bronzee

If it's "wandering a little" the first thing I'd check out would be the shocks. If there is any doubt take them to a reputable shop with a "dyno shock testing machine". If the shocks test the same, you should be fairly much ok. Most good suspension experts will probably be able to tell just by driving. The rear axle clicking Technical Service Bulletins, are best found on either: http://www.my350z.com or http://www.350z-tech.com

You know what you lot are all quite nuts, & given both my parents are Poms & I've got a Pommy passport, that's probably why I enjoy logging onto the insanity that is 350z-uk. Hopefully one day soon I'll have the opportunity to put faces to the names that have become familiar. Lol, I won't be heading over to the freezing cold UK, in what's now coming into Summer for Kiwiland. Am I allowed to say Seasons Greetings, even though it's a few weeks away.

Welcome to the house of Zed nutters Mal.

Welcome Stu.

Goodness that's small, surely you could find a bigger one.

Docwra, how many miles/kms has your 350 done???? With my Zed it started out not happening quite so much, it's just got worse and worse, to the point of not being safe to drive as it couldn't even hold an alignment for 1km driving away from the alignment shop. And for my car, it couldn't even go straight on a flat surface, if you hit even a tiny bump, or seal inconsistancy, it was all over the place. So very frequently. Docwra, have your 350 professionally check out yet?????

Danny, is this for purely road driving & aesthetics, or some track too?? You do sacrifice some handling & ride quality with the larger 19's or even 20's.

Well for road use, for our fairly harsh conditions & roads over this end of the world, I keep going back to GS-D3's for road use. I've tried a lot of tyres including P-Zero's. Track, I'd go for something like these. More likely the later for fitment on our type of Zed. http://www.dunlop.co.nz/tyres_motorsport.aspx?cat=3

Also with the driveshaft, if you are driving along, take your foot off the go pedal for a second, if the vibration stops, if it most likely the driveshaft. It's only a 10 minute job to drop the 4 bolts out of the 350 driveshaft anyway, to see if the UJ is excessively notchy or acceptable. Been though all this stuff with all my 350 + more. The ultimate car to have that looks great sitting, you just can't go anywhere in it.

Our guy here, has had a major with the Paintshield stuff as you lot call it. Bugs got baked into it on a few long trips, ended up being a mission as the dealer had to get the installer back in who didn't know what to do to fix. Took a few months or so.

As Digsy says, basically have a look at the grooming forum. My Zed is now 3.5 years old, and I've yet to see (even a brand new one) that is as shiny as my Zed is. Make sure you use good quality car cleaning products most of all. Pardon me as we have different names for things in NZ, by Paintshield do you guys mean the "clear bra" plastic for the nose etc?? Or do you mean those awful spray on Teflon paint protectants that dealers push. Don't do it!!!!!!!! As most people in the paint industry will tell you and you will see for yourself, it will wreck your paint. One of our guys with a 350 has found this out the hard way, and you can't use normal car cleaning products on it. Lol, in my humble opinion the stuff is evil!!! (Qualifying this I have a few different friends that own panel shops and they hate spray on teflon coating!!!!!! + I've seen many, many cases myself). Now go get some sleep.

Not quite what you're asking, but check this out, or do a search on "Heat Treatments" on Google. http://www.300zx.co.nz/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2099 (Especially check out page 2 for the time - it's pretty astounding).

Hmm, was just thinking how come I missed this thread. Anyway, Docwra I can say from personal experience with my darling little Z, have your axle assemblies (especially your right one - it's the one I replaced a couple of months ago) for excessive play. Put on hoist, or even on ground, handbrake off, give the axle a good hard yank, if it's that, you will feel and see the play, hear it clonking. Also pay if you can to have another Zed the same spec to back to back check. The correct term is "Unusal Axial Looseness". Refer to http://www.350z-tech.com. There is a 12 page document there for this on the workshop manual. If basically means the fixed end (wheel end) of the axle assembly has more play than it should, and yes it will clonk & clunk over rough surfaces, bumps, driveways, etc, etc. You will also feel it popping in and out going around corners, one way more than the other depending on which is the offending axle assembly (presuming this is what it is). Been there, done this. Huge sigh.................. My axle assembly at Trade Price (discounted) was $1700 NZD for the component by it's self, obviously plus labour. As we speak my 350 is having it's rear subframe replaced. Yes, I know, the shock, colour me exceptionally ANGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Been battling with Nissan for 2 years now, and I'm now at my own cost replacing the rear subframe. As I've discovered the excess compliance (movement) between the rear subframe & the chassis will also make clonking noises and other not so delightful metallic noises. (Note this car has basically been off the road this year, and a bit longer for these reasons). The bushes are pressed into the rear subframe, so it's a whole drop and replace process. I have used a large number of 8 point Laser wheel alignments amongst other things, like going to numerous very highly qualified mechanics to check and track what's happening. Oh, for your information I've had my Z since new, never been tracked or raced (much to my disgust), it's never been able to hold an alignment since new, has become worse and worse as time has passed. Now just clocked 57kms. If you have any the problems my Z has had, also have your driveshaft checked over, yes, I've had that replaced too, as with the shocks it seized about 20k ago + more stuff, if not longer. Another huuuuugeeee sigh............................. Also as Gixxeruk says, also have the above checked. There has been numerous cases in the US of bad wheel bearings on 350's. But this would be a different sort of sound generally. Also the driveshaft will vibrate you'll feel in your seat, your pedals, the firewall, the gear stick etc. As it gets worse it becomes more audible. Please if I can help at all, ask, I would hate to see anyone else got through the absolute hell I've been through with my Zed!!!!! And no I will not be buying a 4th brand new Nissan again. Most of all take it to the best people you can find for a diagnosis. Docwra, how many kms/miles does your Zed have on the clock????

Welcome, welcome, welcome. What other mods are you planning?

Sure, sure, we believe you. ;P And you find a nice patch of grass.

Never a more true word said. Makes it more aerodynamically sound too.

Welcome. She looks gorgeous.

Welcome. Great to see another Zed sporting the Rays rims.

I don't disagree. It depends also what head you have on the water blaster. There are plenty that have a wide head, and if used carefully at a distance are fine. I use 2 bucket system as well, but the microfibre cleaning mit only the first time goes into the water after that I use the pouring spout to wet the mit. I have rigged up a clip on thing on the outside of bucket, so no more yukky dirty water going back into bucket/s.

Gorgeous photos!! Love the 2nd photo, close up shot, and did someone have fun posing for the 4th photo.

Mike your Redline, must be my favourite on my350z. All the detail.

That's not bad. It would probably be very aerodynamically sound though, less panels, window rubber to disturb the air flow. Haha I reckon. I wonder what it would be like in a roll over? I wonder how solid the A-pillars such as they look to be after having a look on Google. http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/20 ... a-concept/ http://jalopnik.com/cars/concept-cars/c ... 323537.php

One of my 350 mates here in NZ had one of his replaced. If it's the same thing, it's a rubbing wire in the seat airbag. It's also a known problem, as per the dealer he took his Zed too. His was replaced by the dealer at Nissan's expense even though his car is a 2003 and well out of warranty.

I have friends who are travelling to NZ. No probs Perfect. Knowing the UK post it would probably get lost if it was posted anyway.

Too late my friend it already has. There's no hope now. Give in, concede defeat and start modding. No, it's quite infectious & gets worse with time.