CV Joint or differential?

Chupacabra · 01-06-2010, 11:34 AM

i have been noticing some weird sound/feel on the car lately.

it is felt, when:

a) in the morning I back out of the drive way, then turn the wheel to the right full lock, and begin moving forward, and i hear and feel like a crackling sound, as in a teeth on a gear are skipping.

b) as I am getting to work, 30 min. drive so car is warmed up, I do a big left hand turn, full lock, slow speed 2-5mph and the noise and feel is there again.

The car has 11.8k miles on it. "well" taken cared off.

so.... under case scenario a) I always thought it might be the differential engaging, because of going in reverse then forward.

but under scenario b) i am thinking its the CV joint.

Anyone feel this?

vipor · 01-06-2010, 11:47 AM

no CV, not FWD.

you're SURE that the sound is coming from the rear?

Chupacabra · 01-06-2010, 11:55 AM

but the car still has cv's at the back. i mean for the whole independent suspension thing....

The noise 'comes' from the front., and I can feel it through the steering wheel, and floor board, So I thought it was the front right tire, but there really inst much there that can make that noise.... unless its a ball joint on the bottom of the suspension.

KEVTEX · 01-06-2010, 11:58 AM

Since the sound only happens at full lock, the first thing I'd do is verify the lug nuts are on tight. If you have wheel spacers you need to check them as well. It is hard to diagnose a sound without hearing it. Next time, have someone outside the car listen to try to isolate where the sound is coming from.

vipor · 01-06-2010, 12:00 PM

there has been talk about parts of the front suspension being a little loose in regards to turning. to tighten the radius. i don't know details.

Binding at full lock...

Chupacabra · 01-06-2010, 12:04 PM

Ah nice thanks for the link....

I guess its time to take the front apart and see what is going on...

thank you maestro.

JvKintheUSA · 02-10-2010, 06:08 PM

Do you hear a clunk or is it a true grinding noise?

m4a1mustang · 02-10-2010, 06:32 PM

Feel any vibration in the steering wheel?

1slow370 · 02-11-2010, 03:24 AM

my car did this new. the front tires kinda scrub and slide around at slow full lock in parking lots nothing is broken the suspension just has bad angles at full lock and the front wheels fight each other to make the turn if you don't turn as tight it won't do it. If it was a joint, axle, or something mechanical it would do it ALL the time and cv's vibrate like a mofo at highway speed when they go bad.

Chupacabra · 02-11-2010, 10:39 AM

^^^ yeah, I took the thing apart on the weekend to look. CV's look good, but you can see scrubbing in the inside wheel well. its just a funky feeling because it feels like a grind/jumping action. Maybe they'll fix it for future generations.

z370z · 02-11-2010, 10:45 AM

It's definitely the tires rubbing... i get the same thing when having to make sharp turns, the wheels rub and the vibration is felt through the steering column. At first I thought it was the brand new tires gripping the road at an awkward angle during cold temperatures however with further inspection I did find rub lines on the the inner fenders! No worries on the issue, just one disadvantage to a large sporty wheel!

Paskii · 02-20-2011, 07:42 PM

Hey guys I'm experiencing this grinding noise and scrubbing as well. I just find it odd that it happens sometimes and not the time, it seems like people are saying its normal because of the wide tires but if that was true this sound and grinding should happen every time no? Does every 370z car do this or just some?

Super Tanooki · 02-20-2011, 07:52 PM

My car was making crazy sounds the other day pulling out of a parking lot in full lock right. It had rained so the tarmac was wet, and it sounded like the two front wheels were tugging in different directions and causing slip on the ground. That only seemed to happen that in the wet (it doesn't rain much here obviously, so that's the first I've driven in the wet).

I also get a sound sometimes pulling onto my drive at full lock - sounds like the tire making contact with the fender, but only barely. And yeah, it only does it sometimes. I tested it the other day - was doing full-lock circles in an open parking lot, looking like a right buffoon - and couldn't hear a thing.

Seems strange for stock wheels on a stock car, but I'm not worried. Seems fine to me.

WAGAWAGA · 03-31-2011, 03:42 PM

hey chupacabra i have experienced the same feeling many times, and was confused if i went over something or not. this is annoying as i have to make a full lock turn everytime i leave my house because the ramp is too steep and narrow, and i hear this grinding noise most of the time. have you figured out a fix for this?

Chupacabra · 03-31-2011, 03:48 PM

negative ghostrider...

I am trying to get hold of some skinnier tires to see if that is the issue... I have just learned to live with it i guess....

01-06-2010, 11:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
Chupacabra Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Weston, Florida Posts: 477 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z s M6 Rep Power: 200	CV Joint or differential? i have been noticing some weird sound/feel on the car lately. it is felt, when: a) in the morning I back out of the drive way, then turn the wheel to the right full lock, and begin moving forward, and i hear and feel like a crackling sound, as in a teeth on a gear are skipping. b) as I am getting to work, 30 min. drive so car is warmed up, I do a big left hand turn, full lock, slow speed 2-5mph and the noise and feel is there again. The car has 11.8k miles on it. "well" taken cared off. so.... under case scenario a) I always thought it might be the differential engaging, because of going in reverse then forward. but under scenario b) i am thinking its the CV joint. Anyone feel this? __________________ Where are my aluminum pedals?

