Rant time... input would be appreciated.

cliffnotes made after my rant, questions at the end.

Took the car in to get the rear axle TSB done.

Clicking was blamed on my custom exhaust hitting supports under the car.

End result: TSB was not completed, I drive away listening to my axle click.

A few months ago, I had the dealership do some work on my car. I hit a rock and it did some front cross-member, splash gaurd, heat shield, and exhaust damage. Insurance payed for the fixes, so I took it the dealership. While I was at it, I had them do the rear axle clicking TSB. I was told they had to order some parts to do the TSB. I was kinda curious what parts they needed, because from everything Ive read on here, the TSB calls for lubricating the axle, and Ive also read here that they tighten some bolts. Never have I read they have to replace any parts. I had them replace everything accept the exhaust. Decided to pay a little extra, and purchase the Bassani exhaust and put it on myself. I did have a rattle at first, but fixed it shortly after install. So for one, I know what it sounds like when the midpipes rattle on the car, and two, when I adjusted my exhaust the second time, it was not touching, close, but no, and the rattle was gone. Ok, so thats some backround.

As soon as I got my car back a few months ago, I noticed the rear axle clicking was the same, or worse than before. The dealership called me with a follow up and asked how it went blah blah blah, at that time I said good, accept my rear axle clicking is worse, not a big deal, I'll get my car in there sometime. That time was today. They called me after "inspecting" the car, and asked when I put the exhaust on. I said a couple weeks after they fixed my car. He said that "the exhaust is touching crossbraces all over, and thats the rattle". I went down to the dealership to ask them if they definatly know the rear axle is not clicking, he really couldnt tell me. He said "they didnt put a load on the axle/wheels, but on the lift, they couldnt get it to click, but hey did notice the exhaust was touching". I explained that it was clicking before I put it on, and that it did rattle before, so I know what it sounds like. This clicking is distictly different and coming from each side of the car at different times..usually a click click, click click. He then went on to explain to me what they did for the TSB. He said "all they do is pull back the boots on each side of the axle and shoot some grease in there. I think its the stupidest TSB ever" Stupid or not, the clicking is annoying. Needless to say, I got my car back without the TSB being done, and it was blamed on my custom exhaust. ...and what parts needed to be ordered back when it was done before? Now for some questions.

1. What do they really do when they complete the rear axle click TSB?
2. Are there any parts needed to do it? Or is my dealership just stupid?
3. Does the axle clicking hurt the car? From what Ive read, it doesnt, but I want to make sure.
4. What do you fellow Z members think I should do? Should I take a mechanic for a ride, and let him hear it since they didnt even drive the stupid car? What would you do?

sorry for the rant, this is frustrating.

 

Question,is this clicking sound distintive or could it also be discribed is a rattling sound.

 

a. To those who have experienced rear axle clicking it is a unique sound. Sounds like "dropping coins on concrete."

b. The fix is a complete kit. See the service bulletin for a complete description.

c. Clicking will not harm the car its just annoying.

 

it is very distinctive, my car has done it since I bought it. It definatly doesnt sound like a rattle, definatly a click.

 

First of all, let me say I feel honored to have a real response from davidv, thank you!!

a. I guess you could say it sounds like dropping pennies on the concrete, but a little more dull sounding clicks than a metalic penny.

b. ok, so now I know the guy today really doesnt know jack, or ****.

c. good to know

I guess I'll just have to have them take another stab at it before my 60k drivetrain expiration. I'll have to drive the dipshits around to let them hear it.

 

Not that I know much about this specifically, but dealers will find any and all excuses. If they think you'll buy it, they will tell you your flux capacitor needs to be replaced.

 

I found the service manual instructions the Nissan techs use to fix this problem. I found it on the forum awhile back and made a hard copy. I plan on fixing it myself if it ever gets bad enough. This, and I plan on fixing the fuel hose recall myself if it ever dry rots.

Phuey! Pizz on Nissan techs...

 

Keep in mind that the clicking does not increase with speed. Generally its noticeable in first gear from a stop. And the sound is a dull metallic clicking noise.

Maybe you might go to a 350Z meet, find someone familiar with rear axle clicking, and let them drive you car.

Good luck.

 

dull metallic clicking noise, yes!

I drove the car around last night, specificly listening to the clicking, how it sounds, when it clicks, etc. Its DEFINATLY axle clicking. It does it from a stop, and at very low speeds. I notice it most when going slowly through parking lots, or basicly any time I'm easing around in first gear. The clicking is gone once I get some speed. I'm going to take it back to Nissan and talk to a shop manager to basicly insist they do the TSB, take him for a ride...whatever.

One thing I thought of last night. I was told "all I could hear was the exhaust" when I asked if they knew for sure there was no axle clicking. um.....how could they hear my exhaust "rattle" when the car is on a lift. The car was turned off and they were moving the wheels "by hand" to try and get the clicking sound. If I cannot get a single rattle from my exhaust going over speed bumps, or any time for that matter, I wanna know how the hell they got my exhaust to rattle when it was on the lift. My exhaust doesn't rattle, period, clearances are tight, but no rattles, I know, I put it on, and adjusted it.

conclusion: they are idiots and didnt want to mess with the TSB, exhaust seemed like a good excuse to get out of it = a waste of my time.


