How would you respond?

[jneutron]

Not sure how to take this? I asked the dealer to check a couple of things and, well you can see the dealer notes..

1) After 5 wheel alignments (every 10k), with the noise and poor handling I suspected a tired wheel bearing, bushing or something. I was hoping for more thorough tech work -and-

2) When replacing pads & rotors this summer I found a disintegrated dust boot on one piston.

Needless to say I was speechless when they blamed the poor (scary) handling on the pirelli scorpion 275/45/21 and the brakes couldn't be fixed because I installed aftermarket pads and rotors.

I immediately called Infiniti Client Affairs and they said they are escalating the case as soon as I mentioned the magnuson-moss warranty act...Im still shocked & disappointed. I guess I will see how this shakes out after the holiday.

 

[jbaker1121]

1) Was the steering column TSB done? The FX does "pull" on bumps in the road, even with factory tires. Very finicky handling at low speed. I have had the same issue, countless alignments, the steering column TSB, and still sometimes I will have issues with "wandering" with both stock 21" wheels and GTR 20's. I was told its just the nature of the suspension/steering. (I have an excellent relationship with my dealership) However, them blaming the non-OEM tires is plain silly and is lazy. They should really check the steering column and front suspension components.

2) They will not warranty an issue that is directly caused by a non-OEM part. That is under the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act that you are talking about. Did you have a non-Infiniti shop install non-infiniti brake pads? If so, that falls under something they would not warranty. Plus, brakes are usually a wear -and-tear item not covered under a warranty. If these are factory parts that were installed @ infiniti, not sure why they wouldn't warranty their own work. Depending on the dealer they will give you a hard time if you haven't had the maintenance done at an infiniti dealer even if it is with OEM parts. Even if you did the brakes in your own driveway, they may not want to warranty the calipers because a non-Infiniti "shop" serviced them.

You were correct to have the case escalated but I'd call the service manager and talk it out. Ask them to check the steering column TSB, suspension components, etc. For the brakes, depending on the situation you can ask something similar but if a non-Infiniit dealer did your brakes and now you are saying there is an issue with them, of course they are not going to want to foot the bill on that.

 

[jneutron]

Today I got a call from Glenn at Infiniti Consumer Affairs, I missed his call and have been playing phone tag since. The steering column TSB is a good idea, and I have not explored that option, though I have not had great luck with past TSB issues and the dealer; its always taken a lot of convincing including taking printed TSB docs in with me.

The handling of the FX50 has always been good, but the wandering and pulling when crossing over the crown of the road has is bad and the transition from pavement to ice and back is sketchy at best. (acts similar to toe-out condition / sudden shift in position) I can't say that anything has failed, though something certainly has worn enough to cause handling to deteriorate over the last 50k miles. When I picked up the car the service adviser said they performed another 4 wheel alignment (making that 5 alignments in 50k miles) and didn't charge me. My question to them was, how is it necessary to get an alignment every 10k to keep handling in check? (knowing with 21" the car is very sensitive to road conditions) There was no answer, only that the service tech drove the car and said the tire size might be causing the issue and to try 265 tires again. At this point I was frustrated and just wanted my car back. Now with the fresh alignment there is certainly drive line noise from the front and the wandering has lessened, I suspect the worn wheel bearing is just preloaded by the alignment and the issue will return.

For the brakes, I changed the pads and rotors myself this summer. Honestly some of the easiest brakes to work on of all the cars I've owned. I didn't go akebono this time, the brake dust was horrendous as many of us know. I installed a powerstop pad and rotor kit, so far the only complaint I have is some occasional squeal with cold brakes when backing up. I explained to the service adviser that when I pulled the pad out and inspected the caliper, one of the passenger front, exterior dust boots were gone, disintegrated. The piston was exposed, it had been that way a while and I wanted to have it checked before winter salt and warranty was up. I'm not sure what details were absorbed by the adviser but when I got the voicemail I was not happy and that's when I called Infiniti Consumer Affairs. I'm not sure what Glenn will have to say or ask for, I didn't take any photos or video as I disassembled the brakes, never thought I would need to...

I've been a long time reader and the amount of information contained here is simply amazing. I truly appreciate the knowledge IS provides. Thanks guys! Fingers crossed or Ill be angrily finding the suspension problem and fixing it myself.