zcardave

Just got this notice from the Z Car Club Association (ZCCA).
See, Nissan does listen !
Direct from Nissan...

>> To: Z Club Officers, Nissan enthusiast website administrators & editors
>>
>> From: Dean Case
>> Manager, Product PR
>> Corporate Communications
>> Nissan North America
>>
>> Re: 2003 Nissan 350Z Front Wheel Alignment Warranty Extension
>>
>> Later today all Nissan dealers in North America will be contacted via
>> e-mail with information related to the 2003 Nissan 350Z Front Wheel
>> Alignment Warranty Extension. Knowing that many Z enthusiasts are active
>> on the internet we are chosing to share this same information directly
>> with you. Hopefully this will clear up the issue once and for all.
>> Please feel free to post this memo tomorrow morning along with the
>> technical service bulletin. I ask for the overnight delay simply to allow
>> our dealers a change to read through their e-mail before getting any calls
>> from customers. We appreciate your patience while we worked to solve this
>> issue.
>>
>>
>> Summary
>> Approximately 40,000 2003 350Z customers will have the warranty extended
>> on their Front Wheel Alignments. If the front toe alignment on these
>> vehicles is not correct, an irregular wear pattern can occur on the inner
>> edge of the front tires. The wear pattern can cause a noise described as
>> "tire roar" or "tire growl." This noise may be most noticeable during low
>> speed braking.
>>
>> The extended Front Wheel Alignment Warranty for all MY 2003 350Z's will be
>> two (2) years, from the original in-service date. For vehicles
>> experiencing this noise, Nissan will inspect the tires for this irregular
>> wear pattern, and will rotate or replace affected tires per the protocol
>> noted in the technical service bulletin (see attached). For vehicles
>> whose front tires were previously replaced due to tire roar or growl,
>> Nissan will reimburse customers for front tires that were replaced with
>> less than 30,000 miles of usage at the time of replacement based on
>> documented front tire noise complaints (prorated from 21,001 to 30,000
>> miles).
>>
>> Background
>> Over the past year some 350Z owners have experienced a tire noise issue,
>> predominately during low speed braking. This has been described as tire
>> "roar" or "growl." Some owners have also described tire "feathering." It
>> is very important to note that this is a consumer satisfaction issue that
>> does not impact the handling or the safety of the vehicle.
>>
>> The 350Z was designed for maximum dynamic handling performance and is
>> equipped with tires with optimized handling characteristics. This
>> performance set-up requires very accurate front-end alignment, and Nissan
>> has determined that the 350Z tires are sensitive to any toe-out
>> whatsoever. This noise/excess tire "feathering" issue is not related to
>> camber. Nissan has been following vehicles carefully aligned with no
>> toe-out and has found thus far that, once set correctly, the Z's alignment
>> remains set correctly over time, and that tire noise does not occur on
>> those vehicles.
>>
>> Nissan engineers have investigated the tire noise issue and determined
>> that, when the noise occurs, the root cause is chassis alignment -
>> specifically the toe adjustment. Toe-out can cause a tire wear pattern
>> (i.e., excess feathering) that creates tire noise. A Technical Service
>> Bulletin (NTB03-006), addressing alignment was issued to all Nissan
>> dealers in January of 2003. In June of 2003 the affected VIN range was
>> identified in NTB03-006A.
>>
>> Nonetheless, the problem has persisted for some customers due to an
>> apparent failure to properly set the correct alignment. Because of the
>> sensitivity of this vehicle/tire combination to proper alignment, Nissan
>> has advised dealers not to use the "Go/No-Go" color indicators commonly
>> found on some alignment machines. Rather, Nissan is advising dealers that
>> it is critical to refer to the actual alignment number that is displayed
>> for the Toe Setting, and reminds dealers that it is very important not to
>> have any Toe-Out when they are finished aligning the car. This was
>> documented in a revised Technical Service Bulletin (NTB03-006B) in
>> December of 2003. Nissan is also requiring dealers to document proper
>> calibration of their alignment equipment.
>>
>> Nissan Action
>> To ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction, Nissan is extending
>> the warranty for front wheel alignment on customers' 350Zs to 2 years from
>> the original in-service date. Like all Nissan New Vehicle Limited
>> Warranty service, this extended warranty is only available through a
>> Nissan dealership.
>>
>> Beginning in late April, 2004 Nissan will contact affected 2003 350Z
>> customers by mail. For Model Year 2003 350Z vehicles that exhibit front
>> tire roar or growl noise, during the extended warranty period Nissan will
>> inspect vehicles to determine the wheel, tire and suspension equipment
>> installed on the vehicle. Then Nissan will:
>>
>> * For vehicles equipped with original equipment tires and wheels (or
>> with genuine Nissan chrome or NISMO accessory Z wheels), Nissan will:
>> * Inspect the tires for irregular wear pattern on the inside portion
>> of the front tires and, if necessary, either rotate the front tires from
>> side to side or replace the front tires as determined to be necessary by
>> formal repair criteria.
>> * If tires are either rotated or replaced, check the front wheel
>> alignment and adjust, as needed, to ensure proper toe-in adjustment.
>> * For vehicles equipped with replacement tires and original equipment
>> wheels (or with genuine Nissan chrome or NISMO accessory Z wheels) ,
>> Nissan will:
>> * Check the front wheel alignment and adjust, as needed.
>> * For vehicles with replacement tires that are not the original size,
>> or with wheels other than those listed in number 1 or 2 above or, or with
>> suspension modifications other than NISMO-S Tune, this warranty extension
>> is not applicable unless the wheels, tires and/or suspension are first
>> returned to original factory specifications and the vehicle is then
>> presented to a Nissan dealer for repair prior to expiration of this
>> extended warranty.
>>
>> Note: If it is determined that replacement of the front tires is covered
>> and necessary: Tires with less than 21,001 miles of usage will be replaced
>> free of charge; Tires replaced between 21,001 and 30,000 miles will be
>> prorated and Nissan will pay for a percentage of the tire replacement
>> cost.
>>
>> Statement:
>>
>> "On some 2003 MY 350Z's, customers have experienced tire noise
>> described as tire "growl" or "roar." The root cause of this type of tire
>> noise is front-end alignment. Nissan will extend the front wheel
>> alignment warranty for this tire noise to two (2) years, with unlimited
>> mileage. Nissan will contact all customers who may be affected. These
>> customers will be invited to bring their car to a Nissan dealer if they
>> believe they may be affected by this issue. Nissan will inspect the
>> vehicle and perform the appropriate repair which may include wheel
>> alignment, front tire rotation and, in some cases, front tire replacement.
>> All 2003 MY 350Z customers will be notified that they may be eligible for
>> reimbursement of prior expenses related to this warranty extension which
>> were incurred during the extended warranty period. Reimbursement for
>> repairs or tire replacements due to normal wear are not included in this
>> program. Nissan is committed to a high level of customer safety, service,
>> and satisfaction and is working with its dealers to promptly address this
>> condition."
>>
>> Attached for reference is the TSB.
>>
>> <<046TSB NTB04-043.pdf>>
>>
>> Please direct any consumer inquiries to Consumer Affairs at 1 (800)
>> 343-0294
>>
>>
>
>Attachment Converted: C:\EUDORA\046TSBNT.pdf

