Rear Axle Clunk (Please Report Here!)

RedZed34 · 05-07-2010, 10:09 AM

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.

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!

m4a1mustang · 05-07-2010, 10:32 AM

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.

Modshack · 05-07-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Is this your first car?

.

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

RedZed34 · 05-07-2010, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

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.

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.

dlmartin81 · 05-07-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedZed34

...Plus, I have friends with other RWD and AWD cars and I dont hear any noises like this coming from their cars.

Same here.

venus · 09-08-2013, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

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.

I'm sorry but I could not read any further. You have to be f*cking kidding me to expect this from a new car! We put a man on the Moon already – in 1969. Not acceptable in any way shape or form. I’ll sell you my supercharged 96 Miata that sticks it w/ original clutch for say 25K? What a deal. She can blow your mind at 140 somthing on the interstate top down. Little Miata goes mmmmmmm, zoom, zoom.

LennyZCSD · 09-11-2013, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

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.

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!!!

LennyZCSD · 10-07-2013, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

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.

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 · 10-07-2013, 06:15 PM

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

Brazilbro · 05-07-2010, 10:38 AM

Yup, all normal.

JvKintheUSA · 07-18-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazilbro

Yup, all normal.

Well each drive train will have a little play,but they should not have a clunk - the clunk we are experiencing is not normal IMO. I had the rear axles replaced by the dealer and that helped - car drive train felt tighter - for about 10k miles. Problem has returned however.. I cannot consider this normal, since other RWD cars do not make this clunk.

RedZed34 · 07-19-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JvKintheUSA

Well each drive train will have a little play,but they should not have a clunk - the clunk we are experiencing is not normal IMO. I had the rear axles replaced by the dealer and that helped - car drive train felt tighter - for about 10k miles. Problem has returned however.. I cannot consider this normal, since other RWD cars do not make this clunk.

Hmm... I never got my axles replaced or greased yet so it's still making the noise. However, seeing that you had this done and it still didnt help the car in the long run then I probably wont even bother unless Nissan actually does a permanent fix through a recall/bulletin. And I agree, this isnt "normal".

gufazi · 07-19-2010, 11:03 AM

1st post. Maybe a shot in the dark.

Try turning off your VDC traction control module and see if the problem, if it truly is one, persists. Some units and some cars like to run quick tests of this modules after coming to a complete stop. Sometimes those tests can be audible.

JvKintheUSA · 07-19-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gufazi

1st post. Maybe a shot in the dark.

Try turning off your VDC traction control module and see if the problem, if it truly is one, persists. Some units and some cars like to run quick tests of this modules after coming to a complete stop. Sometimes those tests can be audible.

Worth a try - I know in the manual they state that the car can make a clunk as part of the VDC testing at low speeds, but I'm pretty sure it is not the problem, but nonetheless will give a try.

dlmartin81 · 05-07-2010, 10:50 AM

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.

05-07-2010, 10:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
RedZed34 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 155 Drives: 09 370Z SR Sport Pkg Rep Power: 16	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. 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! DYNAZOR likes this.

05-07-2010, 10:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	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. Felix 808 likes this. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

05-07-2010, 10:38 AM	#10 (permalink)
Brazilbro A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,131 Drives: Juke/240Z Rep Power: 849	Yup, all normal. __________________ Juke AWD/240Z SR20 08 Evo 10(Stage 2) SOLD Fastest Sport 6spd 370Z 11.8 @126.5SOLD

05-07-2010, 10:50 AM	#15 (permalink)
dlmartin81 Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chalfont, PA Age: 44 Posts: 923 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 608	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. Initial Z likes this. __________________ Dan F.I. SS CBE 18-R \|\| Llumar 40% tint

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10-07-2013, 06:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
juld0zer Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sydney Posts: 428 Drives: 11 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 139	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

07-19-2010, 11:03 AM	#13 (permalink)
gufazi Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Springfield, Virginia Posts: 28 Drives: 09 370Z Tour Sport Rep Power: 15	1st post. Maybe a shot in the dark. Try turning off your VDC traction control module and see if the problem, if it truly is one, persists. Some units and some cars like to run quick tests of this modules after coming to a complete stop. Sometimes those tests can be audible.