FIXED: Rear axle click clunk noise

Originally Posted by YzGyz

Those of you that did it themselves, did you unbolt the axle from the diff and smear grease between the diff and that shiney part of the axle? How much grease did yo put on there?

YzGyz

Originally Posted by juld0zer

The M77 grease is to be applied to the flat face of the outer CV only. Not the splines. The flat face is the face which butts up against the hub. It's approx 10mm wide. There is a TSB for the 370Z and many Nissan models. The TSB will
have photos that tell you where to put the grease.

Follow the specified amount - weigh the tube using digital scales before applying and during application to determine when you have administered enough grease.

From memory, i took the axles out to do the greasing because i couldnt get enough room to properly see where i was applying it. Dont take chances, order the mandatory replacement fasteners

As i said earlier, this did not solve my problem but by all means try it out if you have access to the grease.

Originally Posted by xxgary81xx

I'm not much of a mechanic and this thread hits the nail on the hear. I have ano extended 100k mile silver warranty. Is it worth trying at the dealership or better off finding a local mechanic to do it? This started a month ago and is getting more annoying

Originally Posted by Billyt858

Can some one show me the steps with photo or a youtube video on how to fix this. I am having a hard time understanding the steps. Just at the dealership now and i was charge 150 plus tax for a temp fix.

Originally Posted by juld0zer

Hey guys,
As some of you will know, i've been battling these clicking axles for a while. I have tried:
- Lazy fix - basically removing the big nut, pushing the axle in as far as possible and injecting a crapload of wheel bearing grease. Then torquing up the nut to spec. Didn't last long at all.

NB: There are 2 torque specs depending on your year model/the way the big nut is secured.

- Official Nissan fix using Molykote M77 grease. Involves removing both axles, cleaning and applying this special grease and replacing all nuts, bolts, cotter pins, caps. This solution didn't last long - i had my hopes up but i also had my doubts that this super-grease could cushion the metallic click to the point where Nissan engineers declared it as eliminated. For those who want to try it but can't find the grease, you can buy it in a tube from your Honda motorcycle dealer. Google "Honda M77 assembly paste".

- Re-torquing the nut an extra 10Nm each time the noise reappeared. I couldn't go on forever retorquing the nut. With the success i was having, i'd be up to 300Nm by now.

*drum roll*
This is the solution that has eliminated the noise for me. The noise used to come back every 4000km, on alternate sides. This solution has worked for the past 9000km (almost 5 months). I am driving the car harder now that i have some mods too. No, it doesn't involve Loctite and it doesn't cost a fortune either.

Here's what you need if you want to have a go:

- Kawasaki axle nut (yes, seriously). Part number 92210-0280. They're about $15 each from your local Kawasaki dealer. The nut is almost identical in dimensions to the OEM flange type nut - you use the same socket too. Kawasaki specifies similar torque specs to what Nissan specifies so there's no doubt the nut can handle it. It's made in Japan so it must be good, right? :P

This particular nut is castellated, so it combines the OEM big nut plus the pathetic OEM 'adjusting cap' (as fitted to 2011 models and other year models) into one nut. Unlike the weak tin steel prongs of the adjusting cap, the 6 slots in the Kawasaki nut won't get crushed over time from the constant banging of the cotter pin when you accelerate/coast. The slots are also quite snug when you use an OEM cotter pin so again, there's almost no possibility of movement.

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/photo1-1.jpg
http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/photo2-1.jpg

- 2 OEM spring washers. One for each side. You'll need the washers to make up the gap because the Kawasaki nut, being just as tall as the OEM nut, will not reach the cotter pin hole in the end of the axle. In the OEM setup, the 'adjusting cap' would sit over the nut and its prongs would reach the cotter pin hole.

- New OEM cotter pins. Don't re-use the old ones. You dont want to be forever mucking around with this.

- Torque the nut up to the OEM spec for a 370z with adjusting cap. You'll notice that the castellated slots don't line up with the cotter pin hole in the axle. This is fine. Use your breaker bar and turn the nut until the next available slot lines up with the hole.

How you torque the nut is up to you. Some prefer to mount the wheel and lower the car til the wheel touches the ground. I just put a jack stand underneath the rotor hat and lowered the car til some weight was resting on the jack stand.

- Fit NEW cotter pin and secure it properly. You might need a small hammer to push it thru.

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/photo3-1.jpg

- Reinstall wheel and enjoy

I hope you enjoy the same success as i did. You don't have to use a Kawasaki nut but any castellated nut of the same thread and diameter will be fine. Don't use an aluminium or soft metal nut.


Good luck!

Originally Posted by Wonka2581

Looking for the rear axle / hub torque specs. I have tried to find them but I have come up empty handed. Trying to fix the rear axle clunk noise. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Wonka2581

Also check out this video I found. Dude used lock tight on the axle splines? Thoughts on this instead of grease?

Originally Posted by JARblue

Different for different years. Check FSM rear axle (RAX) documentation. My 2011 FSM says 100-105 Nm for the wheel hub lock nut. I think some years call for something in the 80-85 Nm range - I don't remember exactly.



I would say that's not a big deal, but I probably wouldn't bother. He makes a good point that the splines aren't supposed to be moving at that location. The proper % moly lube (really should be more of a paste) is fine, too.

Originally Posted by Wonka2581

Awesome thank you. Mine is a 2011 as well!! Also the rear differential bolts for the axle torque specs? If you have them that would be awesome!!