Enron Exec

Dave you are the man! I really needed some good news today.

zcardave

Hopefully, this will be good news for lots of folks.
It is encouraging to see Nissan at least admit that there is a problem.
Offering a solution to the problem is a definate bonus !

I guess I'd better go get in line.
zcardave

Enron Exec

Im on the phone now with NNA. The sad part is i just bought new tires Monday!!!! They are slightly wider 245/40 18 front and I dont think i will get the extended warranty because of it. No matter, im gonna go ask questions and plead my case.

All ppl make mistakes, its how they handle the situation that defines their moral character. Im gonna put Nissan tot he test today.

z_brit

This is great news. I just had the tire rotation TSB done a few weeks back (just got in at 11,986 miles!), and the tire growling, though improved, is still just not satisfactory so I guess I'll get some new tires.

I just wish they'd also put on something better than those awful RE-040s.

BEAVR Z

Sooo.....

my 2004 DB has feathering at 5700 miles

I'm about to take it into the dealer and get them to correct per the TSB above. Now the question....which dealer in DFW to take it to? I'd rather not have them try to jack me around on the issue, especially since its a known problem.

I took her to Courtesy for her 3500 once over and they were okay. Anybody else got any opinions?

350zluvr

I hate courtesy with a passion!!!

I bought my my car from Trophy Nissan in Mesquite and they have been awesome the last time I visited them.

Bankston Nissan on Preston and 635 seems to be pretty good.

ChinaClipper

iTrader: (2)

Please note that the TSB applies only to 2003 production model year 350Zs!

BEAVR Z

Noted....nevertheless....it is an '04 and it does have feathering.
Any bets as to whether i can brow-beat the dealer into peforming the correction?

Enron Exec

NNA wont help me because i got new tires 2 days before they posted the new TSB and my new front tires are not the original size. GAY!

z_brit

Do you still have the original tires and rims? If so, stick them back on, get news ones, and sell 'em new on eBay.

nmilsaps

took mine into the dealership for other stuff, and for fun i told them to check the tires... like i do everytime they give me an oil change (3rd one now) and well, to my surprise, I get two new front tires.... works for me. I'll pick up the car later today to make sure it's all true.

Enron Exec

I dont have my old tires anymore. What dealer gave you new tires nmilsaps.

Dr Bonz

iTrader: (1)

I just noticed this. I thought only 30,000 Z's were made in 03

nmilsaps

ok, here's the scoop. I take my car to Sterling McCall Nissan, talk to Mario, the service is alright, there always seems to be something left so I have to come back or leave my car one more day for them. They are good about giving you a free rental if you have to leave your car overnight.
Anyways, I've always had them check the tires when I get an oil change, and this time they said that the right side was heavily feathered. They new about it being covered, so they replaced the right front control arm and the front tires with the same brand. The amount covered under warranty was $330 for two new tires and I don't remember the amount for the control arm.
Hope this helps.

Enron Exec

Cool, thanx Nate.