Anyone here a *clunk*?
 

Does anyone hear a clunk when they place their's in drive? I have the AT but just about every time I place it into drive from park I can a *clunk*.

Thats just the gnomes sliding the cogs around.

actually i have no idea

^hahah

Most cars do the same thing. Slight clunk is nothing to worry about.

On most AT's, if there's any pressure on the transmission from sitting at an angle or any force being applied on the "park" gear, you may get a slight clunk from that pressure being released. Try leaving the car in D or R, set the parking brake, then put it in P. That should eliminate that noise. Also, just a bit of driveline play may be in the diff and tranny prior to putting it in D or R. The slack disappearing could be the source of the clunk as well. Try the first thing, and see how that works. This is extremely helpful when parking at any sort of angle.

This isnt just some slight clunk, it's loud enough to where I can hear it with the windows up and the radio on.

Just as post #6 states, if the surface is not perfectly flat you will here it. And, depending on the angle it can sound like you transmission is falling out. As stated prior, before releasing the foot brake set your park brake.

I have the automatic transmission and hear the clunk as well ever since 500 miles I noticed it. Only from N to D or N to R. Very annoying, and it does not sound right at all. I do not believe there is play in the drive train, since the clunk happens sometimes when the car is already rolling after I let my foot of the brake. It seems that when I slow down on engine-brake or regular brake and come to a slowdown or stop, then accelerate, I hear the clunk again. I read somewhere that it could be some CV joint or half-shaft or differential mount issue. I went to the dealer and he said he checked it with a new Z on the lot and said it is normal. I took his word for it, but I am going back again Saturday to actually try a new Z to see it the clunk is present on a brand new one.

its just a loud tranny guys. thats why you hear the whine a little bit while driving and such. its a sports car

I have a Manual- and my rear axle clunks around when i come to a stop / start from a stop. Its in the dealership now getting all oiled up. Its a known issue w/ all nissans and they will cover it under warranty. Im not sure if what you are hearing is the same.

I could no longer stand the rear clunk, so I went to the dealership a second time. They now say it is the driver side CV joint and ordered a new one for me. It should be here by the end of the week and I will report back.

**UPDATE**

8/03/09 - Dropped the Z off at the Nissan dealer in Streetsboro Ohio, and they have to keep it overnight. Apparently the part that came in (CV joint and wheel axle) does not match the original part. The service manager stated that Nissan made a design change after my car's production date and they have to consult with their technical support tomorrow as to how to move ahead with fixing this clunking issue. We'll see what happens next, but my advice is, if you hear a clunking noise from N to R or N to 1st and second, visit your local Nissan dealer, cause there might be an issue with your real axle/CV joints. In my case it is the right rear, although the sound seemed to come from the left rear.

Yea let us know man... make sure you dont pay a cent for these fixes!!

Well, I received a call from the service manager at Nissan, and apparently, somehow a Titan truck axle was in the 370z box they received yesterday. The 370z axle is now on back-order (I wonder why...) and he will provide me with an update tomorrow when it will arrive at the dealership.

I highly doubt that this is an isolated incident, so if you hear a clunk, see your Nissan dealer.

Hope you recorded how many miles you had on your car before you dropped it off...

I have an approximate milage, but don't they record that when you check your car in?

They are supposed to ... but if you are not paying attention they might get to have some fun at the expense of your diff and tires :) ... I mean .. sounds shady that the wrong part came ... and they get to keep your car @ the dealership...

I have an auto and hear no such sound, im at 1040mi's. If I park on an incline/decline without setting my parking brake before putting the transmission in park then I hear the transmission "clunking" into gear but besides that--nothing.


Not saying this to stir the pot, just letting you know.

Same here. Only happens on my driveway when the car is at an angle.

I hear a clunk, but its only after I step on the clutch shortly after accelerating.

this is a clunk that has nothing to do with the transmission. It is in the rear axle area of the car, and they identified it to be the CV joint

I got this clicked noise at the rear end too, and I just had it fixed. What they did was to put some lubricant (grease) into the rear axle and noise was gone. They found out that the axle was dry and don't have enough grease. There is a TSB about this problem with 350z and g35 wayback 2 to 3 years ago.

Just needs a re-greasing like bradz said - I had mine done recently and no noise issues...

I can't find that TSB you are referring to. Do you have any links? Thanks!!

I don't think we are allowed to post links. Just search it in google "clicking noise from rear axle" and you'll find the answer.

Not me, but I've heard that 'mook' is a clunk!

Yeah I've heard that too men:shakes head:

That's not it though. No clicking, just a clunk.

maybe you're experiencing different problem.

***UPDATE***
Just got back from the Nissan dealer. The axle and CV joint part is on backorder and will ship on 8/20 from Japan and will be here on 8/24. There were no replacement parts in the entire US. Three weeks is a long time for me to drive the Altima loaner, so I suggested to swap the part with a new Z on the lot and they agreed. So I should be up and running later today.

Ok i stand corrected, my car was in park on level ground today. I put it in drive and sure enough, *clunk*. It was similar to when you park on a very steep hill.

I guess if it keeps doing it I'll bring it in. Its definitely a new development for me.

Where does the sound come from? From the rear axle or transmission?

Here's a link to the TSB. I had this problem in my 04 Z. Don't know if you are having the same issue but it sounds like it.

TSB RA04-001b

It sounded like the rear of the vehicle. I'll try to remember to listen for it tomorrow when I go to WORK--:(

Yeah, my clunk clearly came from the rear axle. Initially I thought there was 'play' in the drivetrain, but it also happened after the car was already rolling with my foot off the brake and when I then accelerated it clunked. I was supposed to pick my car up today, but when they replaced the passenger side rear axle and CV joints, they said that now the driver-side is clunking as well, so they are swapping that one with a new Z on the lot tomorrow.

what is your serial number? Just trying to figure out if there was a bad lot of Z's shipped from Japan. Mine is 403032

405510

**UPDATE**
After 5 days I finally was able to pick my car up from the Nissan dealer here in Streetsboro. After swapping the passenger-side rear axle yesterday, they noticed that the driver-side rear axle has play in it as well, so they swapped that one too. My goodness, what a difference! No more clunking and also much tighter shifts. Let's hope this won't be an issue for anyone else.

I didn't notice the clunk today... So strange.

my clunk sounded like when you hit two solid metal bars together. you will definitely know when you hear it that it is not a normal sound.