Thanks for the replies!!! I needed that reassurance before I went back to them.

**edit: just got off the phone with the service manager. Were going for a ride tomorrow at 9am.

 

That is not correct. It sounds like he is referring to the CV joint boots and those should not be touched. ... Overgreasing a clicking CV joint is not the way to fix it anyway. I can't beleive a Nissan service rep would even think that way.

The TSB is attached. All they do is grease the axel flange. Any heavy grease will work.

The grease merely silences the clicking by allowing the wheel hub flange to move slightly and slip smoothly and quietly on the axel flange. Other members have said they have fixed the problem by simply getting all the flange bolts super tight which eliminates the movement and slip altogher (so there is no need to silence it with grease).

I think anyone could do this TSB themselves. Any decent heavy axel grease from your auto store will work. The OP mentioned he installed his aftermarket exhaust. If you can install an exahaust system, then doing this TSB should be cake!

(Someone should give me member status so I don't have to tear down these pdfs into flat pieces to meet the size limits!) Anyways, check the attachments (which used to be one nicely indexed pdf file).

 

Hmmmm.... maybe I'll just do this myself then. I didnt realize it was so simple. I'll read throught the TSB. Maybe I'll end up cancelling the ride after all. I just figured I would have them do it since its under warranty, but obviously this is turning into a big pain in the ***. Thanks for the reply!!

 

How difficult is it to remove the drive shaft on each side?

 

Dont bother doing it by yourself, the clicking is a result of poor workmanship at the factory. All they have to do is remove 16 bolts, remove the rear axle, regrease it, and put in new bolts torqued to the correct specs.

In order for me to get mine done I needed to do the following, this will work for you as well:

1. Still have the powertrain warranty coverage
2. File a complaint with Nissan USA and get a complaint number (doesnt matter what they say) I never waited for a response
3. Bring the car to the dealer tell them you want it fixed and provide the customer complaint number
4. Leave the car there for 1 day, it should be completed in a few hours depending on how many people they have working and their work load.

I did this with no problems, the situation was corrected, and I did not pay a cent.

If you want to discuss this in greater detail please PM me and I will give you my cell number and we can talk it through throughly.

Hope this helps you out buddy.

Kay

 

^^ that does help a lot, I appreciate that.

Thanks to members of this forum, I feel like I have some options now.

 

Nissan wanted to charge me $112.00 to fix the axle click i was like fock em...

 

Guess i got lucky when I had mine fixed. They merely ordered the TSB kit, and did the fix in a few hours, no questions asked. But yes, what you are describing were exactly the same symptoms with my Z.

 

Anyone know if Gs do this also?

My buddy's G makes sounds just like what everyone is describing.

 

If your friend's G does the same thing, he should take it in for a check up anyway. It might or might not be the rear axle, but a problem nonetheless. Still in warranty I hope so.

 

Well, I've decided I'm just going to do the TSB myself.

I took the asshat for a ride. He was basicly a jerk from the get-go. Definatly not someone I felt was on my side, if you know what I mean. So I creep around the parking lot and he says "oh yea, I hear that, its not the TSB though. TSBs not for that sound." I thought in my head *this guys a jackass isnt he* ...and I said "Ok. Well, lets go for a cruise, we'll see if its my exhaust like I was told. Ill hit some bumps in the process and it should rattle." He replies "not nessesarily..." We drive. Nothing. Well thats really all there was to show him so I drove back, he had me pull it in.. He crawls under the back of my car and starts kicking my exhaust. I thought to myself *I'm about to kick you... *. I mean, his head was right there!!

Then he starts kicking one of my exhaust tips * * He comes out and said everything looks good under there but I should adjust one of my midpipes because its touching on my sway bar. He showed me with his flashlight. Ok, I agree... Then he kiiiiiiiinda agrees w/me that thats not the sound because the cars is "quiet as a mouse" <----his words, when cruising, and hitting bumps in the road...even over speed bumps. So he tells me he thinks its suspension. He wants me to adjust the midpipe and come back so they can put some device on the chassie to try and find this crazy sound. He just wants me to move the midpipe just so we know for sure thats not it. (even though the sound comes from each side of the car, strangly, from the axle area, by the tires.)

Well, really, this guy is just a moron. Its the ****ing axle clicking... Now I'm bascily done with even trying with this dealership. The last thing I need is for them to start picking around at my car because they dont realize its the axle clicking... I sense danger!!!

I agree telling him I would move the midpipe, which I will, but I'm not going back. Apparetly he doesnt believe me when I say the car has done it since I got it, before the exhaust...

Imma buy a nice six pack of IPA and do it myself sometime

 

omg, I HATE dealerships.. sounds like you took it to vision nissan here in sunny rochester, ny... bad move