Attention Owners of 2010 370Z - Clunk Noise from Rear of Vehicle

jgalloner

I purchased a 2010 Nissan 370Z new in early 2011. Recently it began making a significant "clunk" sound from the rear of the vehicle when the brakes were applied during low speeds (such as backing up).

I took the vehicle to the dealership to have them fix the issue. They had the car for 2 1/2 weeks. During that time, they replaced several parts, including rear axle shafts and rear differential. The sound did not change.

Eventually they determined that this sound is a "normal characteristic" of this model and year and returned the car to me.

To other owners of 2010 Nissan 370Zs: Do you hear this same sound from the rear of your car? Is this in fact a characteristic of this model/year?

I posted a video of it on youtube: Nissan370z - YouTube

The clunk is actually much louder in person than it appears to be on the video.

BeemaaZ

Never heard such a noise before on my 40th. If I were you get a second opinion from another dealership or a Nissan Master Mechanic.

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homeryansta

uh.... something is wrong with your car. NOT normal.

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snowhite370

sfearl1

My 2010 doesn't make that noise. But the noise doesn't sound like anything catastrophic is wrong with it. Any vibrations or anything when brakes are being applied? Does the clunk only happen once when the brakes are applied (not a "cyclical clunk" as the wheel rotates)?

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Scott

redline727

To me it didn't sound like an axle or rear diff sound. It sounds like a braking sound like something loose with the clamping of your caliper on your pad. I wonder if it only happens under load, or if happened off the ground while on the lift as well?

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jgalloner

There are no noticeable vibrations, and the sound only happens when brakes are applied.

The dealership had a Regional Technician Specialist come up to look at the problem. They swapped rear rotors and wheels from another 370z, replaced rear axle shafts, rear differential, upper control arm. Sound didn't go away. After all this, they concluded that this is a characteristic of the model/year.

2010ZilverZ

Mine doesn't make that sound ...

DR_

I agree that it sounds more the brakes. Pull up your parking brake and see if it still makes the sound. If not it is probably somethng with the parking brake adjustment.

EndyKwon

My 2011 makes a similar noise, every now and then I think that I got rear ended. But I always assumed it was my transmission acting funny.

nmjaxx9

Oh I know this sound it comes when when I roll down a hill sometimes and hit the brakes, there is a throwback., but its normal

invader19

Clunk sound from trunk when fully stopped

But my sound is not as loud as yours. Also I will check if the sound can be heard outside the car. My sound is a small clunk heard from the rear from inside the cabin.

Cafiax

I own a 2010. I have never experienced this sound before. Def not normal.

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jgalloner

I've actually been in contact when Nissan Consumer affairs to discuss this issue. I don't buy the idea that this is a normal characteristic of a $30K+ sports car; especially since it wasn't doing it when I first bought the car.

I hope to hear back from them this week; I wanted some other owner's feedback just to make sure I wasn't being unreasonable with my expecting them to fix the problem under warranty...we'll see if they stand by their products or not I guess.

Chan Chee Hoe

Mine only got "clunk" sound when i shift the drive selector from "D" to "R".