Rear Axle Clunk (Please Report Here!)

Voice59 · 10-24-2013, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlmartin81

Is the noise something like a chatter when load is applied under 3K? Cause I'm experiencing something like that. It sounds like a rattle....kind of like a tin can filled with pebbles. I know it's not a loose cat heat shield because I've experienced that in the past with other car and that is far more noisier. The sound I hear is a bit more subtle but noticeable from the outside.

This is my first RWD car so maybe it's normal. My inspection is up next month and I plan to bring it up to the techs.

I've been getting the SAME exact sound lately on mine. And I couldn't figure out what it was. I drive a manual so I thought it was only when I engaged the clutch...but it's not. It seems to happen almost always if the car hasn't been warmed up..and I drive off immediately.. It'll continue until it's "warm". I would definitely like some clarification if anyone has come up with a cause.

The sound I'm hearing isn't the clunk or sound that the OP talked about. Mine happens while the car is already in motion and especially on turns. It just sounds like.. a little bit of a rattle like my exhaust is vibrating against the car. But I checked that. I have no idea what it is. But I've looked under the car..nothing is stuck, binding, loose, etc.

osbornsm · 10-24-2013, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voice59

Mine happens while the car is already in motion and especially on turns.

Sway bar links or their bushing?

juld0zer · 10-24-2013, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Running4Mayor

I have the same problem. It sound like tin cans are shaking when shifting from 1st to 2nd... It's unacceptable for this to happen on a 2014 with only 700 miles on it... The dealership said this should not be happening and they're fixing the problem right now!!!

this sounds like a different noise.
what RPM are you shifting at? did you record any video?
could this be the shifter rattle?

be sure to update us on the outcome.

Running4Mayor · 10-25-2013, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juld0zer

this sounds like a different noise.
what RPM are you shifting at? did you record any video?
could this be the shifter rattle?

be sure to update us on the outcome.

I got the car back and they said everything is in good working order. They clunk I heard when shifting from 1st to 2nd at low RPM is because of the close gear ratio. Me and the manger drove two other Zs and they were doing the same thing. So I guess its normal

DOOMMONKEY777 · 10-26-2013, 10:01 PM

Had that, fixed that, now my clutch is clicking not the axle, what now?

Mandingo · 10-27-2013, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOOMMONKEY777

Had that, fixed that, now my clutch is clicking not the axle, what now?

Is the pedal assembly clicking or is the sound coming from under the car?

LennyZCSD · 10-28-2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandingo

Is the pedal assembly clicking or is the sound coming from under the car?

It's the left rear axle that clunks on my 370 as the wheel starts to roll mostly going backwards,, My 32 year old daily driver 280ZXT has less wierd noises that a 60,000 mile 3 year old 370.. I should swap motors and sell it LOL.

Voice59 · 10-28-2013, 08:57 PM

A co worker of mine who worked at Nissan as a maintainer for about 6 years did a ride along with me and couldn't figure out what mine was. I'm going to take it in to the dealership and have them look at it, as the noise is becoming ridiculous while driving on a "cold" engine. Hopefully it's covered in the warranty.

juld0zer · 11-21-2013, 05:15 PM

1000km later with the RHS nut done up to 115Nm and still no click/clunk

If anyone has the adjusting cap and spring washer, it's pretty safe to torque it up in steps til the noise disappears.

Same axle is used in the plain nut + cotter pin models which take 185Nm according to the FSM. So the threads on the axles shouldn't get ruined with more torque. Maybe the nut.
You won't crush any bearings either, so no fear.
Just don't use a rattle gun.

DOOMMONKEY777 · 11-29-2013, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandingo

Is the pedal assembly clicking or is the sound coming from under the car?

Umm yep under the car, the click comes right after the car is in motion and i depress the clutch completely. That let go of the clutch is when the click sound comes, only when the car is cold after that its gone till next cold start every start.

espaguete · 12-01-2013, 10:56 PM

Mine wasn't related to the clutch at all.
If I took off very slow and completely release the clutch, no issue.
Once I pushed the gas enough to push power on the axle, the left rear axle would click. Same sound for stronger downshifts.
It happened whether the car was warm or cold.
Luckily after several visits to Nissan dealership and one open case with Nissan customer support, they finally changed my left rear axle. Only the left unfortunately. Hopefully the right axle will hold since my warranty will expire in February 2014.
I love the car but the service and the warranty ethics are very weak to say the least.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

fuct · 12-02-2013, 10:14 AM

mine has clicked for 30k miles. i just pretend its some uber cool expensive two piece brake rotors.

