Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!

Nissan Pathfinder Noises and Sounds

2

Comments

  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I am curious. Do you have any idea how the drive shaft got bent? Those shafts are pretty sturdy and it would take some considerable force to bend them.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • b1000101b1000101 Member Posts: 5
    I'll let you know. Turns out that it is under warranty, so I'm going to have the dealership fix it on Tuesday.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Thanks. I'm looking forward to your report.

    BTW, that's an interesting user name.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • b1000101b1000101 Member Posts: 5
    The bastards say a bend shaft is not under warranty, because it could only be caused by an impact. But the truck has never been in any such impact. I'm trying to make a case with corporate Nissan to cover this. Damn, not a good time to be between jobs.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    because it could only be caused by an impact.

    That's assuming there was no structural defect in the drive shaft. Even with the best quality control, defective products do make it off the assembly line and out the door. A competent mechanical engineer would be able to determine whether such defects were present.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • b1000101b1000101 Member Posts: 5
    It was covered!!! They wrote it up as caused by excessive play. Sorry, didn't see how bent the shaft was nor was there someone around that I could ask. I doubt it would have to be bent very much to make that vibration, given the speed required to make it vibrate.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Wonderful! I guess that might come under "structural defect." :)

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • ronkennedy61ronkennedy61 Member Posts: 23
    03 pathfinder se 4wd purchased new,74k,10-30 oil(various brands) & fram filter changed every 3k. K&N air filter. uses slightly over1 qt every 3k. always add oil between changes to "full" line. light "knocking" sound when warm & parked downhill started 3 months ago. recently started "knocking" also when level. added "sea foam" to crankcase and no change after 2k. mechanic without stethascope said sounded like coming from piston area but definitely from inside engine . always used 87 octane. never heard "pinging" even when pulling trailer. filled with 89 octane yesteday and "knocking " stopped .don't understand what's going on. possible unrelated problem is lost power once last week for first time ever. Accellerating gradually from stop in drive on slight uphill grade and felt like tranny disengaged from engine. would accellerate, but only to about 40mph at about 3300 rpm. tranny shop found zero error codes on computer.
  • 99accent99accent Member Posts: 237
    yes mine does that and when I have my dog in the back she goes nuts
  • 99accent99accent Member Posts: 237
    in park only running if I step on the brake to move the shifter q automatic I here a solinoid type click ,then in drive or nutral fine ,what is this under the consol near the shift. any body hear this noise 2003 pATHY
  • asaasa Member Posts: 359
    The noise you hear after starting and driving about 15 Yards is your anti-lock brake system testing itself. Perfectly normal.
  • scrapscrap Member Posts: 8
    I have an 06 Pathfinder that shutters at around 40 mph, the dealer is telling me I need both the rear drive shaft and front prop shafts replaced. I've contacted other repair shops, most are saying the CV joint may be the only thing that needs replacing, and that I'm being sold a bill of goods by the dealership. Any thoughts?
  • mypathsucksmypathsucks Member Posts: 2
    my pathfinder had tranny replaced at 87K miiles, at 120K, ELECtric sensor went out and caused it to not able to start" like out of gas" but that cost me $700,

    now at 135K the fooking thing had radiator hose/ intake heater hose "valve" broke off" lol, $120 , 2 days later.. i swear to god, and strike me with lightning if im lying..

    the timing belt ', timing is knocking loud, when rev, but quiet when driving.. no power loss. will bring to local mechanic, since NISSAN dealers a rip off..

    its still worth 11K, ,lol i paid 33K 5 years ago!
  • mypathsucksmypathsucks Member Posts: 2
    my o5 knocks, but no power loss, soundslike lifters, or timing fan but
    it directly above the valve..

    recently my car kind of overheated, but it ran, so i barely got to mechanic, left

    ran fine, then the knock started..
  • 99accent99accent Member Posts: 237
    TO TIDESTER, these type engine need a steady maintanence oil and filter air filters changes and timing belts at 60 K If you dont do it they fail just llike most engines then things get costly so maybe a new engine might be the right way to go.or just have the timing belt done and keep your fingers crossed.
  • drschizoiddrschizoid Member Posts: 2
    I am annoyed by this knocking sound from 10-20 MPH, but above that it's fine. The mechanic told me that it is probably the transfer case? Anyone experience that with NIssan Path 06?

