Maybe this "jitter" is caused by feathering of the outside tread. Did you notice the jitter when the tires were new?

 

If I could spend around $500 to permanently fix this problem - It would be valuable to me, as I would save a lot of time and head ache to acheive the goal. Sure Nissan should fix the problem, but damn ... the time involved in dealing with this problem alone is worth more than $500 to me. And it seems like it's going to take a class action law suit to get Nissan to actually do anything about the problem. They have had over two years now to find a solution to the problem. Don't think they haven't weighed the cost of repair (for all vehicles) vs. the cost of litigating the percentage of owners who actually complain.

They are in a catch-22 - when talking about profit on these vehicles. It is definately not a safety problem - so from a corporate perspective - there is no rush or need to spend millions of dollars to fix it. The variables they consider are:

1) Customer Loyalty - and lets face it - 99% of 350Z owners will put up with this problem for the shear joy of owning and driving the car.

2) Law Suits - OK - if they become large enough, I think they may consider settling with all owners, and issuing a permanent fix. But they will definately wait to see how the courts are leaning in this. Expect years before a real solution develops.

3) Lemon Law - Sure, they don't want lemons on their hands, but how many people will actually pursue this course of action?

4) Remaining silent and nit-picking the problem - If they drag their feet long enough, they can simply fix the symptoms of the problem for the people who complain. Eventually (after two years, or whatever) - they won't have to do a damn thing. And if it goes to court - then see number 2.

The most cost effective solution for Nissan at this point is number 4. The most expensive solution for Nissan is number 2, and they will only spend the money if forced to do so. Number 1 really isn't a problem, unless you are in the class of people who can spend $50k to $70k plus for a sports car. If your not, then you will live with the problem, and like it (or fix it yourself) - because frankly, it's the best poor mans sports car on the market anywhere on the planet.

But stop kidding yourselves ... Don't you think that after two years, Nissan engineers don't know what the permanent fix is? Of course they do! They could have easily designed the entire car in less than a year - this problem is peanuts for a seasoned engineer. But if they issue a recall, they will undoubtedly have to spend $500 per vehicle to fix it. Multiply that by the number of Z's on the road, and it spells BIG FRIGGIN BUCKS!

So they are playing their cards with their best poker face at this point. Personally, I just want the problem to go away, so if someone out there actually finds an after market fix - and it's around $500, count me in. I don't have the time to dick with this anymore.

 

I have noticed this on the 215 freeway between the 15 and the 57 (new patch of freeway which opened up last year). But I haven't really noticed it on any other freeways. I always assumed it was the car feeling the abnormalities (or patterns) in the pavement.

 

I know Nissan sold about 30,000 units of the 350Z for model year 2003 in the US and if you do the math at $500 a pop that's $15,000,000 to do this tire feathering recall ...... I don't think Nissan will do it any time soon (if they decided to do it)...

 

That steering wheel shudder might be one or both of your front tires with too much toe out I believe...or was it too much toe it...I forget but I bet the alignment is too far out...Maybe set to combat the tire wear??? Does it feel like you're driving in a deep rutted highway...you know the ones that have the transport trucks lane sink ruts? That wandering feeling? Just a guess.

 

Fixing the 350Zproblem is cheaper than tires and losing Reputation and Business.

AmyCroft -


P.S. Feathering testing 2003 350Z continues. 24 Month TSB

 

Yes, this is baically how it feels. However, the effect is not as pronounced as one would expect to feel on a rutted highway. It is subtle, and if someone else were to drive the car they would very likely not notice it. For example, my wife drives the car about once a week. She has not noticed it but if I were to point it out to her she would.

Btw, TSB (tire swap, etc.) alignment specs are as follows:

Left Front
_______Actual__Before__Specified__Range
Camber_-0.60___-0.60____-1.90____-0.40
Caster___8.10___8.10_____0.60____17.10
Toe_____0.03___-0.07_____0.02____0.06
SAI____________________12.20____13.70
Included Angle___________10.30___13.30
Turning Angle Diff.________-8.00____-4.00

Right Front
______Actual_ Before__Specified__ Range
Camber__-0.70_-0.80____-1.90____-0.40
Caster___8.90__8.90_____0.60____17.10
Toe_____0.04__-0.03_____0.02____0.06
SAI___________________12.20___13.70
Included Angle ________10.30____13.30
Turning Angle Diff._______-8.00____-4.00

Front
____________Actual Before Specified Range
Cross Camber 0.10 0.10 -0.80 0.80
Cross Caster -0.70 -0.70 -0.80 0.80
Total Toe 0.07 -0.10 0.03 0.12



Left Rear Toe changed from -0.20 to 0.02
Right Rear Toe changed from -0.08 to 0.04
Specified was 0.02

The dealership did not do the alignment. They sent it across the street to Firestone. I do not know if they used a Hunter Series 611 machine. I will call today and findout.

 

You are assuming they are going to mail a recall notice to every single Z owner and ask them to come in for tire replacement. No, replacing tires on 5% of the vehicles (or however many they actually receive complaints about) is still cheaper than issuing a formal recall.

 

I took my car (VIN xxxxx410) into the dealer with New TSB in hand. They told me that even though they new I had the problem they would have to have a tech run the tests to document the problem before they could authorize/order the tires. I said ok, I'll dropit if off tomorrow.

They called me back today to tell me that they talked to their Service Manager and he said that it (the TSB) was not effective yet. there would be a recall next month with Nissan sending me a letter (I think the one attached today that would be he said he thought it would be May 14th. I said, ok, schedule me for May 14th. So I am scheduled, but who knows.

Just wanted to add my 2-cents. Anyone have a different story?

 

Did I just hear "RECALL"???

 

Not in our wildest dreams.... The whole mail out is going to be for the 24/24 on the tires and alignment. It's going to be a form letter sent to all 2003 350z owners. What's going to be funny is if I receive one since I just had my LL hearing - which BTW I should find out the results by Friday.

 

This is hilarious. My friend, I am sorry to inform you that your dealer is jerking your chain. If I were you I would go to a more reputable dealership.

 

I called the Firestone Tire Center that did the alignment. Turns out they use a Hunter 211 alignment machine. I asked him about the specified toe-in setting being different than those specified in the TSB. He said they went by what the dealer told them. (See previous post for actual alignment data) Firestone had yet to receive the 2004 publication stating the 2003 model year alignment specs.

So I called the dealership. The service advisor was not aware of the most recent TSB. I asked him why Firestone was told to set the total toe-in to 0.1 (0.07 actual) instead of 0.2 as specified in the TSB. He couldn't give me a straight answer.

However, he did say that the toe-in specified in the TSB is different than that specified in the normal service manuals. He was going to find out exactly what the settings are supposed to be and the Z goes back in tomorrow for another alignment.

Perhaps the "jitter” is a result of incorrect alignment (as suggested by superfly84zx). I will ask the service advisor about this tomorrow.

One final note - two different service advisors at this dealership (Castrucci Nissan, Dayton, Ohio) said that they have performed the TSB on several Zs and have had none come back for follow up service. Likewise, the Firestone guy said the same thing when I mentioned several people were having problems with tire feathering even after having the TSB performed.

To be continued...

 

PulpZ2:
Wrote

One final note - two different service advisors at this dealership (Castrucci Nissan, Dayton, Ohio) said that they have performed the TSB on several Zs and have had none come back for follow up service. Likewise, the Firestone guy said the same thing when I mentioned several people were having problems with tire feathering even after having the TSB performed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Er which TSB the Latest or the "B" version from last year?

The Lastest 24/24 TSB was first executed last week.

Cheers Amy -

 

The service advisor was not aware of the latest (latest 24mnth/unlimited mileage TSB).

 

Anyone on this site familar with the new RE040 design? On zcar.com there is a photo posted that shows the new design. The outer tread blocks have been modified to eliminate the edge that feathers. Has anyone here had their tires replaced with the new design? How many miles?

 

More info from Autoweek:

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=04806104


Just a FYI - still waiting for my hearing results (by snail mail).

 

Very interesting indeed. It would seem that the feathering experienced would be reduced greatly by this design change. Mine seems to have gotten the old style when replaced in Feb., but I will ask my service rep about it tomorrow as I have scheduled maintenance. Should be an interesting conversation.

Nice catch.

 

I'm getting new tires put on tomorrow by my dealership, and will check the tread block design....

They are also going to attempt to realign my rears, but they said they don't have experience with it, and will intimitly involving NNA's tech line. I don't know why, but that's what they said.

 

RE: ROBF

My 2 Cents

I didnt wait for Nissan to send me a letter, I dropped my car off early Monday before the service center opened. I had 20,980 miles on the car when I read the TSB last week. Didnt dirve it again until taking to dealer.
Will get new front tires next monday.
Service Tech knew nothing of the new TSB.

David