Attention Nissan techs, dealer experts, or anyone who knows what to do here!!
I'm having an issue with my truck. After several months of small fixes and diagnostic fixes I'm guessing its a driveline or tranny problem. See below for my problem. If it is in fact a tranny problem I unfortunately have to go through the dealer. I have an 08' w/ 44k on the ticker so it should be covered under the 5yr/60k drivetrain warrenty. I say unfortunately because like others I have never had a good experience with dealers and I'm pretty sure they are trying to screw me regardless wheter I'm buying a vehicle or getting service. Sorry for all the legit dealers/tech but I have had some bad experiences.
Issue: I'm getting a shutter/vibration from the tranny/rearend between 40-60mph in 5th gear while goosing the gas a bit just enough to keep it going. I can replicate it all the way up to 80mph. If just cruising in that range it will vibrate on its own sometimes but not always. Its mainly occurs when I release the throttle and then apply a small amount of throttle again. Its almost like there is play in the tranny/driveline and the release or addition of throttle shocks the truck. Just picture throwing a rock into a lake...a big initial splash then a few seconds of smaller ripples. I can feel the everything from the tranny back shake. Dropping to 4th seems to make it go away or maybe just mask it somewhat. If its vibrating and I really get on the gas it goes away.
1: Balance tires - no change
2: Force balance tires - no change
3: Shims. Tired 1*, 1.5*, and 2* - no change
4: Dealer # 1 check while in during recall fix - no issue found
5: Dealer # 2 in for the vibration - "yeah its there, must be normal"
6: New rear shocks - no change
7: Replaced both u-joints on the rear shaft - no change...maybe a slight reduction
8: lubed slip yoke - no change
9: Pulled front drive shaft and road tested to rule in/out shaft - no change
So my issue now is how do I go about dealing with the dealer/techs. I don't care what anyone says....there is something wrong here. The shutter/vibration is NOT normal for a $40k truck. My dealer experience thus far:
1. Dealer #1 In for recall stuff. The tech takes a ride with me before hand and feel "a little something". He gives it a once over while doing the recall work and sees nothing abnormal. On my own fault they try hard to sell me some $100+ diagnostic fee which I have to pay if nothing is found. I tell them forget it becuase I forsee them saying "nothing found" and eatting $100 for nothing. Hard for me to trust some 24 y/o kid who cares nothing about my truck and his main concern is the service fee.
2. Into dealer #2 for the vibration. This time its my neighbor who is a service manager so I assume he will get to the bottom of it. He feels the vibration some what. They force balance the tires and its still there. "Yeah, we feel it. Must be normal...just drop to 4th when driving around" I can't complain much b/c he did this for free w/ no paperwork being generated probably to my benefit so the normal diagnosis can't be used against me in the future.
My question is how do I correctly go about having the dealer find this issue and fixing it. I'm not talking about going in there and causing a scene. What's stopping these dealers from not finding it or saying its normal then I'm up sh*ts creek w/o a paddle??? My latest idea is going to a private transmission shop for a diagnosis but I have a feeling Nissan won't care about anything but their findings. Recommendations or comments about my issue or dealer game plan??
Sorry for the long post but this truck is pissing me off!
I'm having an issue with my truck. After several months of small fixes and diagnostic fixes I'm guessing its a driveline or tranny problem. See below for my problem. If it is in fact a tranny problem I unfortunately have to go through the dealer. I have an 08' w/ 44k on the ticker so it should be covered under the 5yr/60k drivetrain warrenty. I say unfortunately because like others I have never had a good experience with dealers and I'm pretty sure they are trying to screw me regardless wheter I'm buying a vehicle or getting service. Sorry for all the legit dealers/tech but I have had some bad experiences.
Issue: I'm getting a shutter/vibration from the tranny/rearend between 40-60mph in 5th gear while goosing the gas a bit just enough to keep it going. I can replicate it all the way up to 80mph. If just cruising in that range it will vibrate on its own sometimes but not always. Its mainly occurs when I release the throttle and then apply a small amount of throttle again. Its almost like there is play in the tranny/driveline and the release or addition of throttle shocks the truck. Just picture throwing a rock into a lake...a big initial splash then a few seconds of smaller ripples. I can feel the everything from the tranny back shake. Dropping to 4th seems to make it go away or maybe just mask it somewhat. If its vibrating and I really get on the gas it goes away.
1: Balance tires - no change
2: Force balance tires - no change
3: Shims. Tired 1*, 1.5*, and 2* - no change
4: Dealer # 1 check while in during recall fix - no issue found
5: Dealer # 2 in for the vibration - "yeah its there, must be normal"
6: New rear shocks - no change
7: Replaced both u-joints on the rear shaft - no change...maybe a slight reduction
8: lubed slip yoke - no change
9: Pulled front drive shaft and road tested to rule in/out shaft - no change
So my issue now is how do I go about dealing with the dealer/techs. I don't care what anyone says....there is something wrong here. The shutter/vibration is NOT normal for a $40k truck. My dealer experience thus far:
1. Dealer #1 In for recall stuff. The tech takes a ride with me before hand and feel "a little something". He gives it a once over while doing the recall work and sees nothing abnormal. On my own fault they try hard to sell me some $100+ diagnostic fee which I have to pay if nothing is found. I tell them forget it becuase I forsee them saying "nothing found" and eatting $100 for nothing. Hard for me to trust some 24 y/o kid who cares nothing about my truck and his main concern is the service fee.
2. Into dealer #2 for the vibration. This time its my neighbor who is a service manager so I assume he will get to the bottom of it. He feels the vibration some what. They force balance the tires and its still there. "Yeah, we feel it. Must be normal...just drop to 4th when driving around" I can't complain much b/c he did this for free w/ no paperwork being generated probably to my benefit so the normal diagnosis can't be used against me in the future.
My question is how do I correctly go about having the dealer find this issue and fixing it. I'm not talking about going in there and causing a scene. What's stopping these dealers from not finding it or saying its normal then I'm up sh*ts creek w/o a paddle??? My latest idea is going to a private transmission shop for a diagnosis but I have a feeling Nissan won't care about anything but their findings. Recommendations or comments about my issue or dealer game plan??
Sorry for the long post but this truck is pissing me off!
