does everyone have this problem?
 

i got my Z a couple weeks ago
and i noticed that theres a "clunking" sound when engaging the clutch quickly
at low rpms at low speeds... (like while driving around parking lots)

anyone else have this problem? or is it just me?

I believe I saw similar post on the my350z forum. Sorry didn't really read it.

edit - looks like it may be diff issue.. it relates more with suspension.

http://my350z.com/forum/2009-370z/41...uspension.html

I haven't noticed this with my Z. Did this just start or has it always been like this?

Yea it happens to G37 guys too.
Look around in this thread a bunch of guys say they have it.
Some claim its from the diff, others say its from engaging to quickly and 'shocking the drivetrain'

Either way the general consensus is that low RPMs + quick clutch from 1-2 makes the clunk.
I don't know if there is remedy or if people are just accepting that it happens. Good luck.

Haven't noticed it on mine, but my 2004 F-150 did that at low speeds, and the only cure was to greae the driveshaft, which lasted about 2 weeks. If my car develops this issue I'll let you know.

I had the same issue with my 350z back in 04, took it in to the dealership and found no problems. My new 370z makes the same click. I think its normal.

good to know its not just me..
i guess the car doesnt like to be driven slowly hehe

Yes, I have the same clunk, sometimes it's a clunk, then a slight rattle that will follow. Only notice at low rpm while in 1st, usually while cruising a parking lot.
It's very annoying. Was going to take it back to dealer if I get some time this next week. I hope that there is a solution. I posted elsewhere and someone mentioned it could be driveline lash or drivetrain lash. :mad:

Braden

I don't have this noise, but I will say that I find 2nd gear somewhat 'grabby'. It's a lot harder to shift from 1st into 2nd smoothly than, say, 2nd to 3rd, or 3rd to 4th, etc. It takes a bit more 'finesse' to shift into 2nd smoothly. So if you're dropping the clutch in rapidly, I could see how that would cause some clunking noises. What I tend to do is 'lead in' with the throttle a little more when upshifting into 2nd. In other words, I press the gas pedal a little deeper, and a split second sooner, before letting in the clutch than I do when upshifting into other gears. At first, it felt a little strange, but once I got used to it, it just felt completely normal and I don't even consciously think about it anymore, and my upshifts into 2nd feel smooth now. BUT, this is harder to do at low speeds. If you're accelerating, it's easy to do this. But if you're not trying to accelerate, then you're not going to be pressing the gas pedal down much, if at all. So this method won't work if you're just trying to creep along at a constant speed. The only option in this case is to feather-in the clutch a little more gently. And if none of this improves matters, then I'd take it to the dealership.

It has been fairly common with the 350Z to have this "clunk" with the transmission. My 1-2 shift has always been clunky and jerky. It is worse after a cold start, but engagement is never smooth or consistent.

So with everyone complaining about the same "clunking" gearbox issue, it seems like Nissan will never get their transmission designs down.

Not trying to be pessimistic, the clunking and notchiness gets worse over time.

Is this something to worry about?

I have the same problem on the car, since the first day i got it. its almost as you can feel the transmission spinning through the clutch pedal when engaging it. the feeling disappears once your in 3rd and going up gears.

I did not however feel it on the 350z nismo.

It could be a number of things, hard to pinpoint, may just be the design, but doesn't feel right and it sounds horrible outside the car while cruising a parking lot. If I push the clutch in really slow, it seams to eliminate or lesson it, with that considered it leads me to believe that it is some sort of drive train lash.
Could be from the tranny, driveshaft or differential. When I get some time I'm going under the car and see if there is any play in the drive shaft or diff.

I think anyone who is experiencing this should take it to the dealer, even if they say this is normal, at least Nissan will have some sort of record of customers complaining and may possibly issue a service bulletin with a fix.

Braden

Your problem sounds very similar to a common issue many people had with the early 350z's (03 & 04 built cars). Nissan recogised it as a fault and issued a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) In England they repaired it free, under warranty - like other people have mentioned it was associated with the rear transmission linkage/driveshafts - near to the rear wheels. Some repairers replaced the parts, but others regreased the original parts and turned them 180degrees before replacing them. I had it done on my '03, but it hasn't been an issue on my '06.

The best way to test for it is to wind down both windows, then drive slowly backwards, slowly forwards, slowly backwards, slowly forwards, slowly backwards, slowly forwards, again and again and either listen for it yourself or get a friend to help. You're right to describe the sound as ratchety and with a bit of a clunk.

If you can hear it, it ain't right - don't be fobbed off by a dealer who says it's nothing, unless you want to live with it and have the parts fail early. It doesn't sound like a 'characteristic of the car' to me. Bummer - I thought Nissan had sorted this one out :shakes head:

I'll see if I can find any more information.


UPDATE - If you register with Nissanhelp.com, then click on Models, all models, 350z, 2004, then Bulletins - go to page 3 of the bulletins and you'll find a PDF of the official Nissan TSB (I won't paste it here because of possible copyright issues) "-REVISED-
2003–2005 NISSAN 350Z; CLICKING NOISE FROM REAR AXLES
A "clicking" noise is coming from the left and/or right rear axle (driveshaft) when accelerating from a stop. "
You're allowed to download it.

I think this low speed clunking sound is exactly what my 350Z has done since day one. I hear it loudest when I'm parking in an alleyway where I can hear the sounds bouncing back off of the walls. I think its normal and its never concerned me at all. Its kind of like a metallic knocking sound when the clutch is pressed in and released at low speeds. Drive train lash or something. I dont think its a problem.

Thanks!! This is great info :tup:

I don't need to roll down the windows, I can hear it and feel it through the clutch pedal with the windows up. :mad: It happens when rolling forward in 1st and pushing in the clutch at a normal rate while coasting or coming to a stop. Stop and go bumper to bumper traffic in 1st gear. If I push in the clutch really slow it almost eliminates it. It doesn't sound like its coming from the rear-end, but could be, maybe it has something to do with the new style drive shaft. :confused:

G37s have the exact same problem.. every dealer says its "normal".. it drove me nuts!

You're welcome - I hope it's not a manufacturing fault, but I'm worried that it may be. In my opinion, new cars shouldn't make those noises.

No clunk here, but the thread on the other Z forum, I do have. It appears the front tires scrub slightly during cold temps, that create a small popping sound - basically the tire is scrubing on the ground. I would suspect over time, once the tires get a little wear on them, it will go away. Only happens on tight radius slow moving turns (backing out of garage).

The best way to do it is to complain and complain. Hopefully then, nissan may do something about it.

Had them check it out at the dealer today, the Service Advisor was familiar with the clunk sound. He even went into detail about the clunk and some small chatter after the initial clunk, calling it the cement mixer sound.:eekdance:
Guess I bought a $40K cement mixer with leather seats and nav :mad:

Apparently this has been an issue on some of the 350z's as well. They said Everything checks out ok, and they are going with it's a design thing.

If it is a design thing, I guess I can deal with it, but I sure don't like it.
I think it will prob take a few people to complain about this before Nissan USA would issue a fix. So, I guess I'm stuck with it for now. :shakes head:

you are giving up that easily? Id call Nissan, not the dealer. My roomates G37 coupe makes no noise that I can tell.

Yeah I would pursue the issue further with Nissan. Mine does not make any such noises and what you are experiencing does not sound normal.

I was thinking of going and test driving another 370z at a dealer to see if it makes the noise, I'll probably do that this next weekend. should write a letter to Nissan too.

Yea lest us know.
That's best way to is to send a letter to nissan HQ's. Hopefully more people will complain about it.

Hmmmmmmm - so does that mean that everyone whose car DOES NOT have your clunking sound has a faulty car?????? Forgive me, but do I smell the slightly unpleasant odour of Dealer Bull$hit here?

It sounds very similar to my discussions with Nissan UK about my skipping CD's in the 350Z Bose head unit - they insisted that the fact that it was unplayable for the first 20minutes of any journey in cold weather was a "Feature Of The Unit". They installed a total of 4 more refurbished units, all of which displayed the same 'feature', and then finally they capitulated and provided me with a brand new head unit which worked perfectly from Day One. I can only assume that this brand new unit was faulty, because it did not have the 'skipping CD's' feature that it should have had.

