Has anyone experienced the infamous "tire feathering" problem on the track model? I have put 9600mi on my 350Z since I got it 7 months ago. I have noticed the road noise increase since then, but it seems to me that it was always loud. Would I be eligible for new tires from nissan? Will they adjust my toe-in, alignment, and/or camber? How many miles can I put on the stock bridgestone potenza's? Is their a link to the TSB so I can show the dealership?

 

Bkusnir

You better call NNA - Now !


All cars are doing this.

I guess you have not read the pages on this site fully.

Use search Forum - put in Feathering. Read 1500 plus messages
Take Aspirin and Call your States Attorney in the morning.

Amy

 

I have a track model and it does it. I think its too late to call NNA. I have almost 11K miles.

 

Nope within the first 12 months or 12000 miles the dealer should check the alignment for nothing. Take the car in.

 

Another track owner with feathering. I've had the TSB done once already, however I'm hearing roaring again, so it's coming back.

NNA is going to be buying me new tires--they just don't know it yet.

 

You have the NISMO S-Tune too. Check with Droid. Who did your alignment?

 

A dealership did it, but after reading Droid's thread, I'm going to give Dallas Frame a call.

But only after I raise hell with NNA for tires that are completely shot with 10,000 miles on them.

 

I hate dealerships........Curious to see how bad the settings were off from the dealer.

 

I just had the tsb done on my track 3 weeks ago. (3600 miles). I couldn't believe how badly the front tires were worn with such little milage. I guess I will have to wait and see if the tsb has fixed my problem (from the way it sounds from everyones elses experiences I doubt it helped much). Anyway hopefully I can get some new rubber from NNA in the next few months.

 

moved

 

Just got off the horn with Delise (x3859) at Nissan North America Consumer Affairs. I filed a complaint for the following:

1) Tire feathering/cupping/uneven wear issue

Is there a difference between cupping and feathering?

2) Window grease streak (same size, shape, location on driver side window and passenger side window)

3) Transmission sticking

She tells me the following:

1) She has heard about the 'tire feathering/cupping' issue, she told me that I can bring it into any Nissan Dealership and they will investigate the problem and make adjustments/replacements as necessary.

2) I must bring the vehicle in before 12 months / 12,000 mi.

3) She has NOT heard about the 'windows grease streak' issue

4) She has NOT heard about any issues concerning the MT.

Should I wait until right before 12 months / 12,000mi to bring my vehicle in or do it ASAP (@ 9 months / 9,600mi currently)

What is S-Tune?

I will be calling the Attorney General to file a complaint as well.

--Thanks

 

I got tire feathering on my Track Z too ( inner 2 front tires), it has 9,300 miles now! Haven't had a chance to stop by Nissan dealer yet. Will do so ASAP

 

ive only got about 5,500 miles on my track Z now but i've noticed it's getting louder and louder also. i haven't as of yet looked at the tires to see if there is some uneven wear or how bad the wear is but if i take it back to the dealership what's the best way of getting them to get me a new set of tires?

thanks!

 

Giving them money usually works pretty well I f I were you I would call NNA immediately and file a formal comlaint with their Consumer Services department. They should ask you for your VIN number so have it handy. They should also give you a reference number, and the agent should give you their name and extension in case the dealership gives you any lip. This doesn't mean that they will replace your tires, they may just do an alignment and/or flip and swap your front tires (dismounting from rim, then balancing and remounting). They might just drive it into a bay and let it (and you) sit there for a couple hours. Who knows?! You also need to go before you hit 12 months or 12,000 miles or else they might turn you away. I myself am debating on whether I should wait to the last minute to do this or not as I have not visted the dealership as of yet concerning this matter. I did go because my crappy stock clarion cd player ate my favorite cd and wouldn't give it back (replacing HU this weekend).

Good Luck!

 

I just caught the show Autoweek on the speed channel and they gave credit to my350z.com as the site complaining the most about the tire feathering. They also stated that they confirmed this condition on their own test car. Seeing it on TV will have an impact on Nissan and its dealers.

 

I recently bought an '03 CS Track with 4300 miles on it. I can notice the beginnings of the dreaded tire problem. Now at 5.5K and will be confronting dealer shortly.

Not that I'm at that point yet, but are the "S-tune" parts applicable to the Track (w/VDC)?

 

Ask her if she was born yesterday, or earlier this morning.



As far as Feathering. I called NNA. Filed a report.

Within 2 weeks, the head of the service department at my local dealer called me, and told me he would switched out my fronts, gratis of course.

New potenza's, (monster garage voice) FREEBIE

/CROSSES FINGERS....

3k miles on new fronts, no problems yet.

~AJ

 

7300 miles on my Track Z(built 04/2003). Seems road noise was always loud. maybe there is feathering, but the car still handles very well and no alignment problems.

 

Will be calling Scottsdale Nissan today and talking with my service advisor about taking care of these problems. Two important questions though:

1) What is the S-Tune suspension, will it work with Track model 350Z's and VDC? Will it fix the problem?

2) What about upgraded shocks? If it is indeed the bounce therory? Notice a strange feeling when driving over speed bumps slowly? I had tokico's on my '85 ... never a problem with them?

3) Can frame damage result from this issue?

 

I'm like n8VZ...my '03 Track (build 9/02) seems to handle well, rides rough but I expect that, steering is dead accurate w/no pull to right, etc. I wanted the Track; I didn't expect a GT car, don't care how good the stereo is, think the car is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous, don't think the VQ is a "thrasher", tranny shifts good enough for me, think the interior quality is fine, love the seats...you get the picture.

I like this car SO MUCH that I'll accept "some" degree of accelerated tire wear. Now how much "some" is...that's the issue. I can definitely see the "feathering" pattern developing on the inside tread blocks. I'll be seeing the dealer before too long (I'm 2nd owner...bought at 4,300 miles, now 5,600). I expect they'll "switch and align."

Yes, perhaps I'm Nissan's dream customer, but hey, I ride sportbikes and we're lucky to get 4K out of a back tire!