Just came back from the Nissan dealer alignment issue / car pulling to one side

semtex · 04-11-2009, 10:15 AM

Regarding the pulling to one side, are you guys sure it's not 'tramlining'? I don't know how bad your roads are so I can't say. But tramlining is when a road is so worn that both sides of the lane where wheels constantly go over have actually compressed down, and the center of the lane kinda comes up in a hump. When you drive over it, it's almost like you're driving on rails as your wheels want to conform to the compressed strips on either side of the lane, and the steering wheel will move itself to follow the compressed path (hence the name 'tramlining' as it's like being in a tram). Now, often time, roads aren't 100% level -- they're deliberately slanted off in one direction for water drainage. Combine this with surface compression, and you could experience pulling to one direction. Again, I haven't seen your roads, so this is completely speculative on my part, but I just want to throw it out there for consideration.

Regarding being worried that your car will be taken for joyrides by service techs. I always make a point of jotting down my odometer mileage when I leave my car, and I make sure the service advisor sees me doing it. That way they know I'm no fool and I'm keeping an eye on them. If I pick up my car and it has anything more than an extra 5 miles on it, I raise hell and tear them a new one. I picked up my car once and it had an extra 20 miles out of it. I raised such a stink that the manager took my invoice and marked it as paid in full just to get me out of there. He wrote off about $200 in charges.

spearfish25 · 04-11-2009, 10:32 AM

Semtex is right on you guys. If you're only noticing the wheel pulling when you're coming to a stop on a grooved road, there is nothing wrong with your car. However, if you find the car pulling when you're driving along the majority of the time, then you have an alignment issue. One good way to make problems with your car is to take it to a dealer looking for problems when there is nothing wrong with it. That just leads to some mechanic taking things apart and driving your car around.

Two extra miles on the car is expected when you've taken it for service and claimed there is an issue while driving. They have to diagnose the problem. As Semtex said, 20 extra miles is not OK.

arcticreaver · 04-11-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Regarding the pulling to one side, are you guys sure it's not 'tramlining'? I don't know how bad your roads are so I can't say. But tramlining is when a road is so worn that both sides of the lane where wheels constantly go over have actually compressed down, and the center of the lane kinda comes up in a hump. When you drive over it, it's almost like you're driving on rails as your wheels want to conform to the compressed strips on either side of the lane, and the steering wheel will move itself to follow the compressed path (hence the name 'tramlining' as it's like being in a tram). Now, often time, roads aren't 100% level -- they're deliberately slanted off in one direction for water drainage. Combine this with surface compression, and you could experience pulling to one direction. Again, I haven't seen your roads, so this is completely speculative on my part, but I just want to throw it out there for consideration.

Regarding being worried that your car will be taken for joyrides by service techs. I always make a point of jotting down my odometer mileage when I leave my car, and I make sure the service advisor sees me doing it. That way they know I'm no fool and I'm keeping an eye on them. If I pick up my car and it has anything more than an extra 5 miles on it, I raise hell and tear them a new one. I picked up my car once and it had an extra 20 miles out of it. I raised such a stink that the manager took my invoice and marked it as paid in full just to get me out of there. He wrote off about $200 in charges.

i'm going to jot down the miles on my car next time!!! thanks!

YoungTurk · 04-11-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armensti

I went there because i needed an alignment done to the car. When i drive i have to hold the steering wheel almost one inch to the right for the car to go straight. So i went there and scheduled an appointment at 2pm. I get there at 2pm and the guy that set up my appointment wasnt there. So i wait about 20-30 minutes for his co worker to take care of me and when one of the mechanics comes he asks him if he could do the alignment and the mechanic replies saying that the 370z is new and they dont have the specs for it. I was like wtf to myself and his like try a different dealer. Has anything like this happen to anyone else? What can i do about this?

I hope you get yours fixed. This story illustrates why taking your time and going over everything before buying is SO important. Once you sign and pay, you're just not going to get the attention you do before paying.

