Driveline whine...comments?

O'silent1 · 11-09-2005, 10:20 PM

Hey all,
I have an 04 4x4 CC w/ big tow & VDC but no E-locker w/ about 25K miles. I fear that I may be getting ready to experience the dreaded rear end issue but would like some feedback as I know just enough about todays automotive mechanical stuff to get me into big trouble.
A couple weeks ago, I was returning to Phoenix from San Diego pulling a 7K lb. travel trailer. Halfway back, I started to notice (for lack of a better term) a driveline whine. It is detectable (to those who know what to listen for), from 45mph up. At this point, it is hardly noticeable and only apparent under acceleration. As soon as I let off the gas, it goes away. About 2K miles ago, I did change out the rear differentail cover to the finned 05 type and replaced the rear fluid with synthetic. The truck has approximately 3500 miles of towing a 4K lb trailer and another 1500 miles of towing the new 7K lb. trailer. While towing, I am within the hitch weight requirement and use weight distribution bars. I have made an appointment with the local dealership on November 30th to have it checked out (as well as to get the upholstery on the back of the drivers seat restitched & to get the trailer wiring part of the harness replaced as per the recall).
Sooooo, what'dya all think? Is it the pinion gear going bad or is the rear end getting ready to self destruct or something else. Need further info. to make an educated guess? Please ask and I'll supply as much info as I can to the best of my knowledge. Your comments and input would be most appreciated before I take it to the dealership.

Moderators, I put this thread in the general discussion area as I wanted as much feedback as possible, however, if you think it should go into the "Engine, Transmission & Drivetrain" section, see fit to move it.

bestatchess · 11-09-2005, 10:33 PM

I think I'm thinking what I think you're thinking. Whine from the rear at certain speed range & under acceleration is classic ring & pinion problem indicator. I would assume you will be eventually getting a new rear axle.

How many times has the fluid been changed? When was the first change? Was the fluid level low on delivery? If so, when was that corrected? Did you follow the break in for towing procedure in the manual?

O'silent1 · 11-09-2005, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

How many times has the fluid been changed? When was the first change? Was the fluid level low on delivery? If so, when was that corrected? Did you follow the break in for towing procedure in the manual?

Fluid has been changed once at about 23K miles and the old stuff was typical old fluid - nothing unusual. Fluid was NOT low on delivery, I made sure to have that checked right off the bat. Yes, I followed proper towing break in procedure.
Do you think this will be a gradual degradation of performance or an all at once disintegration? We had a 98 Firebird that did somewhat of the same thing and once it started going downhill, it got worse fast.

bestatchess · 11-09-2005, 11:00 PM

O.K., I will make a wild guess. I think it will continue to get worse, but not immediately disintegrate. From the posts I have seen, there seems to be 2 different failure modes (1) gradual ring & pinion with whine and (2) instant disintegration related to the spider gears and/or the carrier shaft pin.

I hope I haven't jinxed you with my guess.

MuskyHunter · 11-10-2005, 12:17 AM

I asked my dealer to change my differenal fluid at 1500 miles. He looked at me like I was nuts. Yesterday with 5400 miles I went in a said that you are probably going to give me a hard time, but I want to change my differential fluid.

I am trying to verify if this is a true statement but he said they just learned that Nissan is recommending that the differential fluid be changed on first engine oil change (3000mi) using the recommended synthetic because the initial oil is "different" but he couldn't clarify what the difference was.

It would be interesting to see if they are using a different oil as a break in oil before the synthetic or if this misinformation. Haven't been able to confirm yet.

bestatchess · 11-10-2005, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuskyHunter

I asked my dealer to change my differenal fluid at 1500 miles. He looked at me like I was nuts. Yesterday with 5400 miles I went in a said that you are probably going to give me a hard time, but I want to change my differential fluid.

I am trying to verify if this is a true statement but he said they just learned that Nissan is recommending that the differential fluid be changed on first engine oil change (3000mi) using the recommended synthetic because the initial oil is "different" but he couldn't clarify what the difference was.

It would be interesting to see if they are using a different oil as a break in oil before the synthetic or if this misinformation. Haven't been able to confirm yet.

I changed mine about 5400 miles also. There were some globules in the initial fill that I attributed to assembly lube. Regardless of what else they have in the initial fill, there were a bunch of what appeared to be metal fines mixed into the oil from break-in that I think should come out early on. If the initial oil is different, I would imagine that they fill it with the cheapest crap they can get on the basis that it saves them money when it is just going to get dumped at 3,000 miles anyway. I think that Jettech posted an oil analysis of the initial engine oil and there didn't seem to be anything special.

ChrisCakes · 11-10-2005, 06:59 AM

I recently had the rear end replaced because of the same "whining" symptoms... I have just over 50,000 miles (1/2 towing 4,000 lb cargo trailers) in the past 20 months. Here is what I posted on another thread:

"1. Rear end just replaced at 48,000 miles ~ Constant gear noise (towing and empty) between 40-70 mph and some harsh clunking when shifting from Park into Reverse starting at 42,000 miles (2 months ago). Did complete 4x4 servicing at 12,000 miles and had old steel cover and regular lube replaced with finned cover and synthetic oil 30,000 miles later at my own cost."

