that came to Ann Arbor, Michigan in December '03 on the 'What front end issue" tour. Per him, there is to be a letter sent to each owner (I assume those with the tire issue only) 'within the month' regarding the tire wear issue. He was not willing to provide any details. He was unwilling to say anything else regarding anything.

I am almost feeling vendictive enough to post his phone / fax # and his e-mail address. I think I will wait for the letter hoping it is a serious response to our concerns.

 

I assume you are referring to the Japanese Engineer Traveling Show and Mr. Blenkarn was part of their entourage, representing NNA? They were to issue the Report referred to many times, but not forthcoming until now? I'm a member of the world-wide fax, including our VIN#s, sent to all Nissan Offices and Senior staff asking for relief and we may be included in Nissan's mailing? Just looking for clarification if you have it.

Boomer

 

Agree with Mark. I also filed in Georgia in September and I too am waiting for a court date. The tires were repalced at 9400 and cupping is back at 15K. dealership still insists there is no fix on the horizon. Things are not getting better and Nissan seems to maintain the stall on repair.

 

In Georgia we go back to either the milage when the condition first appeared (1400) or when we actually filed the lemon law (9400) My car now has 15,500.

 

Got the car back at around 5:00 pm today. I checked and they did the tire swap correctly, however, they also swapped the rims from side to side too. I double checked to make sure they swapped the tires correctly. First impression is good, as the tire roar is not as prevalent, but still there somewhat.

Service advisor said over the phone they performed the TSB as outlined, and it took all day because he had his alignment "specialist" do all four wheels, and had to wait for his tire/rim "specialist" to do the swap. (I advised him when I dropped off the car that I did not want any scratches on my rims or else! and asked if he had the right equipment for 18" wheels and he assured me they did) He didn't fix the seat click, because they were unable to reproduce it. I told him there was TSB for it, and he said, "Oh, there is? well, that's good." I told him about the TSB when I dropped it off in the morning...good grief. Another trip next week for that.

Think I should contact NNA and open a file for the feathering?? I'm afraid it'll come back and I'll need documentation, right?

OH well, all is good for now. Oh, by the way, the service advisor said since the TSB was performed, "the feathering will not return." Hope he keeps his word.

 

That's funny - Not

Yes get with NNA, as the wowowoow will be back soon. in less than 2000... You will need a set of new tires... Humm what is your VIN?

Cheers Amy -

 

One and the same. I am on that fax /mail letter to Nissan also. From what I was told by Jim there will be a letter sent. I did not clarify if it was to be sent to all owners or only those that have stated they have an issue with regards to tire wear. Either way, the first owner to recieve this communication should try to post it on one of these sites. It would be helpful to any that do not recieve it (I hope).

I realy hope thes 'letter' is a true solution and not an attempt to bury the issue.

 

(portions also posted at zcar.com)

I was doing a search based on a post over there, another individual claiming to have the "ultimate answer", and came across this article:

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/tr/tr129622.htm

Here is a really interesting quote:

“Some low profile tires (mostly performance tires), tend to develop uneven wear patterns because of their belt and tread design. As the tire rolls along, the deflection and squirming of the tread produces harmonics that cause certain areas of the tread or ribs to wear more than others. The wear pattern can be further compounded by other factors such as toe misalignment, wheel imbalance, wheel runout, underinflation or lack of rotation. After awhile, a "heel and toe" or "washboard" wear pattern may develop that generates annoying noise and vibrations at speeds above 40 mph. Once the wear pattern is established, it's too late to reverse it by rotating the tires. So the only cure you can recommend is to replace the tires and possibly switch to another brand or style that is less "quirky."”

This is totally in line with your thinking Boomer.

On the other hand, I also came across several other articles, descriptions and explanations for heel and toe type feathering patterns, none of which agree on the cause or solution. Here are a couple of links:

http://www.discounttire.com/dtc/broc...kAlignment.jsp

"Incorrect Caster Setting - Excessive shoulder wear; tread blocks show "heel-toe" wear pattern."

I've seen more than one reference to this, particularly when combined with a toe problem.

http://www.justtires.com/faq/tireProblems.html

"Sawtooth Edges: MISALIGNMENT
Do the edges of the tread take on a sawtooth or feathered appearance? This is caused by erratic scrubbing against the road. The solution is toe-in or toe-out alignment correction."

The "classic" Nissan explanation.

Conclusion; I had no idea before this exercise and I still have no idea. In fact, I may actually be more confused now. I can only say that I am happy that this is Nissan's problem to fix.

I while back I also assembled a list of other vehicles outfitted with OEM RE040's. I selected one vehicle from the list, the Lexus IS300, and did some snooping. Sure enough they had a tire problem. In fact, they had a recall a while back. Unfortunately it was for "bubbles" in the sidewall. No mention that I found anywhere of heel and toe and/or cupping.

One final thought. Is the wear that we are seeing really heel and toe or is it just cupping? Or is it both? An inspection of my tires reveals that the inner and outer tread blocks are definitely scalloped. You can't see it but you can feel it. On the other hand, the tread blocks are also higher on one end and lower on the other. More questions than answers I know. Is it just me or do you guys think I am obsessing a bit too much over this tire problem? On a postive note, if Nissan can't or won't fix the car at the final repair attempt, I've got the wife talked into letting me get an M3. It's the only thing I could find to replace the Z that I would be happy with and it's not THAT much more. I paid a little over 36k (Touring withy every option). If I get a stripped down M AND manage to get one near invoice, if that's possible, it's only 5k more. She has made it known however, that if I keep the Z then SHE is getting an M. What's up with that? Maybe I can talk her into a trade based on the fact that the Z has a superior sound system? Not likely? Ok, then the Z looks cooler.


edit: sorry correcting my bad grammer.

 

That ten minute edit limit sucks. Nissan hasn't been able to fix the suspension in two years and I only have 10 minutes to get my post right?

 

If I get a letter, I'll post it or spread the news if someone else posts. I certainly hope this step is something reasonable we can live with and end all the rancor, I'm tired of being angry.

 

I didn't mean to imply that you ever said the you had the ultimate answer Boomer. I would have fixed it were it not for the stupid 10 minute time limit.

 

I rejected the M3 and bought the Z. Isn't it strange? BTW, I read a road test of the Lexus when it was new and the ride with the 040s was described as edgy, brittle almost. That is exactly how the 040s felt to me when I first picked it up. Like it was on its toes, balancing before takeoff. Great if all you want to do is race, but tiring everyday. Watchout for the E46 M3, the ride is described as harsh by some, the first M series car I've read that about it. Even the M5 has a supple ride. I would take a long test drive on all kinds of pavement.

 

No offense taken, don't worry about any such implication. We are all angry or bewildered by this issue and Nissan's inability to deal with it in a business-like manner. I don't have the problem and it still makes me angry when I hear another ridiculous excuse for an answer. I have to move on, life's too short. Good luck, OZ. I hope you get what you need.