    Thanks,
  • 99accent99accent Member Posts: 237
    where is it from the engine or tranny ? egine valves or knock sensor, tranny- needs bearings or outer axles going bad :)
  • drschizoiddrschizoid Member Posts: 2
    I had a mechanic look at it and he said that it's U joints. The other one said it might be transfer case? I have no clue.
  • 99accent99accent Member Posts: 237
    sounds like u joints , easy test drive real slow in a parking lot out it in 4 wheel drive, start out real slow with windows open and listen for front u joints clicking while makeing a hard turn to left then to the right . :sick:
  • bikeguybikeguy Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2006 pathfinder with 73K on it, I also have a front end vibration. Front struts and wheel bearings were replaced 3,000 miles ago. Front tires were cupped, so I thought this was still causing the problem. I just put new tires on it today, the vibration is still there at 50mph and get worse until the whole vehicle is shaking at 70mph. Any suggestions? I am calling Nissan on Monday to see if it can be figured out.
  • boatingboyboatingboy Member Posts: 1
    Did you resolve? Shortly after I purchased a 2006 PF, I hit a pot hole and from that point forward there is an intermitant squeek that I can't seem to trace. The dealership replaced the fuel tank (?!) and that didn't help. They then said it was the spare tire chain. They taped it with elec. tape but that didn't help. Sometimes I can replicate the sound by closeing the car door after the car is stopped and the engine is turned off. Help!... anyone!
  • 99accent99accent Member Posts: 237
    If the engine is off and you shut the door what kind of noise comes from the engine, like a loose motor mount
  • 99accent99accent Member Posts: 237
    i suggest a compression test if the piston is knocking it will show up low compression
  • cando1cando1 Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2006 pathfinder and have 62k on it and have had viberation problems as well for a short while. At first i thought it was the tires which i replaced and still viberation at 40 mph and up. I took it to a transmission shop that i knew and we started looking at different things. We thought it could be the drive shaft and U joints in the back and he checked both and they seemed to be OK. We disconnected the front wheel drive shaft , test drove the vehicle and the viberation stopped. It appears that the front drive shaft still rotates even if the vehicle is NOT in four wheel drive. He checked the U joints for the front wheel drive and they were bad so i am about to replace them. He says that he has seen a few pathfinders with viberation of this sort and it seems to be Bad U Joints front or back or the Drive shaft being out of balance are the problem. Hope this helps..
  • cando1cando1 Member Posts: 3
    I would check out those CV joints as the front ones were the problem with my vehicle.
  • cando1cando1 Member Posts: 3
    My 2006 pathfinders had viberation as well at 40 mph and over. I took it to a transmission shop i knew and we found out that the front drive shaft appears to turns even thought the vehicle is Not in 4 wheel drive. The problem for me was the front U/ CV joints were bad. Apparantly if you disconnect the front wheel drive and test the vehicle on the road and if the viberation is no longer there that should indicate some sort of front drive problem. Hope this helps you.
  • 99accent99accent Member Posts: 237
    yes they can go bad the first indication is a clicking sound while doing a tight turn going slow ;)
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    You can eyeball the boots for cracks and tears too. Good thing to check at every tire rotation.
  • 99accent99accent Member Posts: 237
    yes this is a very good idea while they have the tire off check those boots,If you can ask they guy doing the job spray a little silicon on the boots it keeps the rubber softer to last longer.
  • xlpathxlpath Member Posts: 3
    I have a 1999.5 pathfinder. It has a vibration only while its in four wheel drive. I have replaced U joints on the front drive shaft and the vibration is still there. What should i check next. I am thinking CV joints but how do you check if they are shot !! :(
  • xlpathxlpath Member Posts: 3
    I have now changed both front CV joints and half shafts !!! What's next !!!
    :sick:
  • rmb0518rmb0518 Member Posts: 1
    i have an '01 pathfinder, 2wd. recently replaced the center support bearing and eliminated the noise but then started this vibration at 40mph. was told to replace u-joint, still had vibration. was told to balance drive shaft, still have it. now being told by dealer that entire drive shaft assembly needs to be replaced $785. i'm not sure this is necessary and am searching for answers.
    what was the outcome with yours?
    thanks,
    rmb0518
  • xlpathxlpath Member Posts: 3
    I havn't fixed the problem yet. I think the next step is input berings or rebuild the transfer case ( only because the vibration is only when i'm in 4x4 ). :confuse:
  • racerx70racerx70 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2006 Pathfinder SE with 55k. I had a similar problem. I didn't realize it until my wife took my car out for a highway trip. She came back saying the tires must not have been balanced properly. I typically drive around town and don't get the speed up over 45 much. I took it out for a drive on the highway and it started shaking and shuddering around 50, and it only got worse like the wheels were going to fly off if I tried to go over 60 mph. I took it right into the tire shop and had them balance the tires again. They apologized and the tech wanted to know who balanced them and I said that he did, so i figured problem solved.
    I also noticed that whenever the car was moving it sounded as if someone was sticking a stick in my spokes if i was riding a bike. I promptly took into the Nissan dealer who told me the U joint & propeller shaft needed to be replaced, but no worries since it is covered under the power train warranty.
  • rlockerlocke Member Posts: 1
    I also have a 2005 pathfinder with the same squeaking noise in reverse. It just started. Did you ever figure out what was causing it? Email me at rlocke @ ccpromotional. com
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Please do not include your email address in postings to our Forums.

    Thanks!

