Hate to admit it, but I have the AF issue. Going to make a case with Nikon. Any advice?

Go on then - provide links

I was not confused - Nikon single line detectors are vertical aligned - and vertical detectors detect readable detail along a vertical line.

Canon single line detectors are horizontal aligned - and horizontal  detectors detect readable detail along a horizontal line.

I appreciate you (as distinct from many others) do not appreciate the difference between AF readable detail on a horizontal and a vertical line

I appreciate you may not have noticed AF accuracy can fall to nil with low contrast targets - most DSLR owners quickly learn this.

While you are at it, try finding a link at dpreview showing an AF fault using a sensible for testing AF subject. I might have missed one - so far I make it 87 to nil did not use a sensible AF target.

--
Leonard Shepherd
Many problems turn out to be a lack of intimate knowledge of complex modern camera equipment.