Voice59 · 12-13-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOOMMONKEY777

Umm yep under the car, the click comes right after the car is in motion and i depress the clutch completely. That let go of the clutch is when the click sound comes, only when the car is cold after that its gone till next cold start every start.

Nissan pretty much figured out what mine was. I was slightly overdue for an oil change and when I took it in to get that done they thought it might be because I was 2 qts low on oil. Anyway, once they changed the oil it was good. Which explained why it would make the sound when it's cold and as the oil warmed up...it would go away.

Check your oil man, it's probably valve chatter.

PEPI · 12-14-2013, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juld0zer

1000km later with the RHS nut done up to 115Nm and still no click/clunk

If anyone has the adjusting cap and spring washer, it's pretty safe to torque it up in steps til the noise disappears.

Same axle is used in the plain nut + cotter pin models which take 185Nm according to the FSM. So the threads on the axles shouldn't get ruined with more torque. Maybe the nut.
You won't crush any bearings either, so no fear.
Just don't use a rattle gun.

-----------------------------------------

I have the exact same 'click' noise when I am driving from start. I am noticing lately that the clicking noise will happen as well as i down change gears at low speeds - i can hear it.....

I have 2009 6MT

limited733 · 03-13-2014, 01:14 PM

Any news from Nissan anybody?Anything official?Technical information number?Have the same problem with 37.000. Bought used a month ago..

10-26-2013, 10:01 PM	#65 (permalink)
DOOMMONKEY777 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Crooklyn Posts: 1,008 Drives: 370Z 6psd-sport-pkg Rep Power: 21	Had that, fixed that, now my clutch is clicking not the axle, what now? __________________ Kids don't do Drugs, Drugs are bad, so let the professional druggies do Drugs for you. 537whp/496lb/tq@8-9PSI 93 octane

10-28-2013, 08:57 PM	#68 (permalink)
Voice59 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Va Beach, Virginia Posts: 1,418 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 16	A co worker of mine who worked at Nissan as a maintainer for about 6 years did a ride along with me and couldn't figure out what mine was. I'm going to take it in to the dealership and have them look at it, as the noise is becoming ridiculous while driving on a "cold" engine. Hopefully it's covered in the warranty. Presto likes this.

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11-21-2013, 05:15 PM	#69 (permalink)
juld0zer Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sydney Posts: 428 Drives: 11 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 139	1000km later with the RHS nut done up to 115Nm and still no click/clunk If anyone has the adjusting cap and spring washer, it's pretty safe to torque it up in steps til the noise disappears. Same axle is used in the plain nut + cotter pin models which take 185Nm according to the FSM. So the threads on the axles shouldn't get ruined with more torque. Maybe the nut. You won't crush any bearings either, so no fear. Just don't use a rattle gun.

12-01-2013, 10:56 PM	#71 (permalink)
espaguete Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cordova Posts: 7 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z Red Rep Power: 14	Mine wasn't related to the clutch at all. If I took off very slow and completely release the clutch, no issue. Once I pushed the gas enough to push power on the axle, the left rear axle would click. Same sound for stronger downshifts. It happened whether the car was warm or cold. Luckily after several visits to Nissan dealership and one open case with Nissan customer support, they finally changed my left rear axle. Only the left unfortunately. Hopefully the right axle will hold since my warranty will expire in February 2014. I love the car but the service and the warranty ethics are very weak to say the least. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12-02-2013, 10:14 AM	#72 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	mine has clicked for 30k miles. i just pretend its some uber cool expensive two piece brake rotors.

03-13-2014, 01:14 PM	#75 (permalink)
limited733 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 13 Drives: 370Z Pearl white Rep Power: 13	Any news from Nissan anybody?Anything official?Technical information number?Have the same problem with 37.000. Bought used a month ago..