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • azpathmanazpathman Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2010
    tik,tik,tik, is what I hear .when i first drove it the sound went away after a couple of miles at the light could not hear it run so i bought it thinking oil change.oil is new but sound does not go away .if the timing belt needs replacement would i hear ticking..can you safely adjust valves .I've always had old chevy's..nice and basic.does the knock sensor cuase a tik,tik,tik.I've used hose to listen to valve train where it seems to be coming from but it is hard to pin point when i listen thru hose it goes away but my other ear seems to hear it on other side of motor.not a rod in my opinion definatly sounds like lifter ,valve or sloppy push rod if it were my chevy .any help much appreciated :confuse: engine seems sound i think somethin in exhuast :confuse:
  • jag02jag02 Member Posts: 4
    edited September 2010
    My 2005 pathfinder has a heavy humming vibration at speeds above 60km/h. Only happens when pressing gas pedal. If pedal not pressed, vibration goes away.
    Sounds similar to driving with rear windows down at high speed. A deafening sound.
    Vehicle regularly serviced.
    Any suggestions.
  • jag02jag02 Member Posts: 4
    Brake rotors are known culprits to cause front end vibrations
  • jag02jag02 Member Posts: 4
    This is an aerodynamic problem due to design and shape of vehicle.No fix. keep windows 1/4 open
  • jag02jag02 Member Posts: 4
    2005 pathfinder has timimg chain, not belt
  • 99accent99accent Member Posts: 237
    2003` pathfinder le after I did a oil change with a Nissan filter in which I have a Nissan filter on it before this one, I used castrol 5x30 ,thats whats written all over the manual to use, on the last oil change I used penzoil 10x30 . so now when I'm stopped at an idle I hear a slight knock sound on the right bank of the engine ,so I used my stethoscope to hear it better on the engine and it just sounds normal ,I never noticed this noise before with the 10x 30 oil and a Nissan filter what could it be a knock sensor? only 63,000 on the engine original owner. V6
  • nicholaswnicholasw Member Posts: 1
    I the exact same problem, I've replaced the U-joints in the front shaft, new shocks, had the CV joints and wheel hubs checked for excessive play all are good. Tires balanced, alignment. Brake rotors are good.

    Have you had any luck getting yours fixed?
  • jdmhfxjdmhfx Member Posts: 2
    Did you ever find out what this problem was? It sounds identical to what I am going through now.
  • mlaniermlanier Member Posts: 23
    This happened to my o5 PF It is the front drive shaft they have had a bad rep. for going bad. They click, vibrate, and humm at high speeds.
    Nissan fixed mine still under warranty. Mech told me they have been having problems with them.
  • santiagorsantiagor Member Posts: 2
    Excuseme, is yours an 2010 Pathfinder, because mine it is, and the mechanics at the dealers keep sayng me that the noise come from the injectors and the say it is normal, that answer doesn't really satisfied me especially coming from a few towsand miles car, have you had any look with it yet? Thanks Santiago.
  • santiagorsantiagor Member Posts: 2
    Have any of you experience an tic tic tic noise on a 2010 pathfinder( SE V6)
    Because mine does and the mechanics at two different dealers keep sayng me that it comes from the injectors and is normal.
    I been driving new cars for over 20 years and this is the first time that one of them have such kind of noise.
    And also i feel the truck doesn't have the same acceleration now with 8.000 miles on than whenit comes out of the dealer.

    Any help, i really apreciatte. Thanks Santiago.
  • 99accent99accent Member Posts: 237
    well I took a picture and with sound and put it on you tube, and a good mechanic technician said it could be the timing chain tensioner not working properly or clogged up where oil suppose to go through it .
  • witts_endwitts_end Member Posts: 6
    Ahhhhh....the Pathfinder.....lovely vehicle, isn't it?!?!?!?! Please accept my apologies in advance....after replacing u joints, mutiple sensors, radiator and transmission (x2), I have grown a little bitter about Nisssan as a company and Pathfinder as a product. So, after I had my transmission replaced, one day in to driving it and I am noticing a distinct whistling while it is shifting through the gears. Now, I drive this p.o.s. everyday and this noise was not there prior to the service. I have had it back tothe repair shop twice, they can't find the source. I am certainly not a mechanic but doesn't it stand to reason that there may be something going on within the transmission that is causing this annoyance? Please help!!!!
  • 99accent99accent Member Posts: 237
    I have been there enough times .
    I had an engine problem with mine once that was intermittent , dies on the road and restarts when cooled off, so after many returns and under warranty they replaced coils wires, plugs, timing belt and more, its problem wasn't fixed, so I got in touch with a rep from main headquarters for them and insisted I talked to a diagnostic specialist, he was very understanding so from 1200 miles away he called the dealer and walked them through the diagnostic to find it was a transmission sending speed sensor ,that never gave any trouble until I let them do their great transmission flush and they must have broke the sensor ,all I can say is I should have never let them flush the tranny .there wasn't anything wrong before that. LOL
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles