Rear Axle Clunk (Please Report Here!)
 

Hey everyone,
I know there's a bunch of threads already started about the noises that the rear axles are making when the car starts from a complete stop, but I really think us as owners need to report these things direct to Nissan USA. If Nissan doesnt know these problem exist, then they can't fix them either. At the moment, there is no recall or bulletin for the problem, but I really think there's a design issue here. From what I can tell, the main reason for the noise is simply because there's play or slop in the axle splines causing a clunk when power is applied to the drivetrain (the axles specifically)... so it's obviously not a tight fit. So the dealers solution is just to remove the axles and put grease on the splines and re-assemble. Now to me, that's not a permanent fix, just a temporary solution to "hide" the noise. Think about it, eventually the grease is either going to wear down or sqeeze out and we will be back to square one. Also, how long are these axles going to last if the splines aren't tight? Premature wear and/or failure? This precedure was also done on previous 350z's, but I think its BS! You think Nissan would have figured it out by now. So here I am with a brand new 2009 Z with only 1,800 miles on it and I have to rip apart the whole rear end and do something that's not really even a fix.:rolleyes: I hear this problem is also quite common with the new G37's as well. Nissan really needs to either re-engineer the axles and send out replacements or revamp the entire rear drivetrain assembly. I dont know. Does anyone agree?

So guys, if your experiencing this problem, please dont consider it "normal". It's not! I can go out and buy a cheap Kia for $10,000 and not hear any axles clicking or clunking, ya know?

So please report your issues to Nissan USA...

Nissan Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin TN 37068-5003
(800) NISSAN-1 (or 800-647-7261)
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern / Central Time / Pacific Time
Monday through Friday

Thanks!

Is this your first car?

Drive line "clunk" on RWD cars is pretty normal... There's always some play between the components. When you apply power the drive train loads (from front to rear, obviously), and as it does you may hear a clunk from the rear end... The same thing happens if you pull out of the throttle rather quickly in a high gear.

This is the reason why, when at the drag strip, experienced drivers tell you to "load" the drive train up when you stage so you don't shock the rear end on launch.

Yup, all normal.

LOL...I taught you well my son....:tup:

No I've had other cars before this, just recently traded in my WRX for the Z. But yes, its my first RWD car. And yes, your right there is going to be some play in the components, but it should be minimal. The clunk that I'm experiencing isn't just a faint clunk. Its quite loud. The techs at my local dealership heard it across the parking lot as I moved the car to go park it. They even said it sounded pretty bad to them. Plus, I have friends with other RWD and AWD cars and I dont hear any noises like this coming from their cars.

So question for everyone that says it's "normal" is... Why does my dealership feel the need to work on my car then? I'm not trying to be a smart a$$ here. Its just obvious to me that something isnt right... otherwise the dealership wouldn't take the time do something about it nor would they admit themselves that it doesnt sound good to them.

Is the noise something like a chatter when load is applied under 3K? Cause I'm experiencing something like that. It sounds like a rattle....kind of like a tin can filled with pebbles. I know it's not a loose cat heat shield because I've experienced that in the past with other car and that is far more noisier. The sound I hear is a bit more subtle but noticeable from the outside.

This is my first RWD car so maybe it's normal. My inspection is up next month and I plan to bring it up to the techs.

Same here.

No, its almost like a series of clunks/clacks... either as I start moving forward or backwards as torque is applied. I didn't notice it when I picked up the car either. I started to notice it at around 1,000 miles or so and its gotten progessively louder.

Is it just me or are a bunch of sports car newbs suddenly buying evo Xs and Zs? The clunk usually means you need to get your rear axle greased - this is covered under warranty @ your local nissan dealer... no need to call consumer affairs - these cars already sell as well as they are going to... and honestly - nissan may loose 2-3% of its customers to the Z if they didnt give an eff about fixing the clunk (they know ppl will buy the car no matter what)... so if i was nissan... i would be more worried about my next set of cars etc etc...

Like I have said before: its a sports car... it will make noise, it will clunk, and it will need attention from the owner a lot more than a corolla... it will also corner at 1g and get to 60 in 5... there is a price you pay for those things... and part of that price is a noisy cabin / clutch and axle..

^^ someone's tired and annoyed.

Yeah, I understand its a sports car and it will be noisier than your everyday civic, corolla whatever... the cabin noise, the clutch & throwout bearing noises dont bother me, but the noise from the rear is different. I seriously doubt other sports cars do the same thing. I've had numerous rides in corvettes, porsche's, etc... and I've never noticed the same thing. Even if the noise was there, it certainly wasnt as loud as my car. Yes, they are more expensive cars, but its the same principle. If the sound was hardly noticable and it did it all the time... fine. But when you can hear it 30ft.. 40ft.. away, that just isn't right.

And I guess the oil temp issues with the 370z is also "normal" because it's a sports car and it happens to all of us. Again, if nissan was smart and installed an oil cooler from the factory, this wouldnt be an issue either. Now to even put one on is a concern because it will probably void the warranty?? I'm sorry, I still disagree with the people that call these types of things "normal".

:iagree: WERRRRRD

where exactly i have to apply the grease? is it covered in the service manual?

Thanks

we, only worry about the oil temps because we have a guage to look at...350s no guage no problem...

Giving the Z extra G's

Non sport .94
Sport .98
Nismo .99

No rounding off in the sports car world....lol.:happydance: