I too am starting to get a loud chatter at 13k. I will have the dealership look at the problem at my 15K service!!

 

After bringing my 2003 350Z Track Model into the dealership three (3) times in the last two (2) weeks first for the feathering, steering drift (pull to right), and window grease streak TSBs, and then twice more for re-alignment (crooked, off-center steering wheel to the right several degrees when driving straight on a flat surface), my service advisor was able convince the service manager to replace my front tires @ 10,000mi, 7 months. He calims that it would be impossible to straighten the wheel with the tire wear now being on the outside edge of the tires, thus the only way to straighten the wheel would be to flip and swap the front tires again, and then the road noise would obviously be back. My tires were flipped @ 9,600mi, so this might be the best time to do the TSB if you have not done it yet to increase your chances of having your tires replaced on Nissan's dime instead of yours until either Nissan comes out with a fix or you are ready to buy a new set of tires. I think I will be going the Michelin, Kumho or Yokohoma route the next time around in hopes of decreased tire wear. They have ordered me a new set of Bridgestone Potenza tires, supposedly they are exactly the same model and compound according to them. I will take pictures of the tire markings before and after and post for reference. I guess if you bring your car in enough and ***** they will replace them eventually as long as you are under 12K/12mo. My dealership is Scottsdale Nissan in Scottsdale, AZ and my service advisor is Juan. I also received a questionnaire from NNA today concerning my experience with Nisssan Consumer Affairs department that I will be filling out and returning.

 

Are you using Team Nissan on Austell Road? They have been pretty straightforward with me except for when I took it in the first time for pulling to the right, they told me that my tire pressures were off causing the problem.

 

I was just wondering, after you had the TSB performed, the roaring noise goes away correct? At least for a little while...

I had it done, and I think my dealer is trying to jack with me. The noise did not go away and if I look at my lug nuts there are no scratches at all on them.

They did take it to another place to have the alignment done though. I have a copy.

 

Better shops use sockets lined with a non scratch material. So, you may be being jacked with, but scratchless lug nuts are not indicative of it.

And yes, performing the TSB for tire noise should reduce the noise, however some tires feathered (cupped) on both the inside AND outside of the tread, and if thats the case you would still have noise after the TSB. Make sure the arrows on the tires are going forward, there have been some reports of the TSB done incorrectly.

 

 

Doesn't the TSB call for the tires to be cross rotated. They took it to Sears Automotive, I would think there would be a little bit of scratching on the lugs. I will look a bit more. Is there any way to tell if they actually did the TSB?

 

No, Team Nissan on Cobb Parkway. The entire dealership has been a pleasure to work with! I would not hesitate in recommending anyone to have their car serviced there!
Lew

 

I PICK MY 350Z UP IN TWO WEEKS ITS NEW SHOULD I GET THIS TYRE WEAR PROLEM PU IN WRITIG BEFORE I COLECT IT AL.?

 

Get the alignment checked before delivery.

 

It actually depends on the severity of tire wear when you have the TSB done...the tire wear on my car was soooo bad that even when they swapped the rubber, the noise was just as bad. You have to wait a few thousand miles for the tires to wear back even. So you should notice the noise decreasing the more you drive. In my case though, I had too many miles on them that by the time they would have worn back, I wouldn't have had any tread left. I've replaced them and am monitoring closely to see if the feathering is still an issue.

 

Be absolutely sure you get a copy of the alignment settings, before AND after. Do not fail to do this or you have no baseline if you develop the tire problem. A copy should be put in your vehicle file at the dealer, but could get lost. Tell the service advisor you want it immediately after the work is done.

 

My service guy @ my dealership called a couple of nights ago to tell me that my stockie replacements are still on national backorder.

He also FINALLY made mention that it is a Nissan suspension issue. This made me glad because a few months ago when I ALLUDED that it was a suspension issue, he quickly wrote it off as a tire (compound) issue.

He did not mention any definite fix, however.

But I have 19" Michelin Pilot sports in my closet waiting for some wheels for the spring. So the stockies I get from Nissan wont get much use.

 

Really,backorder eh.. I think hes just feeding you crap man. I got my tires in 1 week from my dealer ordering them. And if he knows its a suspension issue why dont he fix it? He would become a national hero.
Its a alinment issue, Nuff said!! Didnt anyone notice the steering wheel was off center, when you bought it.. Thats from the toe being out of spec. Which caused the tire problem.. Peace

 

Back to the alignment idea eh? The circle of life is complete.

 

My dealer got me a set of 040's in about a week. Had them put on Friday morning. Mechanic said it was out both front and back.... I forgot to get a copy of the printout. I'll get them to mail it to me.

 

Alan:
It is a known problem and not checking the alignment immediately makes it worse. I was told that most if not all of the 350"s come in "out of alignment". I am not sure how many "Z's" are sold in the UK (I am assuming that is where you are), so making your dealer aware of this URL will help.
Lew

 

Just got my TSB filled and complaint with NNA on this one filed, was told this is normal wear by the Service Manager (BS) and told by NNA that if it happens again I will be considered for receiving new tires. IMO, this is all BS, a car of this type and price shouldn't have such a problem that would contribute to an increased TCO of the vehicle. Hopefully a fix will come out in January as one person stated, if not then I think I'm selling mine and getting a G35 or 330 BMW, just not worth the hassle of going the aftermarket suspension,wheels and tires route in my mind since this is my only vehicle.

Just my 2 cents, good luck to everyone in dealing with this and have a good new year.

-Kman

 

Kman, I can feel your pain for don't let emotion over rule your commom sense. You can fix the suspension with aftermarket parts and get new tires a lot cheaper than the dollars you will be out trading/selling your Z and buying the G35 or the 330 BMW. Now if $$$ are not a consideration then sell the Z and buy a new BMW M5 . Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

Kman:
When you see how much the value has dropped on the resale of the Z's because of this problem, you may reconsider the trade in and lean toward Pit Bull's solution.
There is always the Lemon Law route (if it's not too late).
L