Rear Axle Clunk (Please Report Here!)

RedZed34

Hmm, sorry to hear some of you guys are still experiencing this issue (or similar to what I had). The clunk/click sound that my car was making back in 2010 mysteriously went away on it's own. I didn't touch anything, didn't grease anything, nothing. So I'm not entirely sure what happened. Was very strange for it being such a pronounced sound to just go away on its own like that. Hopefully everything is still ok and my rear end doesn't randomly break or fall apart. Lol

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LennyZCSD

No this click comes from the spline at the axle hub, it's a shrug from the dealer so far, seems they have no idea on a fix,,
we need to stand together on this!!!

juld0zer

hey guys,
this i think mainly applies to 6MT models but did anyone notice their Z being sluggish off the line when they were experiencing the clicking noises?

I say mainly 6MT models because you'd feel the same sluggish/sloppy shift sensation each time you change gear because you're unloading then loading up the axles again.

By sluggish i mean it feels like the handbrake is up when you take off and the car bogs before breaking free and blasting off

Joepro

Check your rear diff mount... Can't explain how crappy it made the car feel off The line and gear changes until iI installed the whitelines... and grease those splines!

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juld0zer

apart from the typical diff mount fluid oil spattered everywhere, what else should i look for?
I don't see any leaking mounts. Does jacking up the car from the diff destroy the mounts?

My regrease attempt using wheel bearing grease didnt last long. Now both sides have a very distinct and loud metallic click each time i accelerate and let go of the pedal.

Does anyone have an explanation for why grease is required in this area?
It's NOT the splines. The grease (M77) is applied to the mating face between the axle and the backside of the hub.
When i regreased it (not using M77), as i rotated the hub, the axle of course rotates with it and so too does the mating face on the hub.
I cant see any friction.... the only thing i can think of is the grease acts as a cushion. After all, M77 is an extreme pressure grease and the high moly content works even after the carrier oil has gone

DIGItonium

Greasing the splines is one thing. Have you tighten the axle bolts? That was the issue with mine. It was loose!

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juld0zer

you mean the 32mm nut?
i torqued it up per the fsm for my year (2011) which happens to be less than lug nut torque!

some models just have the castle nut with the cotter pin thru it. mine is the one with the beer cap looking thing that goes over a normal nut.

Fountainhead

Whoa, I haven't noticed anything clunking in my rear end but I only have 15K on mine. Maybe if I get bored I'll take a look . Now I'm wondering if I should check mine on general principle.

juld0zer

if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

i started with one side clicking... regreased both sides for good measure and now both are clicking. ffs!

you'll know you've got it when feathering the clutch in 1st or reverse results in a metallic click. it's not hard to hear with stereo off or low and windows down.

LennyZCSD

This clunk comes from the rotor area not from the shaft area. it's annoying
$40,000 and it sounds like a a mustang.

juld0zer

yep, which also happens to be the region where the actual source of noise is from - the mating face between the base of the splined axle end and the hub.

embarassing indeed

espaguete

I had this issue with my 2009 370z Base Model.
Rear left axle had the clunk noise.
I took it twice to the dealer and the noise came back.
The dealer service guys were very difficult so, i called Nissan Consumer Affairs.
immediatelly, the dealer became verynhelpful and polite.
they tried one more time to disassemble and lubricate the rear axles and suspension.
the noise went away for 6 weeks and came back.
once again i took it back to them. they then tried to push it to the extended warranty company.
i told them that they would have their claim refused since this was included in the powertrain warranty.
finally they honored the factory warranty and changed my left rear axle.
its been only 2 days, so im keeping my fingers crossed that the issue is gone.
2 thumbs up tu Nissan Consumer Affairs that follow up my case all they way until the end

juld0zer

i hope i dont have to replace the axles..
i did snag the boots a few times when i removed them to clean & regrease.

i used Honda's M77 assembly paste on the mating face of the axle ends and i also put 2 rings on the splines so hopefully that will keep it all sweet.

juld0zer

Did you mean the 6 on each side, holding the axle to the diff stubs? I torqued them back up after i removed the axles completely to regrease.

The bloody click has returned, only on the right hand side one it seems.
My theory now is that the nut threads have stretched. I ordered all items marked as single use only on the FSM and i'll be replacing them soon.
- Axle nuts
- Washers under each nut
- 12 x bolts
- Adjusting caps (the beer cap looking thing) - although not listed as single use
- Cotter pins

No chances taken this time. I want the click gone for good. It's killing my enjoyment of this car.

Running4Mayor

I have the same problem. It sound like tin cans are shaking when shifting from 1st to 2nd... It's unacceptable for this to happen on a 2014 with only 700 miles on it... The dealership said this should not be happening and they're fixing the problem right now!!!