[swilso12]

OK. Not sure if this is the correct place to post this but ----I just moved over from the "other" 350z site and am not getting a lot of response to this. So, here it goes---this is going to be a bit long but I do not know how else to talk about this. I have an 04 touring with stock 17" wheels/tires--until 1 week ago. I upgraded to front 245/40/18 and rear 265/40/18. Had the car aligned and rechecked. when I was washing my car the other day and looked at the rear wheels from the rear of the car I noticed that --the rear wheels had a very pronounced negative camber that was very plain to see. in fact the outer 1 1/2 inch of the tire was hardlly touching the ground. You could see road dirt on the inside 3/4 of the tire face/tread and the outer 1 1/2 inch of the tire face/tread was clean. Springs are stock. Now my original question was should I be concerned and do I have to worry about uneven tire wear problems in the rear. If there is anyone out there that understands the the Z suspension then I would appreciate a response.

Now for the next question related to this---If this seems like a dumb question--sorry but we all have to learn. I noticed that right after I had driven the car on a flat, even road and stopped on the road look at the rear wheels, the wheels did not appear to be showing as much negative camber as before in my drive way. Is it possible for the tires to "spread" when going over a large sloped curb at an angle into a drive way and stopped and remain at what appears to be an excessive negative camber. and then when you drive them again, they pull back into "line" ? does the question make sense? By the way, I had my rear aliignment checked this afternoon and both rear wheels are set to -1.3 degrees--- within the factory range.

 

[smoothz]

Couple of things seem odd to me. You say you have a Touring but the wheels were 17's. That is plainly wrong; perhaps the dealer didn't sell you a Touring? Tourings come with 18's. Another thing I noticed is that your rear tires are not 'correct' for your size. You should not have 265/40's on them. 275's would have been better. I don't know if that affects your camber, but it's a thought.

As for the spreading, I can see how the contact patch of the tire would be more even if you were on a slight incline that is perpendicular to the direction you are driving. Your car would tend to lean towards the lower side, therefore 'flattening' out your patch. But in your case where you were on a flat, even road, I don't really see it happening unless you were low on PSI. Maybe your PSI is too high?

Summary: I don't think you should have a negative camber on the rear end. Unless you were a pro racer, of course...

 

[Buff]

[/quote]

Smooth-Smooth-Smooth :headshake: Tourings do indeed come stock with the 17" wheels - I've got one & should not be the first to fix this error. 18" were an additional $1,200.

As far as the negative camber - I'd suggest that you post up a couple of pics that would show exactly what you are describing. I have an idea, but would like to see what you're looking at before I try to answer your question. (Long story short - you should have a "small" abount of negative camber in the rear, but I think that what you're describing is a little much.)

 

[smoothz]

Bill, I am shocked! SHOCKED, I SAY! Maybe the 04's came with 17's, but the almighty 03's were supposed to have 18's. That is written in stone! :furious:

 

[swilso12]

[/quote]


Thanks for the quick response. I bought the z new in nov 2003---2004 SB touring 225/50/17 front and 235/50/17 rear. that is what came with the car. In fact if you look at the specs for a touring they will generally show 17" wheels. as far as the correctness for the rear---the upgrade from the 17" to 18" shows the 265/40/18 as being one of the best alternatives especially considering the impact on speedometer error and TCS and ABS impact. I also see tha nismo recommends 275/40/18 for their new 9.5" rear rims. All of this is to say that I don't see where I went wrong if I did go wrong. As far as negative camber the factory specs range for the rear wheels are all Negative camber---there is no positive camberrecommended for the rear. the front is different---the range for the front goes from a + camber value to a - camber value

rear camber range is a -1.08 degrees to a - 2.08 degrees

front camber range is +0.17 degrees to a - 1.33 degrees


So, I am still in the dark

 

[Buff]

[/quote]
:lmfao: :rolf2: :lmfao:

 

[smoothz]

Huh. My stupidity has reared its ugly head...shame on me. Well, I guess I was thinking of the Nismo's when I suggested 275s. :doh: Please accept my apologies; I don't think you went wrong.

Have you spoken to the service manager about it? Not that Nissan is very helpful these days, but I might consider taking it to a more reputable shop and then billing Nissan for it.

 

[swilso12]

[/quote]

Smooth-Smooth-Smooth :headshake: Tourings do indeed come stock with the 17" wheels - I've got one & should not be the first to fix this error. 18" were an additional $1,200.

As far as the negative camber - I'd suggest that you post up a couple of pics that would show exactly what you are describing. I have an idea, but would like to see what you're looking at before I try to answer your question. (Long story short - you should have a "small" abount of negative camber in the rear, but I think that what you're describing is a little much.)
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Ok good idea---tomorrow I will try to get a pic----raining in KC now so it might be a day or two. Until then just picture looking at the two rear wheels from the rear of the car and instead of the wheels being perpindecular to the ground, the top of the tires are noticebly slanted in toward the middle of the car--- while the bottom of the tires in contact with the ground are moved out from the car. I had my camber checked and it is -1.3 degrees on each wheel

 

[smoothz]

Whew! Reminds me of the Z31s... that would bother the **** out of me.

BTW, I don't seem to have a cupping or feathering issue on my fronts, judging by the looks and feel of them.

 

[Buff]

[/quote]

Ok - I'll agree with him on all accounts of this post! :werd:
Yes Nissan Tech are usually almost all thumbs - even though I like mine I don't use his services very often.

I'd still like to see some pics that show what you're describing. (if for nothing else to ensure that what I'm envisioning is what you are seeing)

 

[SungNamZ]

[/quote]

Well, the 2003 "Tour" that I bought in January 2003 had "stone" 17" rims. Currently driving on 18" SSR GT3 with 245/40 up front and 265/40 on the rear

 

[swilso12]

[/quote]

Ok - I'll agree with him on all accounts of this post! :werd:
Yes Nissan Tech are usually almost all thumbs - even though I like mine I don't use his services very often.

I'd still like to see some pics that show what you're describing. (if for nothing else to ensure that what I'm envisioning is what you are seeing)
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Actually I took it by my z dealer today and when I pulled it in after driving on a level road and looked at the rear the camber did not look as radical as it does after I go up into my drive way at a angle to clear the high curb without rubbing the front lip. In any event, their tech was very honest---he said all he knows is how to align following the recommended ranges for stock wheels and tires. He has no idea if the tires need a different camber adjustment or not for the much wider tires. He did run his hand over the tire tread and said he thought he felt some "feathering" on the inside edge of the tire and noted that the outside edge of the tire was not getting much "wear". I only have 90 miles on the tires., He suggested I go to a performance alignment shop. I will get pictures ASAP