I'm e-mailed back and pointing out that I've read of nobody else who heard this from their dealer. Unless I missed something in this thread.

I also asked to see a copy of the bulletin on this issue.

 

Love to see it. Keep us posted.

 

Getting new tires Monday! I've had the TSB done (worthless tire swap) at 4000 miles, now at 8500 miles, it's back! Called the Service Mgr Monday and told him I needed the tires replaced. Called back today and siad he'd have the tires next Monday. I'll have to call him back and remind him I want the alignment checked again too!

 

Please post if you have recently attempted to get your tires swapped (within 2 weeks) and

a) if the dealer is replacing it without hesitation (i.e. possibly solution is found and they are doing it willingly)

or

b) if dealer is giving hard time to replace

Also, if dealer originally gave hard time on a previous swap and same dealer is now recently willing doing it is a good indicator something is up.

 

Definately keep us posted on this. Sounds like a typical salesman line of BS to me.

 

I am glad to see that some people are taking action with NHTSA on this problem.

I was browsing the net and found this very helpful link.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/

Just search under complaints/vehicle/year/make/etc.. and you will find some very interesting reading. They also have TSB's online if you need to see one.

 

Will do.

 

Hi Boomer:

The alignment specs were updated in May-July. My last alignment was in March. After the second set of tires doing the feathering thing in late August they aligned the tires again just prior to putting on the S03's.

My tire feathering:
1. Front tires on the inside of edge tread @ 7k miles.
(Solution: alignment on the tires, no swap. Fronts needed adjustment, Rears O.K.)
2. Tire feathering got worse, handling of the vehicle became safety issue at 11k miles and I expressed that to NNA. (Solution: replace front tires and re-align.)
3. Tire feathering came back at 8k miles on the inside and outside of tires. (Solution: re-align to new specs instituted in May-July time frame, no need to swap tires since feathering is in and out.)
4. Running out of tread on the back tires,28k, had my S03's put on.
5. 1200 miles and fronts look O.K. FEATHERING on my back tires.
6. I still cannot believe they fixed what was not broken and now it is broke. The last alignment they adjusted the Rear tires. All the other times because the wear was good they left them alone.
7. Because they did not track any of the alignment #'s (I have asked every times for the pre and post value's they tell me the alignment sheet has been left in the car, O.K. I'm blind) they cannot put the alignment back to where it was. (Solution: the possibility of replacing all 4 tires because of tire feathering leaves me no choice.)

CAN WE SAY CLASS ACTION: That will get NNA's attention and media attention.

Except for the tire feathering I love my Z.

 

Been dealing with this issue since 11,000 service. Reliable Nissan has one "Master Tech" that performs service on all 350Z's. Wasn't available at 11,000 service, but problem documented and looked at during 15,000 mile service. Problem reported to NNA sometime after 12,000 miles. Dealer took it upon himself to order front tires pending approval from NNA. Dealer denied payment of TSB service because it was performed after 12,000 miles. Schedule 18,000 mile service to be performed on 9/26/2003. Dealer is concerned that front tires, like service performed in accordance with TSB, will not be paid.

I stayed on top of NNA all this week. Advised them when 18,000 mile service was to be performed. They had my number. They had the number of the "Service Manager". Earlier today they called the "Service Manager" and asked for vehicle maintenance history. Late this afternoon, while I was at the dealer NNA "Warranty Specialist" called Reliable Nissan's Service Department and approved replacement of my front tires with OEM tire. While the "Warranty Specialist" was advising "Service Manager" on what information to enter into the computer for "Warranty Tire Replacement" on my Service Record, my NNA representative called me.

Bottom line! Tires are on order under "Warranty"! I am back to "zero miles" on front tires as it relates to "Warranty". Per NNA, check tires every 4,000 and replace under "Warranty" if needed until our engineers find a "fix". My NNA Representative also asked me to fax her some of the more recent "Posts" dealing with this issue from my350Z.com and 350ZForum.com. This I did! She will read on Monday.