01-06-2010, 11:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 42 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 49	no CV, not FWD. you're SURE that the sound is coming from the rear? __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

01-06-2010, 11:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
Chupacabra Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Weston, Florida Posts: 477 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z s M6 Rep Power: 200	but the car still has cv's at the back. i mean for the whole independent suspension thing.... The noise 'comes' from the front., and I can feel it through the steering wheel, and floor board, So I thought it was the front right tire, but there really inst much there that can make that noise.... unless its a ball joint on the bottom of the suspension. __________________ Where are my aluminum pedals?

01-06-2010, 12:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 42 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 49	there has been talk about parts of the front suspension being a little loose in regards to turning. to tighten the radius. i don't know details. Binding at full lock... __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

01-06-2010, 12:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chupacabra Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Weston, Florida Posts: 477 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z s M6 Rep Power: 200	Ah nice thanks for the link.... I guess its time to take the front apart and see what is going on... thank you maestro. __________________ Where are my aluminum pedals?

01-06-2010, 11:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
KEVTEX Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Montgomery, TX Posts: 119 Drives: 2010 370Z 7at sp pg Rep Power: 16	Since the sound only happens at full lock, the first thing I'd do is verify the lug nuts are on tight. If you have wheel spacers you need to check them as well. It is hard to diagnose a sound without hearing it. Next time, have someone outside the car listen to try to isolate where the sound is coming from.

02-10-2010, 06:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
JvKintheUSA Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canton, GA Posts: 465 Drives: 2013 Shelby GT500 Rep Power: 428	Do you hear a clunk or is it a true grinding noise? __________________

02-10-2010, 06:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Feel any vibration in the steering wheel? __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

02-11-2010, 03:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
1slow370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: In the D Posts: 3,732 Drives: v8 74 260z ;) Rep Power: 7251	my car did this new. the front tires kinda scrub and slide around at slow full lock in parking lots nothing is broken the suspension just has bad angles at full lock and the front wheels fight each other to make the turn if you don't turn as tight it won't do it. If it was a joint, axle, or something mechanical it would do it ALL the time and cv's vibrate like a mofo at highway speed when they go bad.

02-11-2010, 10:39 AM	#10 (permalink)
Chupacabra Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Weston, Florida Posts: 477 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z s M6 Rep Power: 200	^^^ yeah, I took the thing apart on the weekend to look. CV's look good, but you can see scrubbing in the inside wheel well. its just a funky feeling because it feels like a grind/jumping action. Maybe they'll fix it for future generations. __________________ Where are my aluminum pedals?

02-11-2010, 10:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
z370z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Niagara Posts: 222 Drives: 09 370z 6M SPT/NAV Rep Power: 15	It's definitely the tires rubbing... i get the same thing when having to make sharp turns, the wheels rub and the vibration is felt through the steering column. At first I thought it was the brand new tires gripping the road at an awkward angle during cold temperatures however with further inspection I did find rub lines on the the inner fenders! No worries on the issue, just one disadvantage to a large sporty wheel!

02-20-2011, 07:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
Paskii Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto, CAN Posts: 198 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z A7 Rep Power: 15	Hey guys I'm experiencing this grinding noise and scrubbing as well. I just find it odd that it happens sometimes and not the time, it seems like people are saying its normal because of the wide tires but if that was true this sound and grinding should happen every time no? Does every 370z car do this or just some?

02-20-2011, 07:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
Super Tanooki Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 217 Drives: 370Z MT Base/Spt Red Rep Power: 15	My car was making crazy sounds the other day pulling out of a parking lot in full lock right. It had rained so the tarmac was wet, and it sounded like the two front wheels were tugging in different directions and causing slip on the ground. That only seemed to happen that in the wet (it doesn't rain much here obviously, so that's the first I've driven in the wet). I also get a sound sometimes pulling onto my drive at full lock - sounds like the tire making contact with the fender, but only barely. And yeah, it only does it sometimes. I tested it the other day - was doing full-lock circles in an open parking lot, looking like a right buffoon - and couldn't hear a thing. Seems strange for stock wheels on a stock car, but I'm not worried. Seems fine to me. Last edited by Super Tanooki; 02-20-2011 at 07:54 PM.

03-31-2011, 03:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
WAGAWAGA Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: riverside Posts: 155 Drives: 2010 370z Black Rep Power: 15	hey chupacabra i have experienced the same feeling many times, and was confused if i went over something or not. this is annoying as i have to make a full lock turn everytime i leave my house because the ramp is too steep and narrow, and i hear this grinding noise most of the time. have you figured out a fix for this?

03-31-2011, 03:48 PM	#15 (permalink)
Chupacabra Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Weston, Florida Posts: 477 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z s M6 Rep Power: 200	negative ghostrider... I am trying to get hold of some skinnier tires to see if that is the issue... I have just learned to live with it i guess.... __________________ Where are my aluminum pedals?