Has anyone fixed their feathering issue with suspension mods? If so what did you do and how many miles do you have on your car? I am looking into some nismo coilovers since I have heard in two places on this forum that it seems to fix the feathering issue.

Can anyone verify or share their input?

Thanks.

 

anyone?

 

I've got the S Tune suspension on my car and so far my feathering hasn't come back. Been almost 3000 miles now, but I'm still watching closely.

 

i hope u dont see it speedy but i think 3k is too soon to tell

 

I initially had bad tire feathering, so I got an alignment done "correctly", installed the Nismo suspension, and replaced the wheels and Tires with LMGT-4 wheels and Toyo TS-1 tires. So far I have put 21,000 miles on this set up and the feathering has not resurfaced (knocking on wood).

It could be the alignment, wheels, tires, supension, or a combination of these things that helped me? Wish I knew which one

 

Explain the alignment done correctly....

 

alex, congrats...i'm also looking into the nismo suspension and some volks wheels. can you please elaborate on the alignment? any specific spec u aligned to?

also, i've noticed that most ppl with suspension/wheel mod combo don't have feathering and it's mostly stock suspension/wheel people that seem to be getting feathering. of course there are exceptions (droideka comes to mind). is this a trend that other ppl are seeing too?

if nismo suspension and wheels fixes this, i'm all over that **** right now.

 

I experienced the tire feathering problem first hand. After several trips to the dealer and twice as many phone calls to consumer affairs I was able to get Nissan to replace my front tires and correct the problem. The fix was simple, really. The original tolerance for toe-in was something in the neighborhood of a few mms. Nissan determined that setting toe-in was crucial for proper tire wear and has changed the tolerances to something close to 0mm toe-in. I haven't had a problem since the realignment.

If anyone one else has heard different please let me know.

 

I think it's too soon to tell, also but I'm trying to be optomistic. lol They're not even roaring yet, so that's at least promising.

 

I can't really explain the alignment becuase I did not see it done. All I know is that a competent mechanic did the alignment according to Nissan specs. When I showed up at the deaership they had already heard of the problem ( this all took place about 1 year ago). What I meant by my remark "correct" alignment stems from the multiple bad experinces I have had with dealership technitions over the past 10 years or so. I would not doubt that 1/2 of the tire feathering cases have not been fixed due to the re-alignment not being done correctly at the dealership. In my experience, about 1/3 of the time I take my car to the dealer, they either do not do something correctly, or they don't do it at all! Nissan is better than most though in my experience. There are a few problmes that I see at most dealerships: first the turn over is extremely high , so one mechanic might not work at the same place for very long. Second, most of the technitions are not trained or have much experience with the 350Z; and third some of them just don't care about your car or fixing it. Everyone hear has heard stories about a technition doing more harm than good.

My advice would be to look for a local shop that has a good reputation and the right equipment to do your alignment properly.

 

...and how long have you had the new tires?

 

I agree totally with alex's last statement. I have an independent shop with an impeccable reputation that I have been dealing with for 20 years. The same ASC Certified tech is still there and he is Great. I plan to talk to him about our cupping problems and get his opinion on struts and adjustable front camber/caster plates. If Nissan shafts us, I will go that route and I won't depend on my dealer for the replacements.

I have a very good relationship with my dealer, but there has been a turnover in service writers recently and I need to talk to my salesman about the changes before I ask the Service Manager about the delay on my Bose amp, the CE400, NOT CD400. Backorder is what I have heard for 4 straight weeks and its time to move on it. Back to topic, ask around, find an independent everyone likes and get their opinion too. Don't rely only on your dealer, get a second opinion, its safer.

 

I agree Boomer & Alex30327. My dealers lead mechanic told me to run 40 lbs. of pressure in my Z tires to avoid the feathering. Now would you trust your Z to this guy....... I have been running 34 lbs. cold. Seems to help the bounce. Come on Koni! Could one of the mods sticky the latest alignment specs so that everyone is getting the up to date from NNA numbers???? I know the numbers have changed several times.

 

40lbs pressure cold is going to cause the tires to bulge, and you will wear out the center of the tread prematurely. I had mine at 36 cold in the rear (34-35 in the front), and the center of my tread worse faster than the outside.

I don't see how in any way the wheels would affect the feathering. Toe was a part of it, but even after I had the toe "corrected", the feathering was still prevelent. Not until I replaced my suspension was I able to eradicate any signs of feathering. I'm 99% sure its the OEM shock valving on the front.

 

I have had my 350Z Since the End of August, 2002!! During this past late Spring and Summer.. after about 10k miles.. (Fair weather driver of my car ).. I noticed a noise from the tires and finially in Sept. had it looked at with about 13.5k miles on the car.
The Dealer Regal Nissan in Roswell, Ga. (not where I bought it) looked it and said that it was out of line. Realigned it, balanced them on the front.. EVEN got me two new front tires,,.. All due to the feathering on the front tires on the inside.. They were a great help.. and now with aobut 1k more miles on the car.. things are great.. Hope this helps you..

 

Boomer had mine replaced with the CE400 yesterday, wow big difference. Dealer had it on hand. About the tires, how many owners are having this problem? 3 out of 10, 5 out of 10, or is it 10 out of 10???

 

not sure if anyone saw this (didn't search forum) but it made for interesting reading. seems well thought out.

http://www.lasercannon.com/Newz/feathering.htm

aki

 

A little over 4k miles and no problems. Steering doesn't have the same snap to center but I don't mind.