sharp full wheel turn
 

I have owned my Z for 3 months now and everything is great. I rarely have to make a full turn, like a sharp U-turn. However, recently I was turning the steering wheel to a maximum turn and going in a circle (at low speed) there feels to be an un-smooth, bumpy-like, and clunky front wheels turning. It's all stock Touring Rays wheels and no alignment issues that I have noted. Any of you folks experienced this?

Ya its pretty normal for me when its cold out

I think its pretty normal. but what do you mean by no alignment issues? I never heard about that kinda thing. All I heard about z issues were some blind sight, loud tire noise, oil temp, and stickyness of tire that throw every single rocks and make pop-corn making sound :p oh and one more thing, loudness of clutch being on and off(for stick).

Normal- usually after work when I turn around in parking lot low speed notice it- no worries

Have noticed it multiple times too, seems to be normal.

My Z and Jeep does this. I think it is because at full-lock you are riding more or less on the edges of the wheels?

It's normal. The stock tires DO NOT like cold weather..
And by alignment issues he may have meant.. Hitting potholes and such?

What I meant by alignment issues are consequences of unforeseen potholes or curbside run-ins. i have driving it like my grandma to do any harm.

thanks for the feedback and good to hear that it's normal...I was trippin and was gonna bring it back to the dealer to check.

GREAT thread. I was thinking about this the other day. Glad to know I'm not the ONLY one ;).

Speaking of a full - sharp wheel turn:

I can't get over how tight the turning radius is on my 370Z Roadster. I can turn on a dime with this car.

It seems that every time I drive my Z, I find something else that's great about her!

It is indeed normal, but has nothing to do with cold weather.

you are right :) even winter tires does not like cold weather :rolleyes:

Dont hold the wheel all the way at lock. It puts a lot of pressure on the power steering system. Backing off a tad doesnt increase the turn angle at all but alleviates all that extra stress. Just an FYI and wont have anything to do with the clunk-i-ness.

The clunking is normal. The springs are compressing a bit under full lock and the weight is transfered to the turning side of the car. I think it's called static compression/camber. The noise is easier to notice if you aren't running a lot of preload or no helper springs on coilover suspension.

For the feeling of lack of grip, this is also normal as that side of the car/tire is under static camber during compression. There will be less of a contact patch on the outside edge of the tire (or inside edge depending on which wheel you're talking about). You actually get more grip, unless your alignment is out of spec. It just feels like less grip because of the quicker turn in from the front wheels whilst the rears aren't moving as much.

I was worried about this issue too at first, but everyone said it was normal. So, I didn't care anymore..TIL I put on my 20" wheels and the problem is now gone :)