I had the constant whine for about 2 months (6,000 miles)... Other than the noise getting progressively louder (based on same volume setting on same stretch of highway) and the harsh shifting thru Neutral, the read end never actually failed... I did seem to get the SLIP light more often at the uphill corners, but I'm thinking it had more to do with the tread life from the BFG's (1st set replaced at 32,000 miles). I drive a March-built 2004, KC LE 4x4 w/BT, OR, NAV and VDC (no E-lock).

Good Luck!

O'silent1 · 11-10-2005, 08:21 AM

Mine has always had a pretty healthy "clunk" when shifting between reverse and drive though not consistent. Took it to the dealer for this and tried to demonstrate and of course it would not do it. They checked it out anyways and found nothing abnormal.

radiokid · 11-10-2005, 01:17 PM

I am starting to notice a "tone" around 50mph under both accel and decel. Have 17K on a 04 and changed the rear end oil at 500 miles. It was low. Tone changes pitch with speed. Wondering when to report it because if it doesn't hit you over the head, the dealer is a pain in this regard.

bmowne · 11-10-2005, 03:31 PM

I just had mine replaced, I had taken the truck in to have some rattles checked and I also noticed that there was some wet dark spots around the rear-end cover. The service rep looked at the discolorations of the cover and said he though rear axle would need to be replaced because it looked like it was “baking”. Sure enough later in the day he called and said they order a new rear axle because the technician pulled it apart and said it had seen better days. I have 10,5k on the truck and about 1/3 of those miles are pulling a 7k trailer around. I also, changed the fluid around 5k and used the synthetic oil as a replacement.

Old Speed · 11-10-2005, 03:48 PM

i have a 05 with all the synthetic and the finned cover came stock. i looked at the service history and i dont see nissan recommending changing the dif fluid until 30k miles.

*Mike Up* · 11-11-2005, 12:10 PM

I had a howl/vibration at 3500 - 4000 rpm like I was driving on road barriers (the type that are engraved into the side of roads).

When duplicating this so I could show service, it downshifted into passing gear at 4000 rpms. It started jerking back and forth several times until it meshed.

I also have been getting several driveline clunks for no reason. After taking off from a stop, I counted 5 clunks. I was always getting clunks when shifting out of reverse or drive though, but never multiple clunks.

Went to service and explained all the weirdness that was taking place and they immediately said, rear end was going out. They changed 3 with similar symptoms.

All you can do is take it to service and get the rear end repaired or replaced before it leaves you stranded.

Good luck and hope it all works out for you. It's about time Nissan issued a Recall or a letter notifing TSB on this. It could turn into a dangerous situation if your pulling a trailer on the expressway and the rear end fails.

Have a good one.

Daves_Titan · 11-11-2005, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O'silent1

Hey all,
I have an 04 4x4 CC w/ big tow & VDC but no E-locker w/ about 25K miles. I fear that I may be getting ready to experience the dreaded rear end issue but would like some feedback as I know just enough about todays automotive mechanical stuff to get me into big trouble.
A couple weeks ago, I was returning to Phoenix from San Diego pulling a 7K lb. travel trailer. Halfway back, I started to notice (for lack of a better term) a driveline whine. It is detectable (to those who know what to listen for), from 45mph up. At this point, it is hardly noticeable and only apparent under acceleration. As soon as I let off the gas, it goes away. About 2K miles ago, I did change out the rear differentail cover to the finned 05 type and replaced the rear fluid with synthetic. The truck has approximately 3500 miles of towing a 4K lb trailer and another 1500 miles of towing the new 7K lb. trailer. While towing, I am within the hitch weight requirement and use weight distribution bars. I have made an appointment with the local dealership on November 30th to have it checked out (as well as to get the upholstery on the back of the drivers seat restitched & to get the trailer wiring part of the harness replaced as per the recall).
Sooooo, what'dya all think? Is it the pinion gear going bad or is the rear end getting ready to self destruct or something else. Need further info. to make an educated guess? Please ask and I'll supply as much info as I can to the best of my knowledge. Your comments and input would be most appreciated before I take it to the dealership.

I have the same issue! I took it to the dealer and basically was laughed at and said I need to stay off the forums! WTF? They said that alot of the claims for rear end issues have been created by people on the forums. It was a load of BS and on top of that once they saw that I changed the OEM intake they pointed the finger at the intake. So needless to say I have not had the issue fixed yet and need to take sometime off work to b*tch at the dealership to get this resolved. The whinning sound is becoming more clearly everyday.

GOOD LUCK!

*Mike Up* · 11-11-2005, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daves_Titan

I have the same issue! I took it to the dealer and basically was laughed at and said I need to stay off the forums! WTF? They said that alot of the claims for rear end issues have been created by people on the forums. It was a load of BS and on top of that once they saw that I changed the OEM intake they pointed the finger at the intake. So needless to say I have not had the issue fixed yet and need to take sometime off work to b*tch at the dealership to get this resolved. The whinning sound is becoming more clearly everyday.

GOOD LUCK!

Sorry your dealer is an @ss, perhaps you can go to a dealer that cares.

Dealerships get a little hostile when you find better information than they know. My dealer was always concerned with my problems but told me to also caution what was stated here. Then a while after, he was recommending me to see what I could find out here, and also to throw information here as the Recall on the towing harness.

Good luck and have a good one.