does everyone have this problem?

Minicobra1

It could be a number of things, hard to pinpoint, may just be the design, but doesn't feel right and it sounds horrible outside the car while cruising a parking lot. If I push the clutch in really slow, it seams to eliminate or lesson it, with that considered it leads me to believe that it is some sort of drive train lash.
Could be from the tranny, driveshaft or differential. When I get some time I'm going under the car and see if there is any play in the drive shaft or diff.

I think anyone who is experiencing this should take it to the dealer, even if they say this is normal, at least Nissan will have some sort of record of customers complaining and may possibly issue a service bulletin with a fix.

Braden

chubbs

Your problem sounds very similar to a common issue many people had with the early 350z's (03 & 04 built cars). Nissan recogised it as a fault and issued a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) In England they repaired it free, under warranty - like other people have mentioned it was associated with the rear transmission linkage/driveshafts - near to the rear wheels. Some repairers replaced the parts, but others regreased the original parts and turned them 180degrees before replacing them. I had it done on my '03, but it hasn't been an issue on my '06.

The best way to test for it is to wind down both windows, then drive slowly backwards, slowly forwards, slowly backwards, slowly forwards, slowly backwards, slowly forwards, again and again and either listen for it yourself or get a friend to help. You're right to describe the sound as ratchety and with a bit of a clunk.

If you can hear it, it ain't right - don't be fobbed off by a dealer who says it's nothing, unless you want to live with it and have the parts fail early. It doesn't sound like a 'characteristic of the car' to me. Bummer - I thought Nissan had sorted this one out

I'll see if I can find any more information.


UPDATE - If you register with Nissanhelp.com, then click on Models, all models, 350z, 2004, then Bulletins - go to page 3 of the bulletins and you'll find a PDF of the official Nissan TSB (I won't paste it here because of possible copyright issues) "-REVISED-
2003–2005 NISSAN 350Z; CLICKING NOISE FROM REAR AXLES
A "clicking" noise is coming from the left and/or right rear axle (driveshaft) when accelerating from a stop. "
You're allowed to download it.

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Minicobra1

Thanks!! This is great info

I don't need to roll down the windows, I can hear it and feel it through the clutch pedal with the windows up. It happens when rolling forward in 1st and pushing in the clutch at a normal rate while coasting or coming to a stop. Stop and go bumper to bumper traffic in 1st gear. If I push in the clutch really slow it almost eliminates it. It doesn't sound like its coming from the rear-end, but could be, maybe it has something to do with the new style drive shaft.

chubbs

You're welcome - I hope it's not a manufacturing fault, but I'm worried that it may be. In my opinion, new cars shouldn't make those noises.

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'03 Grey >>> '06 Black >>>'10 Silver >>> '16 Grey ^

speedworks

No clunk here, but the thread on the other Z forum, I do have. It appears the front tires scrub slightly during cold temps, that create a small popping sound - basically the tire is scrubing on the ground. I would suspect over time, once the tires get a little wear on them, it will go away. Only happens on tight radius slow moving turns (backing out of garage).

tvfreakazoid

The best way to do it is to complain and complain. Hopefully then, nissan may do something about it.

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Mudders milk

Minicobra1

Had them check it out at the dealer today, the Service Advisor was familiar with the clunk sound. He even went into detail about the clunk and some small chatter after the initial clunk, calling it the cement mixer sound.
Guess I bought a $40K cement mixer with leather seats and nav

Apparently this has been an issue on some of the 350z's as well. They said Everything checks out ok, and they are going with it's a design thing.

If it is a design thing, I guess I can deal with it, but I sure don't like it.
I think it will prob take a few people to complain about this before Nissan USA would issue a fix. So, I guess I'm stuck with it for now.

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