mike212

I have an '07 with ~60K miles on it. I have the trunk rattle issue that gets louder as the temperature drops. I've been to three different Nissan service centers and no one has found the problem. They drove around with the hatch off, spare tire out and the problem was still there. They checked the suspension and said it's fine. So far I've only replaced the hatch gas struts and the problem is still there.

Its about 10F outside today. I decided to drive around in an area with many potholes and 3 speed bumps while filming the trunk. The scratching noise is the tape holding onto the phone. In the second video, the tape couldn't hold on anymore (too cold) so the camera fell but kept filming. The noise is driving me #@*!ing crazy. The noise disappears when its above 60F out. Any suggestions?

HanoverZ

iTrader: (2)

The most common sources seem to be the latch assembly and the inside plastic cover of the hatch. Search around, there are a lot of threads with info and DIY fixes.

mike212

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried both before posting the video. Anything else you think it could be?

mike212

I've been advised to replace the rear strut top hats. Anyone have a better idea of what these parts are? I don't have knowledge of the suspension.

dtowngreg

iTrader: (2)

same exact thing mine does. 56k miles on my 07

i rode around with the hatch open and it still makes the noise. its not the hatch at all. its gotta be in the suspension

would this be the piece that needs to be replaced?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Rear-Upp...9317f5&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KYB-SM5482-R...d00d51&vxp=mtr

Zmindset

Same thing happens to my 07...i also noticed it only happens when its cold but only on a cold start up.
I dont pay much mind to it as i know the cold will stiffen suspension and other parts. Have you tried turning up the heat, or driving it around for awhile to loosen up the suspension? I beleave mine goes away after some driving.

mike212

Dealership is repairing this. I'll let you guys know what was done and the parts that were ordered on Monday.

08EG

Mike, I have this also and live in NJ.

My car only has 22k, got it last spring in mint condition (it is a 2008 and now its 2013), when it was cold it makes the sound. I had the dealer change some gaskets in the shock, it got warm literally the same day and went away for the summer.

However, it is STILL there now that winter has been back. I have been to the dealer 3 times. No answers, they basically give up.

It seems a TON of Z owners from the forums (the ones who live in cold climates) get the sound.

The only thing I heard that makes sense is the shock/strut "fork" has one side where the hole is a bit larger than the bolt. Cold shrinks it a bit making it worse. Some people have used a washer or something to fill up the space and also use expanding foam above the shock in a hollow cavity to soak up any sound. I got a referral for a mechanic in Long Island who works on the Z, but thats just a bit far for me.

If you find this to work, or any other solution, PLEASE remember to post back here and in the other related threads.

Insane Nissan did not create a fix for this.

mike212

The dealership said the rear strut top hats need to be replaced. I had no idea wtf they meant because I have limited knowledge of suspension components. They quickly rattled off a list of parts and I just told them to replace it as long as the sound will be gone. I did some googling and it looks like strut top hats are "strut mounts" & hardware:

http://cdn0.autopartsnetwork.com/ima...640/905985.jpg

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...699&cc=1437463

I would guess that these mounts are what link the suspension to the car chassis. They probably soften the blow between the suspension and car itself every time you drive over a pothole. In my case with ~65k miles I'm not surprised these are already worn. 08EG, with 22K, I'm not sure what to tell you.

The parts associated with replacing all of this were ordered by my dealer a few days ago. They are hoping the parts will come in on Monday. I'll pick up a print out of the parts they've ordered and post an image here. I don't have high hopes for this supposed "fix" just yet. Three other Nissan dealers were not able to find the source of the problem.

Edit: If you look at the second link in this post, the video explains things pretty well.

08EG

OK good stuff. Let us know what happens!

dtowngreg

iTrader: (2)

thanks man,keep us updated

mike212

Replace everything that is hilighted

n7zfe

Yes, please let us know how this works out. I think I have the same noise, only when the weather's relatively cold. I have disassembled/removed most of the stuff in the back of my car, and it hasn't helped.

mike212

I highlighted the parts that were replaced in the image above this post. This is what fixed the noise in my Z.

n7zfe

This is good news! My 350Z is currently hibernating in my car port under a car cover until Spring, and I will get it fixed first thing. That is such an annoying rattle.

08EG

I had this done already and so did a few others I have chatted with about the sound.

Lets give it a little time, report back in a week or two and see if the fix works, remember it got warm out this week. Its literally 50 out today and tonight here in the greater New York area where you are living.

08EG

Some guys have also lubed up this area. Maybe the lube works? Anyone try it?

Here is a picture

https://my350z.com/forum/attachments...-fix-zlube.jpg

trobee

Thanks a lot OP. How much did all the parts and labor cost?

dtowngreg

iTrader: (2)

^^ what he said

zakmartin

I'd bet you a beer that your rear sway bar end links are bad.

Someone was kind enough to post a video of the same problem on Youtube. New end links did the trick. Check it out: