(replying to this insanely long thread that I can't possibly read all of)
My 04 (not 04.5) Z that I bought at end of Aug 03 now has cupping on the inner edges of the fronts. I was checking a lot before and stopped for awhile, but definitely see and feel I have it now at 14500 miles. I don't notice the extra road noise (it's pretty loud as it is) or roar when braking.

I'm going to have to hunt for good dealers around here and cross my fingers that they'll do something for me when it starts bothering me since Nissan hasn't extended the alignment warranty for us 04 folks.

 

I am still trying to find out if the problem exists in the new o5's or whether its been solved by Nissan

 

I too have a 2004. I have experienced the same problem. Nissan will do nothing at this point. The dealer knows that there is a problem and thinks that there will be something done, but did not know when. I just put 4 Goodyear Eagle F1 tires on and there is a huge difference in handling and tire noise. My front tires were making alot of noise at low speeds and braking, etc. Good luck getting Nissan to help. They insist that the problem was fixed on the 2004 model. I would register a complaint with corporate so your in the file if they do have a recall.

 

I just put F1 GS-D3s on my car yesterday as well. WOW what a difference! 16k miles on the RE-040s. Visually the fronts didn't look all that bad but they were noisy. Rear were worn to the wear bars and the front had about 5k left but I got tired of listening to them.

 

anybody out there have an 05 roadster? any problems with alignment or feathering/?

 

When you put new tires on the front, regardless of year model, do yourself a favor and save yourself potentially a lot of grief.
Get an allignment from a good independent shop that can nail the middle of the most current alignment specs.
It's no garantee but it worked for me. I suffered for 36k miles before fixing the dealer's botched alignment.

 

Very good advice.

 

My first set of fronts lasted 5K miles the replacements which were the old style RE040's have lasted 9K miles. They need to be replaced based on the sound. I have until November for my 2 year warranty to expire. Figure I will have them replaced under warranty in June, but I have a 2003 and the letter from Nissan stating that they will replace for 2 years. Since we only drive this car about 9K miles a year I figure when I get good tires on it I will be putting new fronts on every 1 1/2 years.

 

I am currently looking to buy a 2003 6mt touring model. In researching the car I found practically a million posts on the feathering topic. I hate to ask this but cannot find the answers to the questions I have. Is the feathering related to all 350Zs or predominately the 6 speeds with 18" wheels. I have read where rotating the tires left to right do not help, but what about front to rear on the cars with automatic transmissions that have four identical 17" tires? Also are there any alternatives tires that work best besides the stock Bridgestones? I apologize if this has been covered before, but I could not find this information through searching. I really want this car, but can't afford to replace tires every 5-10K miles and since it is used the warranty will be running out on it within a year.

 

There is no fix for the tire feathering, I have a 2004 base 6MT, w/ 17 inch rims. I have tire feathering, If you don't want to deal with the tire feathering don't buy the car. I want to sell my car because I don't want to deal with the tire feathering.

 

I was hoping for at least an aftermarket solution that I could live with, that sucks. I've driven a number of Zs and have loved them all, but if I buy I need it to last more than a test drive.

 

Mine's an 04 automatic w/17" wheels. You can't (or at least aren't supposed to) rotate the stock tires front to rear because the stock fronts are a different size than the stock rears. I am beginning to suffer from feathering too at ~14K miles.

 

I haven't heard about this problem with the G35 Coupe, is there something different in these two vehicles? I thought they were pretty much mechanically identical.

 

I have heard that some of the G35s do have the problem but not as bad. I have been reading the forums for days about feathering. Seems about 60% of the 03s have the problem and about 30% of the 04s. Many have had alignments and new tires including myself. Only a few got better or got rid of the problem. What seems evident is the the toe in specs are very tight. Off a little and you get feathering. I'm betting that there are a lot of techs using computerized alignment equipment that don't know how to get the specs within the tight tolerance OR the equipment has not been calibrated for awhile. Hence, the fix is difficult to attain. Several Z owners have had success going to a racing shop who uses BEAR mechanical alignment equipment. Otherwise, going to people who know how to do a tight alignment and do it right. The few report no more feathering problems.

I am working with my very cooperative service manager, known for 20 years, about getting Nissan to do a four wheel mechanical alignment. Compare to a computerized alignment. Put on new Potenza S02s instead of 040s. Monitor every 3000 miles as a test case and try to find a real low cost solution for Nissan to step up too. Assuming they don't really want a series of class action law suits and 100s of BBB reports. Along with a ton of bad press to all the trades. Something that has already started.

I'll report back and let every body know.

If anybody has had mechanical alignments done please let me know, PM me. If you know of something else that has worked, also let me know. No garbage or vendors please.

Hopefully reason and compromise will create a solution that Nissan will accept. Understand and fix the problem or so we can maintain such. And give us the value in our 305Zs back and the pride we all have for driving such an outstanding car.

 

I would not buy an 03 or 04 period...I sold my 03 at 17000 after getting no help from Nissan...I would love to buy an 05 roadster but will not take the chance until I can find out for sure the problem has been fixed...

 

I have posted several notes about mechanical vs computerized alignments and getting good results from going to a reputable speed shop who uses BEAR alignment. Several memebers have said this is a good fix. We'll, did the homework with my Nissan service manager, known for 20 years, presented all the info to the Nissan factory rep. She didn't know crap. Told the service manager to call Bridgestone. Bridgestone said yes there was a problem with the casing and are now recommending a different tire. I think it is the 050 instead of the 040. Bridgestone isn't doing anything. So use 03 owners who are past the 24 months on the TSB are screwed. Anybody have any advise about calling Nissan 800? Now I am really pissed.

 

i bought my 05 back in Sep 04. Clocking 11,000 miles as of yesterday and no sign of FEATHERING yet.

 

Are their any suspension differences in the 05 than the 03' and 04's, or different alignment specs?

 

I think that there are new allignment specs from Nissan... Does anyone know what they are, and what kind of machine I should use?

 

I can't believe this is still an issue. I had a 03 dealt with it for over a year used the BBB and lost I had a file a inch thick. I just can't believe this is still happening. Am I hearing this correctlly 05's are getting it to, come on Nissan give the guys a break. Luckly I was able to use the Soldiers and Sailors act to get out of the contract. If there are any Military on this forum having the issues I would highly consider it.