Rear Axle Clunk (Please Report Here!)

Originally Posted by RedZed34

Hey everyone,
I know there's a bunch of threads already started about the noises that the rear axles are making when the car starts from a complete stop, but I really think us as owners need to report these things direct to Nissan USA. If Nissan doesnt know these problem exist, then they can't fix them either. At the moment, there is no recall or bulletin for the problem, but I really think there's a design issue here. From what I can tell, the main reason for the noise is simply because there's play or slop in the axle splines causing a clunk when power is applied to the drivetrain (the axles specifically)... so it's obviously not a tight fit. So the dealers solution is just to remove the axles and put grease on the splines and re-assemble. Now to me, that's not a permanent fix, just a temporary solution to "hide" the noise. Think about it, eventually the grease is either going to wear down or sqeeze out and we will be back to square one. Also, how long are these axles going to last if the splines aren't tight? Premature wear and/or failure? This precedure was also done on previous 350z's, but I think its BS! You think Nissan would have figured it out by now. So here I am with a brand new 2009 Z with only 1,800 miles on it and I have to rip apart the whole rear end and do something that's not really even a fix. I hear this problem is also quite common with the new G37's as well. Nissan really needs to either re-engineer the axles and send out replacements or revamp the entire rear drivetrain assembly. I dont know. Does anyone agree?

So guys, if your experiencing this problem, please dont consider it "normal". It's not! I can go out and buy a cheap Kia for $10,000 and not hear any axles clicking or clunking, ya know?

So please report your issues to Nissan USA...

Nissan Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin TN 37068-5003
(800) NISSAN-1 (or 800-647-7261)
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern / Central Time / Pacific Time
Monday through Friday

Thanks!

Originally Posted by shabarivas

Is it just me or are a bunch of sports car newbs suddenly buying evo Xs and Zs? The clunk usually means you need to get your rear axle greased - this is covered under warranty @ your local nissan dealer... no need to call consumer affairs - these cars already sell as well as they are going to... and honestly - nissan may loose 2-3% of its customers to the Z if they didnt give an eff about fixing the clunk (they know ppl will buy the car no matter what)... so if i was nissan... i would be more worried about my next set of cars etc etc...

Like I have said before: its a sports car... it will make noise, it will clunk, and it will need attention from the owner a lot more than a corolla... it will also corner at 1g and get to 60 in 5... there is a price you pay for those things... and part of that price is a noisy cabin / clutch and axle..

Originally Posted by RedZed34

Yeah, I understand its a sports car and it will be noisier than your everyday civic, corolla whatever... the cabin noise, the clutch & throwout bearing noises dont bother me, but the noise from the rear is different. I seriously doubt other sports cars do the same thing. I've had numerous rides in corvettes, porsche's, etc... and I've never noticed the same thing. Even if the noise was there, it certainly wasnt as loud as my car. Yes, they are more expensive cars, but its the same principle. If the sound was hardly noticable and it did it all the time... fine. But when you can hear it 30ft.. 40ft.. away, that just isn't right.

And I guess the oil temp issues with the 370z is also "normal" because it's a sports car and it happens to all of us. Again, if nissan was smart and installed an oil cooler from the factory, this wouldnt be an issue either. Now to even put one on is a concern because it will probably void the warranty?? I'm sorry, I still disagree with the people that call these types of things "normal".

Originally Posted by ZeeRay

Well guys I have this clunk that just developed as well. Before any of the locals try to flame me as a newbie or some turnip wagon ballast let me state the following. One until about 3 years ago I was an L-1 certified ASE autotech, I have built and driven more cars than no doubt 85% of those on this forum, and grew up in a prototype aerospace machine shop.
When it comes to tolerances and proper operation I think I can safely say that I have a pretty damn good grasp on things. This noise is what makes you lean directly to the typical U-joint or ring and pinion slack. Of course our independent suspension gives us the option of CV shafts as well.
Regardless, don't let anyone tell you that this is acceptable. It is a sign of wear and loss of operable tolerances. I have just over 7,000 miles on my Z and don't drive it hard. This is unacceptable and only going to get worse.
Reading here and listening to some of these guys bash others for being concerned and happily driving their cars while destroying parts of them is enough to make me turn a deaf ear.
If some of you want to leave it and sound like your driving on square tires because your car isn't a rolls royce go ahead. I would rather have mine in proper operating order.

P.S. It goes to the dealer in the A.M.

Originally Posted by shabarivas

... it will also corner at 1g and get to 60 in 5... there is a price you pay for those things... and part of that price is a noisy cabin / clutch and axle..