Several threads have been posted recently asking questions about the tire feathering issue and about the "tire swap" TSB (technical service bulletin). I have also been PM'ed a few times about this as well. Many moons ago I posted a demo on what the TSB involves. I used my trusty little Dodge Stealth TT model to show exactly how it's done so that people can understand it.

I thought I'd post this tutorial that (hopefully) explains the issue and the TSB so everyone (especially new owners) can understand it.

Here goes:

First of all, let me try to explain what feathering is. If you squat down facing your front driver's side tire after turning your steering wheel to the far left, we are concentrating on the innermost line of tread.

This pic will help:

 

I heard it best decsribed by NSANY on Frenzy. He said it is like petting a cat's fur, first the "right" way and then against the grain so to speak.

Now, the TSB from Nissan is worded as such:

TSB: Ntb03006

IF YOU CONFIRM: An applied vehicle shows the following symptoms when braking moderately: • excessive tire "roar" or "growl" noise, mostly when braking at speeds below 30 mph. ACTIONS: Verify the incident noise as described above. • Check alignment. Adjust (if needed). • Rotate front tires from side to side, dismounting tires from wheels. See this bulletin for detail.

 

OK, now what exactly does that mean?

Allow me to demonstrate with my Dodge Stealth TT model.

I have marked the feathering with white out and the arrow depicts the rotational direction of the tire. The Z has "directional" tires that MUST rotate in this marked direction.

I have removed the wheel from the front drivers side of the car:

 

The tire is removed from the wheel:

 

The tire is put back on with the feathered part now on the OUTSIDE. Note as the car sits, if I put THIS wheel/tire combo on the drivers side again, the arrow is going in the WRONG direction.

 

BUT, when I put this wheel/tire combo on the PASSENGER SIDE of the car, it is rotating correctly!

 

There! I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any additions or corrections.

 

LOL

 

LOL

 

It isn't SUPPOSED to make you LOL!!

It's EDUCATIONAL!!!

 

Good post Binz,
We keep seeing these horror threads about feathering.
At 5k miles I, also, was a victim of feathering.
Nissan put on 2 brand new wheels and adjusted camber and toe.
I now have 17k miles and not one bit of feather.
After 12k miles I think I can say mine was fixed.

 

Nice post Doc!

 

Your Stealth has tire feathering??

Or was that just used for demo purposes?

Ted

 

Just curious...How did Nissan adjust the camber exactly? I don't see any suspension mods on your list. Very nice car by the way.

 

No, the Stealth is fine. 12 years old and 108K and still running like a champ.


Oh BTW............BINZ?????

 

What does TSB: Ntb03006 (A) cover?

 

I've seen people post about it but never saw a definitive answer. I think it's simply the same thing (the swap) but with the new alignment specs.

 

1

 

2

 

Are those the newest alignment specs available? Could I rint those out and take them to my dealer, cuz I dont think they have any idea.