Distinct Drivetrain Clicking Noise
 

I have around 3500 miles and just noticed a distinct clicking noise (one high-pitched click) immediately after I hit the accelerator and right after I let off the accelerator. It happens when I start from a standstill or when I'm rolling along in a low gear and get on or off the gas. I can't tell if it's doing it at higher speed because wind noise takes over. It's definitely not an interior rattle and I don't think it's coming from the brakes or suspension because I can't duplicate it without pushing or releasing the gas pedal. Any feedback from anyone who has experienced the same thing or suggestions for what it might be would be much appreciated. It sounds like a trip to the dealership, but I just wanted to help point them in a direction if possible.

Take it to the dealer and have them fix it. THis happend to me around the same milage. Basically it has to do with the axles and differential. They had to open the diffferential and have it lubricated and turn the axles 180 degrees. Install new codder pins and a few other hardware. BUT WOW! After this maintenance was done I felt what my car could do for the first time. It was more reponsive. Off the line it didnt feel like the VDC enganged as early. Check the nissan-techinfo.com under trans/axle clicking noise as well. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info :tup:

It was always preeminent in the celicas, well in mine and every other one I drove, always going into R nothing ever came of it though

Thank you very much! Would you say that this is something that needs to be done immediately?

no but.........I noticed it progressively got worse. the sound that is. All I know is I LOVE my Z. You have a warranty. So do it now why not. THe dealer tried giving me the run around. They didnt want to fix it. They even tried saying they lubed it but really it was a quik fix. It took 3 days. Make sure you get a rental. They owe it to you. They had to order parts and stuff so if you go there and its done in less the 6 hours they didnt do anything. Last I cant stress enough how much difference i felt in the car. I honestly thought it was just a sound. But really it effected the car. After the fix it felt like I gained 100 lbs of torque. I was AMAZED.

Im experiencing this same noise, did you ever take it to dealer to get fixed?

Yes, they retorqued a few bolts on the rear end (diff) if I understood correctly. This was around 2.5 years ago, so I don't remember exactly what they did, but no replacement parts were involved. I waited at the dealer and it was probably done in an hour or so. I've got almost 24K miles now and it hasn't happened since. My suggestion is to have a service guy go for a ride with you so that you can point out exactly what it's doing and when it's doing it.

i hear the noise but have zero performance issues. hmmm...?

Well some reassuring news, I just got a call from the dealer and they said they retightened the axle/diff bolts like you mentioned and its fixed. Im going to go pickup the car in a few hours so ill report back if that indeed fixed the problem.

for what its worth, it seems the lubing of the axles and re-torquing did the trick. Im noise free again.

Whew! I thought it was the engine lol! I have 20k on the odo and I started hearing it after I put the spacers on and got swift springs which was maybe 14k.

Mine doesnt always do it, but I stopped thinking it was the spacers when it would only make the noise when I would hit the gas at a slow roll in 1st and 2nd gears or going into a slow speed (0-10mph) turn. Also its only between 1mph and 20mph. It might do it in 3rd but I might have missed it

My BS UOA shows a healthy engine so I guess I can bring a copy of this thread to the dealer and see if the diff is the culprite!


P.S. Mine isnt 1 loud click its more like 5-6 clicks then goes away once I get over a certain speed.

The half shafts need to be re greased. Mine went "dry" at about 25k or so. They will need to keep you car most of the day, its a special grease that they have to order though.

Would explain why it sounds like its coming from the rear. So mine could be going dry at 20k. This should all be under warranty right?

Yes it is all covered unde factory drivetrain warranty. They have to take the rear wheels off and disconnect the half shaft from hub to rear diff and re-lubricate the gears so that it eliminates that "chatter/clanking" that you hear during the initial torque of takeoff and immediate deceleration.