Hope it works out for you.

YoungTurk

MarcusMIA · 04-11-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Regarding being worried that your car will be taken for joyrides by service techs. I always make a point of jotting down my odometer mileage when I leave my car, and I make sure the service advisor sees me doing it. That way they know I'm no fool and I'm keeping an eye on them. If I pick up my car and it has anything more than an extra 5 miles on it, I raise hell and tear them a new one. I picked up my car once and it had an extra 20 miles out of it. I raised such a stink that the manager took my invoice and marked it as paid in full just to get me out of there. He wrote off about $200 in charges.

You're the ****ing man, semtex... If that wouldn't have helped you could've shown them the guns. lol

sensi09 · 04-11-2009, 04:09 PM

Well the SA will check the mileage on your car when you first bring it in, so everything should be recorded.

SoCal 370Z · 04-11-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Regarding the pulling to one side, are you guys sure it's not 'tramlining'? I don't know how bad your roads are so I can't say. But tramlining is when a road is so worn that both sides of the lane where wheels constantly go over have actually compressed down, and the center of the lane kinda comes up in a hump. When you drive over it, it's almost like you're driving on rails as your wheels want to conform to the compressed strips on either side of the lane, and the steering wheel will move itself to follow the compressed path (hence the name 'tramlining' as it's like being in a tram).

So what's tramlining like at 160-mph?

tbonesteak · 04-11-2009, 05:58 PM

^^hahaha!

epod86 · 04-11-2009, 06:41 PM

Ahaha, hehe, whoo.

Reminded me of an old lady friend. She was up in Seattle for a summer, where apparently tramlines were horrible. Passed out on the highway driving a friend back from the airport. Apparently she had eyes closed for 30s or more before friend noticed. Car didn't budge from the lane.

imag · 04-11-2009, 08:33 PM

If your car is steering while going over bumps, that's a very specific problem, known as (wait for it):

Bump steer. Bump Steer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's an effect of an improperly design or aligned suspension, and it is not acceptable for any modern sports car to have an issue with it. The cars need aligning.

semtex · 04-12-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

So what's tramlining like at 160-mph?

LOL. Very funny. I'm actually really lucky -- the roads in my area are impeccable. That's what I love about Georgia -- they take really good care of their roads, and compared to some other areas of the country, enforcement of speed limits is pretty lax around here. And speaking of lax, the gun laws are relatively lax in this state as well.

juan05 · 04-12-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armensti

yeahhhhhhhh mine pulls to the left and i have NOOO idea why. i hope the 370z dont have a defect to them.

I shouldve bought an sti, 2nd year production less problems

oh man not this threads so it looks like a lot of 370z have this problem...omg..

juan05 · 04-12-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK

Def. stay in the shop because this way you prevent multiple joyrides. Please note, they will STILL take the car out for a "Test Ride" once they are done with w/e problems you had. You can't stop it. They will probably do one as you bring it in to find your problem and one right after fixing the problem. But if you're not there and the manager is out, consider your car "joyride of the day".

are they allowed to take a joyride without you been there? also if you are there and you dont want nobody driving your car can you just say no ill take it for a test drive see how it handles?

dad · 04-12-2009, 01:33 PM

Could this be just a tire issue?

Question for all the 370z Owners

DinoJ · 04-12-2009, 06:48 PM

Is the same problem:

I have noticed since the first day i bought the car when i stop (usually when its from a faster speed and its a more aggressive or sudden break) the car pulls so heavily to one or other side that if i dont hold the wheel significantly hard in the upright position i would hit traffic 2 lanes over.