So, Bose complete CD6, Tape and Tuner replaced today. Parts to perform "Window Grease TSB" are onhand at Reliable Nissan awaiting "new" OEM Front Tires. In a couple of weeks, I should be back to driving the 350Z I remember driving off the lot in mid January 2003. I love my Z!

My thanks to Michelle at NNA, plus Tim and Andy at Reliable Nissan! A super "Service Section"!

 

Those of you that had the two front tires replaced are you experiencing the PULL to the right or had this TSB completed? The reason I'm asking is I'm having my two front tires replaced not for feathering but for PULL to the right TSB. My tech determined that the tires are the reason why my Z is pulling to the right.

 

Since my alignment at 1700 (now have 8000) I have not had a problem. Then again, I do not often "get on" the car nor have i breaked hard from high speed. I wonder if all those with the problem were running the vehicles. Regardless, the feathering should not take place. You don't see this type of wear on Vette's, etc...
I think they still have a problem

 

I agree that a class action would certainly get Nissan's attention. Have any of you wondered why the trades that have had the car for over a year have not had a problem with feathering? Think about it, Motor trend, Automobile, car and Driver, none of them have mentioned having the problem occur. Don't you find that strange? Collusion???

 

Go for it. You may want to contact NNA and name your dealer's service dep't, which has promised your pre and post alignment figures and have lied to you on each occasion when they have said they were left on your seat, they weren't. I just got back from New Mexico today, will report my tire condition when I can get to my independent tire dealer I've worked with for 20 years. The car was perfect on the trip, if any cupping is starting, I will post my findings about the Michelin A/Ss.

I'm really sorry to hear you are still having problems. You may want to find an independent alignment shop that does Porsches and Mercedes and let them figure out settings that work with new, non-OE tires. Nissan seems determined to keep stonewalling the problem, I would be surprised and pleased if they did. Post you later. Boomer

 

A sloppy BS response - the "explanation"has so many inconsistencies and errors it can only have come from the massive ignorance that is Marketing at its worst.

The so-called crossover from brakes to tires, suspension is a bunch of crap - the closing "feel-good" stuff is classic PR pile-o-s*** to a lot of unrelated, technically corrupt line of BS.

All Z's produced "since then" have been corrected??? Were this true, this Thread Would be Dead. ******** - were the issue resolved by tightening brake calipers, this would be a 2-page thread.

I'm still waiting for my local SM to get back to me after contacting (?) the NNA rep to get some new tires up front at least - the bare minimum I am willing to accept, and far less than I want.

 

Tires are not the reason - its in their own TSB - the pulling to the right is a rod and bushing or tapered sleeve suspension part. Read the TSB list on this forum - I scanned and submitted the exact issue.

Just had this addressed on my own and really got rid of the pulling problem. Not related to the tires.

 

I'm well aware of the TSB and already had it completed but this didn't fix the problem. I returned to the dealership informing them that the problem was not resolved. My tech is convinced that the tires are the culprit for this problem. Because of this he is now ordering two new tires. Because of this I'm asking if the people that has two new tires are still experiencing the PULL? Assuming of course that they had the TSB completed for the PULL and the tires replaced for any reason at all. I simply want to rule out the tires. I guess it doesn't really matter to me because I'm getting two new tires in the deal. If and when this doesn't fix the problem then they need to look at it further.

 

best of luck, hope you get the prob resolved quickly
SteveZ

 

Since I mentioned wanting to see the technical bulletin on this brake caliper issue, I have heard nothing back from the salesman. Of course.

I'm glad I started reading this thread before I made a purchase.

 

Me too.
I was so happy when I finally got a NEW car. This was because I was frequently visiting a mechanic just about every other week. And it just to no end. NOW I feel like I'm doing the same thing. Despite all of this though, I still L-O-V-E my Z.

 

Hi, Dragon Lady Z, Boomer here. My wife and I just took a long trip, shortened by 1/2. I now have 5500+ miles on my Michelins. No cupping or signs of any abnormal wear. Keep your fingers crossed for me, and I'll do the same for you that everything comes together right for us.