Don't take Bull**** for an answer mate... and for Godsake write those letters/make a note of all phone calls.

Well said :tup: Now I just need the correct address/branch so that it doesn't fall on deaf ears.

1. Nissan Customer Services - should be on the Nissan USA website? Phone them and get the details of the person in charge. (sorry, I'm in England & my contacts would be no good to you at all!).

2. Managing Director of the Dealership you bought the car from.

3. Carlos Ghosn. I'm sure he'd like to know.

...don't forget to tell them you know of several 370Z's that DON'T have this noise.

It honestly may just take some time.. if you browse about this over on MYG37 you will hear about the same problem... and it took a few months for the dealership to admit there was even a problem.. i was in your shoes about a year ago with this.. hope my new Z doesnt do the same thing :(

:icon18:

Hope they will fix this problem as soon as possible . because these wired sound i dont like them while driving .

Did you get to test drive another one this weekend, Minicobra?

Hey Chubbs,

no, unfortunately I didn't, lots of stuff going on right now, but I will find the time soon, need to bump it up on my list of priorities. ;)
I'll let you know if I find a defective one (one that doesn't make the noise) :rofl2: Thanks!

Braden

Yeah - If you find a defective one, make sure you tell everyone not to touch it - Wouldn't want anyone buying a clunkless Z, now would we?

yeah i had the same issue with my 03 350z and i do notice it sometimes in the 370z but you do have a realize they are using if I'm not mistaken 22lbs clutch and 23 lbs flywheel. so there is some pretty good vibrations going on there. I think it's just some clutch and throw out bearing noise nothing to worry about. I put 46000 miles on the 350z before trading it and never had an issue with the noise.

i just got a 2009 370z and i am having the same clunking noise i should gotten the automatic. my 03 350 had the same problem ,you would think that nissan would get it right but i guess they did not.:mad::mad::mad:

What's worse? Clunk noise or notchy gearbox? As long as it is silky smooth and effortless to get in gear, I don't mind the clunk. However, with my Z33 the gear clunk was associated with the notchy feeling.

Okay, I hope this question doesn't offend anyone, but you guys who have this clunking problem -- don't you test drive your cars before buying them? I would think that you would have noticed this during the test drive.

Is the clutch and flywheel considered heavy?

i dont have my 370z yet...

however, like posted above, it could be the throw out bearing...

i say this because in germany i had a bmw that would do the exact same thing as described here. I took it to the bmw dealership in germany and they told me it was the throw out bearing and that it wasnt a issue yet, but it was a used b-mer and i didnt want to pay to have the bearing replaced, kept it for a few more years after that then sold it and moved to the states.

it always did that clunk when engaging the clutch too quickly and the ratchet sound when moving slow threw parking lots.

ok here it is off my invoice:
tech notes-tech was adised from tech line to perform bulletin on noise from axels. "note" this is a temp fix, if noise comes back on need to conact nissan. Tech removed both rear axels, regreased them, and turned them 180 degrees from their original spot.
DAT: 40073-0L700 Sympt code: ZL DIAG CODE: 46

ok so after this maintence was done I felt a WORLD! of difference. The car is way torqier. Also my VDC doesnt ingage so pointlessly. I used to give the car some gas and the VDC would just kick in at very little torque. Sooo....my guess was the "looseness" in the fangs inside the pumpkin where triping the VDC into thinking slip. bottom line....after having my car for 4 months, I finally took it for its first real drive today and felt what she should have been like the whole time.

Dealer info:
Nissan of Visalia
(559) 734-3333

if this helps then please hit me up for cred points...lol thanks.

Don't you guys notice a pattern in our beaZts? The '03 350Z had all kindsa bugs; by the '04.5 issue, most bugs were corrected. Then, in the '06, the oil-consumption issue popped up. All other 350Z models were O.K. Out comes the monZter 370Z, and a whole new set of roaches start appearing! Similar but different (although the clunky MTs issue manages to stay afloat!) So, either Nissan's engineers are dumb, or they're simply ignoring our claims!