04-11-2009, 10:15 AM	#46 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	Regarding the pulling to one side, are you guys sure it's not 'tramlining'? I don't know how bad your roads are so I can't say. But tramlining is when a road is so worn that both sides of the lane where wheels constantly go over have actually compressed down, and the center of the lane kinda comes up in a hump. When you drive over it, it's almost like you're driving on rails as your wheels want to conform to the compressed strips on either side of the lane, and the steering wheel will move itself to follow the compressed path (hence the name 'tramlining' as it's like being in a tram). Now, often time, roads aren't 100% level -- they're deliberately slanted off in one direction for water drainage. Combine this with surface compression, and you could experience pulling to one direction. Again, I haven't seen your roads, so this is completely speculative on my part, but I just want to throw it out there for consideration. Regarding being worried that your car will be taken for joyrides by service techs. I always make a point of jotting down my odometer mileage when I leave my car, and I make sure the service advisor sees me doing it. That way they know I'm no fool and I'm keeping an eye on them. If I pick up my car and it has anything more than an extra 5 miles on it, I raise hell and tear them a new one. I picked up my car once and it had an extra 20 miles out of it. I raised such a stink that the manager took my invoice and marked it as paid in full just to get me out of there. He wrote off about $200 in charges. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

04-12-2009, 01:33 PM	#59 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 26	Could this be just a tire issue? Question for all the 370z Owners __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary. Last edited by dad; 04-12-2009 at 02:01 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Stock alignment specs?	import111	Brakes & Suspension	30	09-18-2021 04:17 PM
Z side fender emblem issue	antennahead	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	4	04-05-2009 07:07 PM
whats the purpose/benefit of having the mufflers side by side	kdo2milger	Intake/Exhaust	5	03-02-2009 03:54 AM
Need Advice before pulling the Trigger	Asheth	Nissan 370Z Pricing / Ordering Discussions	5	01-27-2009 01:57 PM
Just got back from NISSAN	Minas8123	Nissan 370Z Photos / Spyshots / Video / Media Gallery	15	12-28-2008 06:33 PM

04-11-2009, 10:32 AM	#47 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Semtex is right on you guys. If you're only noticing the wheel pulling when you're coming to a stop on a grooved road, there is nothing wrong with your car. However, if you find the car pulling when you're driving along the majority of the time, then you have an alignment issue. One good way to make problems with your car is to take it to a dealer looking for problems when there is nothing wrong with it. That just leads to some mechanic taking things apart and driving your car around. Two extra miles on the car is expected when you've taken it for service and claimed there is an issue while driving. They have to diagnose the problem. As Semtex said, 20 extra miles is not OK.

04-11-2009, 04:09 PM	#51 (permalink)
sensi09 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: so cal Posts: 449 Drives: _ Rep Power: 17	Well the SA will check the mileage on your car when you first bring it in, so everything should be recorded.

04-11-2009, 05:58 PM	#53 (permalink)
tbonesteak Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 914 Drives: MY09 MB 6MT Rep Power: 375	^^hahaha!

04-11-2009, 06:41 PM	#54 (permalink)
epod86 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 229 Drives: 06 Mustang GT BK M5 Rep Power: 241	Ahaha, hehe, whoo. Reminded me of an old lady friend. She was up in Seattle for a summer, where apparently tramlines were horrible. Passed out on the highway driving a friend back from the airport. Apparently she had eyes closed for 30s or more before friend noticed. Car didn't budge from the lane.

04-11-2009, 08:33 PM	#55 (permalink)
imag Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 446 Drives: up the wall Rep Power: 16	If your car is steering while going over bumps, that's a very specific problem, known as (wait for it): Bump steer. Bump Steer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia It's an effect of an improperly design or aligned suspension, and it is not acceptable for any modern sports car to have an issue with it. The cars need aligning.

04-12-2009, 06:48 PM	#60 (permalink)
DinoJ Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 87 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 262	Is the same problem: I have noticed since the first day i bought the car when i stop (usually when its from a faster speed and its a more aggressive or sudden break) the car pulls so heavily to one or other side that if i dont hold the wheel significantly hard in the upright position i would hit traffic 2 lanes over.